Fundamentals

• Recognize patterns of visible speech
• Read the full face, not just lips
• Use context to fill gaps
• Build speed through practice

What To Read

• Track gaze and eye movement
• Watch cheek tension and puffing
• Note lip shape and rounding
• Read jaw drop and chin shifts

Conditions

• Favor front lighting, avoid backlight
• Hold one to three meters
• Let high noise cover your watching
• Keep a natural eye line

Phoneme Shapes

• P, B, M close the lips
• F, V touch lip to teeth
• S, Z stretch lips back narrow
• O, U round the lips forward

Ambiguity

• Know many sounds look identical
• Separate P, B, M by context
• Use word structure to decide
• Lean on facial cues

Tactical Use

• Sit off the target's sight line
• Use windows and screens as mirrors
• Combine tone, gesture, and context
• Confirm rather than guess

Limitations

• Expect beards and hands to obstruct
• Distance past ten meters kills accuracy
• Take partial reads over bad reads
• Verify before you act