Tai Sabaki

[tommarker]

I thought I'd bring the other discussion over here, since I didn't want to hijack the combat hapkido discussion.

they were teaching things like charging into combat with your head down and go straight for them like a foot ball player

 

are you guys saying that bold agression isn't effective? i've watched quite a few black belts get steamrolled by guys doing the strategy described above.

 

how would you deal with someone like warren sapp who just lowered his head and came right in at you? punch him in the jaw? (look up who warren sapp is before you answer )

 

I've generally found that if someone is charging at me, simply sidestep them and let them go flying past. No sense wasting needless energy. Also, try to make sure a sturdy wall is behind you as you do this.

 

What if you're stuck in an area where side stepping is impossible. A narrow hallway or alley?

 

Tom makes excellent points I'd say on a charging attacker. There are many body shifting techniques designed for just such an occurance, but if you aren't trained in them, and don't practice them often (like daily), they won't work for you when you need them.

[tommarker]

Now, I saw the Karate Kid again on TV this weekend, and I saw how Daniel-san beautifully evaded the charging attacks with a side stepping roundhouse (And this was before his valuable lessons in Okinawa with the swinging hook) and I agree that knowing how to move and practicing it is a great strategy.

 

But not all guys announce their intention to tackle you from 10 yards away. A properly motivated football player (high school or collegiate) offensive lineman could probably create a lot of trouble for someone... trained or not. Those guys are trained to just explode off the line. No need for a big running start like a bull coming for a matador

 

Just something to think about before you completely dismiss it. You might find yourself picking your butt up off the ground while you were too busy scoffing such an unsophisticated attack! Mind you, teaching this in a karate school is a little odd, and will probably just result in some really half-assed attacks at an aggressive charge... nothing like you'd see from a rugby or football player

[MichiganTKD]

Some possible responses (other than simply evading):

 

1. Tae Kwon Do-front kick or knee to the face to stop them, followed by elbow to the base of the neck. Keep in mind, if their head is lowered while they charge, you probably won't be able to kick their stomach.

 

2. Judo-depending on how much room you have, you could lie on your back, place your foot in their stomach, and send them flying over you.

 

Another technique: jump over them as they come charging at you, like a leapfrog, especially if there is no room to sidestep.

[delta1]

A front kick to the face will not stop his momentum, and you'll be more likely to get a knee shot in than a kick, which means he's about to bowl you over backwards no matter how hard you hit him. Knock him unconscious, and you're still going over unless you deal with the momentum or redirect.

 

I actually used the old roll and leg toss method when I was in school, but I don't think I'd want to depend on it. As for jumping over him, I've never trained for attacks on a trampoline, but... .

 

If his head is down, you are half way to where you want to be to start with. Put both your hands on top/back of his head to slow his momentum, and redirect the rest to the pavement.

 

Sidesteping is good, but you can also step back and to one side with your near hand placed top/back of his head to control his momentum and direction (to an extent). Then as you turn, attack him with kicks and strikes. If he got an arm on you, an elbow break works good here. Even if you don't get the break, the undererhook can be used to put him where you want him.

 

The wrestlers cross face and sprawl works good if he's on you too quick for the other moves. Main thing is not to get set back on your heels. Another in close check is to drop both elbows to block at his shoulders, then grab the back of his neck and pull down as you lay your chest on top of him and kick your feet out, spining to the side for position. Even if he does get his arms around you, get those feet back out wide and lay on top of him.

 

Ask the grapplers, I bet they can give you volumes on defending the 'football charge'. But if you havn't tried it under force, you'll probably do something silly and end up flat of your back. Heck, I thought I had one of the sorry buggers once, and he put some kind of flying guard and headlock on me. I didn't football charge him, but I made the mistake of bending forward to grab him. Silly me! I was had before we hit the ground.