Will you attack first or you wait?

[cross]

Plus I get to react to them and have them come into my space on my terms.

 

Them attacking you is actually them doing what they want, when they want, on their terms.

[Mr. Mike]

I would also wait for them to commit. But only if it is unavoidable.

 

If it came down to it, and if a lethal weapon was involved, I may make the first move, since the mere presence of the weapon aludes to the attacker's intent.

[Hengest]

If it came down to it, and if a lethal weapon was involved, I may make the first move, since the mere presence of the weapon aludes to the attacker's intent.

 

Not necessarily. There's an old adage about knife-wielding foes: showers don't use and users don't show.

 

Often, a guy who has a knife and is willing to use it won't produce it before the fight starts. He'll keep it concealed until he's in close and then it's usually too late.

 

This is exactly why I advocate pre-emptive striking.

[Sauzin]

I completely agree that you don't often know what your opponent has in terms of weapons until he uses it. However, whether he has a weapon or doesn't, makes little difference when it comes to choosing when to attack. His attack usually starts prior to the weapon being used anyway. The way I see it moving aggressively in range to attack is an attack on its own weapon or no. I've got a bubble that happens to be a little over arm's length. If an aggressor moves into that bubble, that movement alone is an attack. He has committed to some degree the moment or just before he begins that motion. And in a sense motion is motion. Be it a punch, grab, cut, push, or to get in my face. He becomes vulnerable when he commits to any of these. The way I see it I'm either leaving my position or defending it. His level of commitment decides that.

 

From a legal perspective if you've made every attempt to leave, your hands are open, up, and you are very vocal about not wanting to fight you are likely covered. It's very unlikely that an observer will be so astute as to see that he didn't strike first when he's coming at you aggressively and you are making so many intentionally obvious attempts to avoid the fight.

[ShotokanKid]

let them hit you first but block. then you can haul them in and get them busted for assault after you use "self defense" and beat the living daylights out of them.

[Hengest]

However, whether he has a weapon or doesn't, makes little difference when it comes to choosing when to attack.

 

I agree. Hit first then you don't need to worry about whether he's tooled up or not.

[cross]

let them hit you first but block. then you can haul them in and get them busted for assault after you use "self defense" and beat the living daylights out of them.

 

Sounds good in theory, maybe you should try the little test i set for P.A.L in an earlier post in this topic. Then tell us what you think.

[Taku-Shimazu]

Are you talking about organised or attack fights?

 

organised, I would wait then try to counter their first move to put them off balance (Mind and body) and then try a rapid combo to be quick and efficient.

 

Attacked, I would still wait and then see what they are capable of, any weapons? because you don't wanna Tonfa someone unless they are 'armed' too. I also wait to see if they have a style because most people that attack you (i would guess) would have no style and just swing at you like a thug.

[cross]

I would still wait and then see what they are capable of

 

What happens if you find out that they are capable off knocking you out? and they actually do it? There's no second chances.

I also wait to see if they have a style

I would say that anytime you find yourself "waiting" in a fight you are doing the wrong thing. You should either be getting yourself into a better position for escape or stopping the other guy from hurting you.

[delli04]

This is neither about sparring nor a life/death situation, it’s about a normal confrontation on a street or stadium without any weapons involve.

 

I pride myself in not finding myself in these types of situations, but if I did then I would try to do everything I could to not fight. Now if he attacks me well I guess my views just changed. I would wait. Why fight if I don't have to?