Being threathend

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What stand do you take or what u do when someone is threathing and cursing a you and he is standing right in front of you and looks like he can attack you any moment, should you attack first before he does or rather wait and make yourself fighting ready in ur mind?[/b]

The position you take should place you in a favorable position to appear passive and non-threatening, whilst also allowing you to reflexively respond if he decides to sucker punch you, or strike first if you feel the situation is spiraling out of control.

Most of the leaders in self protection at the moment all use some variation of what ShotokanKid mentioned. Both hands up and open around shoulder height, one foot slightly angled back. This is not a static position, your hands move around whilst your talking but are maintained between yourself and the aggressor to allow for protection if required. For more on this check out the following thread:

http://www.karateforums.com/pre-fight-posture-vt30818.html?highlight=strike+first

Should you hit first? It depends. Your first priority should be to verbally diffuse the situation. Saying "i dont want to fight" and walking away is not an effective way to diffuse a situation. You need to listen to what the person is actually saying to you and try to connect with them in someway. Talk to them on their level, DONT act like the victim and scream your head off has 1 person suggested in an earlier post, thats a recipe for making them more hostile. Also dont challenge them, but take control of the situation and explain your position to them.

If for whatever reason this doesnt calm them down and the situation is getting worse, they are shoving you, not listening to anything your saying, or their friends are starting to move towards you also, then you need to act. Striking first is your best chance of survival in this kind of situation. Regardless of weather its honorable or not to strike first is besides the point in a situation where you are likely to get injured or killed if you dont act first. For more info on pre-emptive strikes check out this thread: http://www.karateforums.com/should-you-punch-first-vt29900.html?highlight=strike+first

Hope this helps.

[Existence_is _suffering]

To me, verbal diffusion is the key. While doing this I maintain a short distance (just out of punch range, but within snap-kick range, if I know the person to be violent I usually try to keep a bit back), hold my hands open, palms towards them at between my waist and chest height (once again depending on A. If I know the person to be violent. B. If I don't know the person at all.) And talk calmly, clearly and softly, but not as low as to let them think I'm muttering things under my breath or anything (hey, some people are crazy! ) While I'm doing this I "scope-out" the target, (body-language, size/ fitness= as to estimate speed and strength etc., take note of any stances shifting of weight=may tell me of an incoming attack and if they've had training and eyes=tells me if they're intoxicated or whatever, may also give away a possible attack). I also take notice of surroundings (any friends he has, possible weapons, proximity to walls/obstacles etc.) If a person makes a grab for me, depending on my risk assesment strategy I either leave it (If I know them to be all talk) or use their force to spin them around/ put off balance (works well if they're not overly fired up but drunk from experience. Granted, this one is more for people you know/ don't particularly want to hurt). Put them in a pain compliance hold (More sober people). I've found when facing someone who has induced a stimulant, eg. speed, it is better to simply dodgeand weave until you have a chance to escape (unless I felt if they would vent on someone else, in which case I would try to position myself for a pacifying strike, eg. K.O., nerve-strike(?)maybe a break of some kind)..

All after the grab applies unless they have a weapon, in which case I would A. Apply a pain-submission technique that would disarm them, or a Aikido throw that left me in control of it/out of reach. B. If I believe that I'm in imminent danger I would either go for a break move (hapkido aikido throw or a hard knife-hand to the throat/bridge of nose (exact target would rely on whether or not I believe that the opponent would get up/ continue the altercation with a broken nose.

I'm just speaking from experience and what has and that (from past experience) I believe would work. Please feel free to critique and ask questions and I will do my best to give you a satisfactory answer!

[Throwdown0850]

always keep your distance.. a little longer the legs length of the attacker..