should you punch first?

[cross]

Does any of that help little kicker?

[NightOwl]

Fights usually start before any actual punches are thrown...the key is knowing when it has reached that point. But once you've gotten there it is a good idea to make the first move.

Edited January 3, 2007 by NightOwl

[patusai]

All I know is that in the old west gunfighting days most gunfights were not "even" as they show on TV. Some had cocked guns hidden under ponchos and other trickery to gain an advantage.

I agree with Cross when he suggested attach if you feel you need to get out of there. A face shot is probably not the best Idea, as Cross suggested. I think that I would try to do something that would limit the other guys mobility...but then that is just me.

[cross]

I think that I would try to do something that would limit the other guys mobility...but then that is just me.

Any examples?

[patusai]

I think that I would try to do something that would limit the other guys mobility...but then that is just me.

Any examples?

I'd go for the legs probably. Exactly how, I never gave it much thought

[a_ninja]

No because you cant always tell what is going to happen. But stan your ground and show them that your not scared or they will rush you.and remember a good fight is one that didnt happen.

[cross]

No because you cant always tell what is going to happen. But stan your ground and show them that your not scared or they will rush you.and remember a good fight is one that didnt happen.

I agree that you will never know what will happen and that its best to avoid a fight. But avoiding isnt possible, standing your ground wont do you any favours, it just gives the attacker more time to impose his/her will on you.

[DoNkEySlAyEr]

Guys, guys, we're forgetting that street fighting is inherently dirty. You want a disabling blow? You want loss of mobility? Hit him in the throat or something. (Nooo, you won't kill him). But once he can't breathe quite right, he's out of the picture. If you're a pro Thai Boxer, a leg kick will certainly drop a guy too. But going for the throat, I think, even more than the eyes and groin, is the most effective and simple.

[cross]

Guys, guys, we're forgetting that street fighting is inherently dirty. You want a disabling blow? You want loss of mobility? Hit him in the throat or something. (Nooo, you won't kill him). But once he can't breathe quite right, he's out of the picture. If you're a pro Thai Boxer, a leg kick will certainly drop a guy too. But going for the throat, I think, even more than the eyes and groin, is the most effective and simple.

I agree in part, and would like to add that gaining access to attack the throat is rarely direct. You will most likely need to attack other areas to create a distraction or make the opening, but it obviously depends on what your opponent is offering you at the time.

[Shotokan Dan]

This sounds like a difficult situation: you're surrounded, outnumbered, and things are about to get nasty. I've never had the misfortune to be surrounded like this, but if I was, my first thought would be: can I get away and remove myself from the situation without resorting to physical violence?

If the answer to that is no, then I would probably use a pre-emptive strike or some kind of stun technique for self-defense purposes -and within reasonable force- in order to allow myself to get away.

I suppose the key words are self defense and reasonable force. I don't think fighting is ever ideal, but in some situations you have no choice. You also have to consider the law and make sure you only use techniques for defence rather than attack. You also need to consider the level of damage your technique is likely to inflict, and make sure you only do what you need to get away.

As I said, a difficult one...but violence (in my opinion) should be the very last resort.