should you punch first?

[bushido_man96]

If it would go to court though, when the judge finds out that you are a Martial Artist will ask the question Why did you not just defend yourself without hurting the attacker?

I don't think that a judge would really ask that kind of question. It will be based on level of threat, and how it was handled. It all goes back to use of force.

[cross]

If it would go to court though, when the judge finds out that you are a Martial Artist will ask the question Why did you not just defend yourself without hurting the attacker?

I don't think that a judge would really ask that kind of question. It will be based on level of threat, and how it was handled. It all goes back to use of force.

I tend to agree with bushido_man96... If things turn physical it would be quiet difficult to effectively defend yourself with hurting the attacker one way or another. Its the amount of damage in relation to the threat that would be taken into consideration.

[baronbvp]

Exactly - proportional response.

[stejitsu]

An old school ju jitsu instructor i used to train with (who has sadly deceased) used to say;

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''First in First served''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

This rings true in my eyes. Wait for a chance to counter and you may be counting your teeth on the pavement!!!!!

[bushido_man96]

An old school ju jitsu instructor i used to train with (who has sadly deceased) used to say;

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''First in First served''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

This rings true in my eyes. Wait for a chance to counter and you may be counting your teeth on the pavement!!!!!

I like that saying. It rings true, I think. No point in waiting for it.

[baronbvp]

"First in, first served" is a defensive term that means the first opponent toward you gets hit/thrown/killed first. It doesn't mean you hit first. I believe that saying comes from foxholes getting overrun.

Another saying is "shoot the closest alligator to the boat." Either way, the highest threat is served (by you) first.

[Sensei Tom OBrien]

I believe you should try to avoid a confrontation at any cost. If you can't avoid it and it is imminent then you should pull out all the stops and attack with 'fudoshin'. Here is what that means:

Fudoshin: [whenever] someone is faced with a difficult situation, he can do as usual with [an] unshakable mind.

--Inoue Tsuyoshi Munetoshi, 18th soke, Hontai Yoshin Ryu

To achieve this mental state and the practiced ability of unhesitating and appropriate response, there is at least one critical prescription: training. Dedicated, consistent and ardent training. Such training allows the practitioner's techniques to become expert and natural movements--movements performed like our everyday motions of walking, eating, or brushing our teeth--without need for stringent conscious control. Furthermore, while training to attain this state of technical mastery in which the technique becomes the outward expression of an "artless art," the karateka learns to confront and ultimately master his fears and doubts.

The other concept to keep in mind is Iken Isatsu, meaning 'one strike one kill' the true training of karate.

Having said all that although I am a martial artist I am also from 'Hell's Kitchen' and the guy who hits first and hits hard usually wins the fight.

Thanks,

Sensei Tom

[bushido_man96]

Many people question how you know when it becomes applicable to strike first.

There are warning signs, if you know what to look for, that will give the opponent up. Clenched teeth will advertise that the attacker is gearing up to strike, and is not calming down. Also, watch to see if they clinch their fists up. That is a sign of a possible incoming strike.

If you notice these signs after attempting to de-escalate the situation, you could probably justify a pre-emptive strike.

[cross]

Many people question how you know when it becomes applicable to strike first.

There are warning signs, if you know what to look for, that will give the opponent up. Clenched teeth will advertise that the attacker is gearing up to strike, and is not calming down. Also, watch to see if they clinch their fists up. That is a sign of a possible incoming strike.

If you notice these signs after attempting to de-escalate the situation, you could probably justify a pre-emptive strike.

Well said bushido_man96.

[longarm25]

just thought i should mention this... it doesnt matter if they surrounded you and were just about to beat you to oblivion, you attack first, you risk assault charges...

so i personally would wait for them to at least have some limb coming at me before hitting them (still premptive, they will go for the big obvious wind up, all u need is a quick jab to shake em up a bit, then u go with the full on attack) of course the best thing to do, is to take ure keys, put em in ure hand, and make them count...

Not if you can out write the bad guys in your statement to the police

if you are outnum,bered 5 to 2 and are surrounded I think you can clearly articulate that you were in fear for your life