What's your street experience?

[Kirves]

What's your street experience?

[sano]

i fought outside a lot some i started other i got jumped for no reason.

[Tombstone]

Not really sure which way i should vote. I haven't really been in a serious fight since I got out of school. Go figure.

[Martial_Artist]

I've been attacked several times, but not because I was a jerk or because the neighborhood is bad--it's actually good.

 

I didn't vote because none of the responses applied to me.

[sansoouser]

well, you could say i start some of them. I blame it on my Irish heritage, hot heads, and i have short man syndrome =( I act tough because I am short, and don't back down

[Tibby]

I get into a bunch of little skirmishes. Where I live, if they rednecks here you are in any kind of martial art, they line up to test there skills. lol

[pmh1nic]

I had numerous fights as a teenager growing up in Manhattan and in The Bronx (probably 20 ~ 25 during that time). Most were very quick (a barage of punches to a takedown, technical knockout or a choke). This was 30 years ago before I had any formal martial arts training. Acknowledging a threat early on, getting the first punch in and sustaining a barage of punches is almost unbeatable. At 5'6" and 140 lbs most of my fights were with guys bigger than me and being small you don't have a lot to give away.

 

The biggest mistake most people make is letting a potential attacker close the distance (getting within striking distance where the attacker doesn't have to step/commit to striking). You have to have very fast reflexes to move or block an attack from this distance. For most it is essential that you maintain a distance from the attacker that allows you time to react to a punch or kick.

[JohnnyS]

I used to get in a lot of fights when working as a bouncer, but I haven't been in a fight since then, nor did I get in any fights outside work.

[pmh1nic]

P.S. Reacting is one thing, reacting properly is another. Stepping straight back or leaning backwards or to one side or another are reactions that can put you at a disadvantage. Blocking, angling, moving your base while maintaining your balance are key ingrediates in effectively counter an attack.

[Warp Spider]

I had a group of people try to mug me and two friends once.. unfortunately they were a fairly organized group, 6 people surrounded me with another group of 6 a short distance away so as not to draw a lot of attention. One of my friends made enough of a distraction for me to get away, then he took off himself. The third guy ran with me when I escaped the circle.