Comments on: What do you Do if he Took Your Best Shot!? /what-do-you-do-if-he-took-your-best-shot/ Reviews of common self-defense, karate, and MMA issues Sun, 15 Jul 2012 03:47:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Zara /what-do-you-do-if-he-took-your-best-shot/comment-page-1/#comment-1984 Zara Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:56:23 +0000 /?p=1507#comment-1984 There is indeed the problem of strength and size (always a problem, especially in ground-fighting): he will be pumped up and give it all he's got and this will complicate things. I didn't say it would be easy (there simply is no magic bullet in fighting, especially not in those desperate situations) but with training and experience you'll at least have a fighting chance. If you do nothing you're dead anyway, might aswell put up a struggle. Strength and size can be negated (up to a point anyway) by superior technique and experience (in sparring, tournaments), this is why it pays to spend at least some time learning the basics of groundfighting (proper positioning, a few basic submission-combo's and a few escapes will go a long way against someone with no training at all). What I would do (theoretically speaking, I've never been in a fight with a bodybuilder on dope) is to go for the triangle from the guard (if you're quick and shift your bodyweight properly there's a good chance you'll get it) and choke him out. Another option I like (basically the first defense we were taught from that position) is put one foot on his hip, control the arms, push him away, bring the other leg over and kick him away. This may not take him out but at least you'll be able to get back up and run or continue the fight on your feet. It's always a good idea to grab and control the head (if it is within reach, otherwise use your hips and arms to bring it there): this does not rely on strength but basic body mechanics and you'll be able to turn him over. From there I usually go for the double forearm carotid-choke or you can just smash his head into the ground. Again relying on the principle that a knockout relies on the brain getting pounded against the skull, not on pain-compliance. I know this sounds easy enough but it is hard to do under realistic conditions, that is wy you need to train alot and spar every once in a while. This is still not a garantee it'll work for real but at least you upped the odds and this is truly all the MA can really give you, the rest (balls, heart, fighting-spirit, will) must come from within you. I think you know that better than most. There is indeed the problem of strength and size (always a problem, especially in ground-fighting): he will be pumped up and give it all he’s got and this will complicate things. I didn’t say it would be easy (there simply is no magic bullet in fighting, especially not in those desperate situations) but with training and experience you’ll at least have a fighting chance. If you do nothing you’re dead anyway, might aswell put up a struggle. Strength and size can be negated (up to a point anyway) by superior technique and experience (in sparring, tournaments), this is why it pays to spend at least some time learning the basics of groundfighting (proper positioning, a few basic submission-combo’s and a few escapes will go a long way against someone with no training at all). What I would do (theoretically speaking, I’ve never been in a fight with a bodybuilder on dope) is to go for the triangle from the guard (if you’re quick and shift your bodyweight properly there’s a good chance you’ll get it) and choke him out. Another option I like (basically the first defense we were taught from that position) is put one foot on his hip, control the arms, push him away, bring the other leg over and kick him away. This may not take him out but at least you’ll be able to get back up and run or continue the fight on your feet. It’s always a good idea to grab and control the head (if it is within reach, otherwise use your hips and arms to bring it there): this does not rely on strength but basic body mechanics and you’ll be able to turn him over. From there I usually go for the double forearm carotid-choke or you can just smash his head into the ground. Again relying on the principle that a knockout relies on the brain getting pounded against the skull, not on pain-compliance. I know this sounds easy enough but it is hard to do under realistic conditions, that is wy you need to train alot and spar every once in a while. This is still not a garantee it’ll work for real but at least you upped the odds and this is truly all the MA can really give you, the rest (balls, heart, fighting-spirit, will) must come from within you. I think you know that better than most.

]]> By: John W. Zimmer /what-do-you-do-if-he-took-your-best-shot/comment-page-1/#comment-1981 John W. Zimmer Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:24:27 +0000 /?p=1507#comment-1981 Hi Zara, Thanks for sharing your insights. It is not an easy situation to face if someone is not feeling pain. I agree that running would be the best way out many times! But if you have to stay and end up grappling - I like how you pointed out that the choke would still be effective if you are caught. The only worry I would have is crazy and drugged out people can seem super strong. Hi Zara,

Thanks for sharing your insights. It is not an easy situation to face if someone is not feeling pain. I agree that running would be the best way out many times! But if you have to stay and end up grappling – I like how you pointed out that the choke would still be effective if you are caught. The only worry I would have is crazy and drugged out people can seem super strong.

]]> By: Zara /what-do-you-do-if-he-took-your-best-shot/comment-page-1/#comment-1979 Zara Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:35:12 +0000 /?p=1507#comment-1979 I'd say run, if you can't do that hit him with everything you've got. If you keep hitting his head with the hardest parts of your body (elbows, knees, forehead) he's bound to go down. A knock-out doesn't rely on pain but on the brain being tossed around in the skull so it wouldn't really matter if he's high or super-pissed or not. Another tactic would be to take his balance and throw him, throws work pretty good on big people and once he's down you can either stomp his head or run like hell. Drugged-up people make very dangerous opponents (no matter what size): people on cocaine, pcp or speed are actually far more dangerous than drunks. Any stimulant raises your adrenaline, your pain-tolerance grows immensly, your muscles are primed and ready to go... On top of that they're so hyped they pretty generally do not experience fear or self-doubt and confidence and resistance to pain is what wins fights in the end. Locks are pretty much useless against these people since even if you manage to break an arm they'll still continue. Your best bet would be to stay away and attack his legs (as suggested several times in this tread), the last thing you want is to grapple with someone alot bigger and stronger than you, with no pain-respons to boot. That would be my nightmare: ending up on the ground with such a monster. If there's no intervention this could actually kill you: he'll be so high and psychotic his conscious is gone and he simply won't have the sense to stop once it's clear you're down and out. All the usual tricks like strikes to the vitals and submission-holds won't work, you're struggeling for air and space... The only thing that might actually save you is a carotid-hold. Again this does not rely on pain-compliance: if you manage to close the choke and hold it in place for a few seconds he'll go to sleep, not even a drug-crazed criminal can live (let alone struggle) without enough blood and oxygen flowing to the brain. This is my take on the problem presented, just hope it never happens to you as it is one of the worst self-defense situations imaginable. In any case I'd never rely on pressure-points strikes: it's a fact they only work on a certain percentage of people (let alone intoxicated ones) and you really cannot afford to muck up your first strike. Just aim for the jaw, chin, eyes, balls and knees, fire away (don't rely on just one strike either) and it'll get the job done. Why complicate things? Zara I’d say run, if you can’t do that hit him with everything you’ve got. If you keep hitting his head with the hardest parts of your body (elbows, knees, forehead) he’s bound to go down. A knock-out doesn’t rely on pain but on the brain being tossed around in the skull so it wouldn’t really matter if he’s high or super-pissed or not. Another tactic would be to take his balance and throw him, throws work pretty good on big people and once he’s down you can either stomp his head or run like hell. Drugged-up people make very dangerous opponents (no matter what size): people on cocaine, pcp or speed are actually far more dangerous than drunks.

Any stimulant raises your adrenaline, your pain-tolerance grows immensly, your muscles are primed and ready to go… On top of that they’re so hyped they pretty generally do not experience fear or self-doubt and confidence and resistance to pain is what wins fights in the end. Locks are pretty much useless against these people since even if you manage to break an arm they’ll still continue. Your best bet would be to stay away and attack his legs (as suggested several times in this tread), the last thing you want is to grapple with someone alot bigger and stronger than you, with no pain-respons to boot. That would be my nightmare: ending up on the ground with such a monster. If there’s no intervention this could actually kill you: he’ll be so high and psychotic his conscious is gone and he simply won’t have the sense to stop once it’s clear you’re down and out. All the usual tricks like strikes to the vitals and submission-holds won’t work, you’re struggeling for air and space… The only thing that might actually save you is a carotid-hold. Again this does not rely on pain-compliance: if you manage to close the choke and hold it in place for a few seconds he’ll go to sleep, not even a drug-crazed criminal can live (let alone struggle) without enough blood and oxygen flowing to the brain.

This is my take on the problem presented, just hope it never happens to you as it is one of the worst self-defense situations imaginable. In any case I’d never rely on pressure-points strikes: it’s a fact they only work on a certain percentage of people (let alone intoxicated ones) and you really cannot afford to muck up your first strike. Just aim for the jaw, chin, eyes, balls and knees, fire away (don’t rely on just one strike either) and it’ll get the job done. Why complicate things?

Zara

]]> By: John W. Zimmer /what-do-you-do-if-he-took-your-best-shot/comment-page-1/#comment-1974 John W. Zimmer Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:24:49 +0000 /?p=1507#comment-1974 Hey Matt - great point (pun intended). :) Hey Matt – great point (pun intended). :)

]]> By: Matt Klein /what-do-you-do-if-he-took-your-best-shot/comment-page-1/#comment-1971 Matt Klein Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:08:57 +0000 /?p=1507#comment-1971 Hi John. A good poke to the eyes evens up the odds. You cannot fight what you cannot see. Like a side kick to the knee as well (like Larry) because it's hard to fight on one leg. Hi John. A good poke to the eyes evens up the odds. You cannot fight what you cannot see. Like a side kick to the knee as well (like Larry) because it’s hard to fight on one leg.

]]> By: John W. Zimmer /what-do-you-do-if-he-took-your-best-shot/comment-page-1/#comment-1948 John W. Zimmer Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:11:45 +0000 /?p=1507#comment-1948 Thanks Wim, I look forward to reading it. Thanks Wim,

I look forward to reading it.

]]> By: Wim /what-do-you-do-if-he-took-your-best-shot/comment-page-1/#comment-1945 Wim Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:52:19 +0000 /?p=1507#comment-1945 Loren Christensen is writing a book on this subject right now. How to take on those big guys who are high as a kite or just impervious to all your nifty pressure point attacks. Not sure when it's coming out but you might like it. Wim Loren Christensen is writing a book on this subject right now. How to take on those big guys who are high as a kite or just impervious to all your nifty pressure point attacks.
Not sure when it’s coming out but you might like it.

Wim

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