# Chapter One of Unarmed Combat for Dummies...? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 24, 2014, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467 "2014-09-24T21:53:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MrLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f8ce5/32.png) [@MrLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrLee)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/1 "2014-09-24T21:53:14Z")
Semi-inspired by another thread I just read here… I am a wimp. I have never hit anyone, and the last time I saw blood (while my wife was having stitches in hospital) I almost passed out. I have no muscle-tone to speak of, nor even sporting experience (much less combat-training). But say I were to find myself confronted by a bad guy, and I wanted to immobilise him (her?) just long enough to be able to run away. What would I do? Various sources over the years have taught me that a punch to the face might not be such a good idea (for me, the puncher). Punches are easy to predict, and might break my (delicate) fingers. I also understand that flying kicks are not as practical in real life as they are in Street-Fighter 2 (nor, for that matter, [Hadokens](http://streetfighter.wikia.com/wiki/Hadoken)). Some guy in [Prison Break](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455275/) once said that a downward kick to the knee-cap might do the trick, but I’m not sure about that one either… Might that not need a bit of practice? I have always been a little suspicious of the archetypal knee-to-the-groin, too. Knees are normally wider than the space between a man’s legs (while standing) - surely most knee-ings simply end up as knees-to-the-thighs - an undignified endeavour for all. Any tips for the uninitiated? Thanks in advance… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/2 "2014-09-24T21:58:22Z")
Don’t hit; just run. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/3 "2014-09-24T22:04:55Z")
First rule of unarmed combat: don’t engage in unarmed combat. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/4 "2014-09-24T22:11:30Z")
> [@MrLee](#): > > …I have always been a little suspicious of the archetypal knee-to-the-groin, too. … You are correct to be suspicious. Several different guys over the years have told me: - males are already gun-shy about being hit there, so the reflexes get honed over the years - yes, it’s very much anticipated in a fight - it only takes a slight movement of one leg on the part of the kick-ee to block the kick If you’re REALLY in a situation where you’re unarmed but have to resort to physical violence for self-defense, you (the OP) will likely have to fight dirty. You’re going to get - maybe - one blow, and then the other guy is going to come at you with all he’s got, so you gotta make that one blow count. A swift punch to the throat, for example, or a jab directly into an eye socket. I’d recommend signing up for a self-defense class, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/5 "2014-09-24T22:13:50Z")
If you must punch, punch with your thumb outside of your fist and imagine that you are not punching but driving your index and middle finger knuckles through your opponent. That’s where your bones are strongest and you’ll hit harder and do less damage to yourself. It’s gonna hurt, though. If they attempt to grab you around the neck, get an arm up between their arm and your neck. It’s easier to push out than pull away and you can keep them from preventing you from breathing. If they manage to encircle your neck, you’ll need to be far stronger than them to break the hold. An open-hand upward drive at the nose is painful and bloody. If they grab you from behind, you can’t go wrong with SING from Miss Congeniality. Solar plexus, Instep, Nose Groin. Jab with the elbow, stomp with the foot, whack in the face and fist to the junk. If you can get the whole combo in, they’ll definitely be distracted. But the most important thing is that self-defense is about defending yourself. The best defense from an attacker is absence. The moment you have a chance to escape the situation, take it! Real life is not like the movies. If you are fighting someone, really fighting someone, you’re most likely either going to kill them, or piss them off. ---
**Author:** ![Onyerbike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onyerbike/32/5402_2.png) [@Onyerbike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onyerbike)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/6 "2014-09-24T22:14:59Z")
Who wants to try my three step program? 1. Punch them. 2. In the face. 3. Until your watch falls off. You are now a combat master! ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/7 "2014-09-24T22:29:21Z")
The science of self defense is… well unfortunately it doesn’t really exist. But here’s my take. 1. De-escalate. Talk them out of it. If you are mugged hang over your f-----g wallet. Medical bills even for a minor injury are likely to exceed, say, $100 by a wide margin. 2a. Physical techniques need to be practiced. So skip this thread and take a self defense course. I’m saying that in the theory that _any_ sort of self defense is better than nothing, provided you keep #1 firmly in mind. If you don’t keep #1 firmly in mind, any self defense course that encourages you to fight, intentionally or unintentionally, is probably counterproductive. 2b. Some physical techniques require years of practice (eg judo, aikedo). But [others](http://www.kenfuderyu.co.za/Neko%20Ryu%20Goshinjitsu.htm) really don’t. A couple of weekends can be helpful. 1. A heart attack is more likely to kill you than a bad guy with fists. Martial arts are a decent way to exercise if you enjoy them. Which you may, if you find a dojo (martial arts studio) that’s a good fit. Final caveat: women face different self defense challenges than men. For a woman, I’d recommend an [IMPACT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_mugging) course. ---
**Author:** ![MrLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f8ce5/32.png) [@MrLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrLee)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/8 "2014-09-24T22:44:31Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > A swift punch to the throat, for example, or a jab directly into an eye socket. Yeah - I kinda figured… And thanks to all who have suggested a self-defense class. Truth is, though, I’m not \*that \*bothered. I have a pregnant wife and a PhD to contend with - karate classes are out for the foreseeable future. I wonder if some sort of impromptu use-whatever-you-have-as-a-weapon thing might work: might a key function as some kind of stabby-thing? Also, some kind of psychological mis-direction tactic: pointing to the left and saying “look there!” before delivering a daring and potentially lethal jab to the potential assailant’s right thigh… What has struck me about the very-few “real” rights I have seen online (\*a la \*clips from UFC and horrible street-fighting youtube videos) is that there doesn’t seem to be much of a _science_ to it. These are not comprised of carefully choreographed and professionally executed sequences as per your average kung fu movie; they are instead two butch guys seemingly hitting it each other random until one of them happens to fall over. I digress… ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/9 "2014-09-24T23:38:48Z")
As noted, a good jab to eyes or throat can be very effective. One that gets overlooked a lot is a hard kick to the shin, especially if you happen to be wearing hard-soled shoes or boots. Bear in mind also, that practically anything can be used as a weapon. A chair, lamp, bottle, umbrella, cup of scalding coffee in the face… lots of possibilities. If you have access to something long and stick-like; a spade, rake, walking stick, it is often better to jab with it than to swing it. If you can’t jab the face go for the solar plexus or groin. Important thing is to keep your wits about you… don’t freeze up, and once committed to an action, don’t stop or pull your punch. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/10 "2014-09-24T23:46:57Z")
No one here can teach you enough for you to actually be good at anything self defense wise. That is up to you and the practice you are willing to do. You idea of a key being a stabby thing is good, but do you have it in you to really injure someone? No hesitation, just jab a key into their eye socket? Any weapon is better than none, maybe pepper spray? At least practice yelling, " what’s that?" and running hard in the opposite direction. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/11 "2014-09-24T23:47:39Z")
> [@MrLee](#): > > I have a pregnant wife and a PhD to contend with - karate classes are out for the foreseeable future. If you are in a PhD program your university most likely has a PE class in some flavor of martial arts, basic self defense, or boxing. For example CSU Fresno offers Aikido Taekwondo kenodo karate kickboxing ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/12 "2014-09-24T23:58:37Z")
I once asked a black belt in karate what she would do if ‘confronted by a bad guy’. She answered ‘I’d run away. Mainly because he may have friends nearby.’ ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/13 "2014-09-25T01:32:55Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > An open-hand upward drive at the nose is painful … As is an ear clap. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/14 "2014-09-25T01:42:59Z")
All men will instinctively protect their balls when a kick is headed in that direction. Aim for the hip joint instead; a straight kick right at the center of their pants pocket. It won’t do any damage, but it will stop anyone in their tracks long enough for you to run away. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/15 "2014-09-25T04:24:02Z")
> [@MrLee](#): > > And thanks to all who have suggested a self-defense class. Truth is, though, I’m not \*that \*bothered. > > I have a pregnant wife and a PhD to contend with - karate classes are out for the foreseeable future. I take it you won’t be frequenting rough bars either. Good. > [@](#): > > What has struck me about the very-few “real” rights I have seen online (\*a la \*clips from UFC and horrible street-fighting youtube videos) is that there doesn’t seem to be much of a _science_ to it. These are not comprised of carefully choreographed and professionally executed sequences as per your average kung fu movie; they are instead two butch guys seemingly hitting it each other random until one of them happens to fall over. Actually, there’s a lot to UFC. A pure boxer won’t do very well, as most fights go to the ground. There are certain techniques that all who enter the ring have training in. So… don’t enter the ring. Victory! Anyway, here are some tips. One principle is not to rely upon one magic technique. Nothing works all the time, so be prepared to move on to something else rather than getting stuck in a pointless loop. An impact to the nose will cause the opponent to tear up. Then you can run away. Noses are also soft. Here’s an exercise for you. Find a hanging [punching bag](http://www.amazon.com/Everlast-4004-Traditional-Heavy-Bag/dp/B00076ZE1M/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1411618271&sr=1-1&keywords=hanging+punching+bag) at your school. Strike it with the palm of your hand, pretending it is someone’s nose. Strike it with your fists, softly at first and gradually moving up in strength. Now of course it’s best if you can get somebody to _show_ you the proper technique so you don’t hurt your hands or wrists. But barring that, experimenting on your own with a bag can help. Just take due care. The tendency will be to use your arms. But somebody who can throw a punch will actually have relaxed biceps - he will be using his legs and hips. That said, if we were in the same room with the bag, I would show you something else, probably elbow strikes and knee strikes. Effective and not too difficult. But it’s best to be shown rather than described. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/16 "2014-09-25T05:14:28Z")
Stick your pen into an eye socket. End of fight. A really good kick to the solar plexus will kill or paralyze. A hard-soled shoe stomped on insole will slow down most. Biggest thing: do not allow them to grab you - especially around the neck. Learn how to run. ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/17 "2014-09-25T07:28:38Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > First rule of unarmed combat: don’t engage in unarmed combat. I had it as “The first rule of unarmed combat: get armed.” ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/18 "2014-09-25T12:36:18Z")
Turn and run. Empty a sack of rice over your shoulder as you go. Hopefully he’ll slip and fall on the rice. Failing that, take a self-defense course. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/19 "2014-09-25T13:50:18Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Turn and run. Empty a sack of rice over your shoulder as you go. Hopefully he’ll slip and fall on the rice. > > Failing that, take a self-defense course. [Here is a video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3MsZjx1K8k) of a guy who may be able to teach you a few moves. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467/20 "2014-09-25T13:51:16Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Don’t hit; just run. > [@Lemur866](#): > > First rule of unarmed combat: don’t engage in unarmed combat. > [@3trew](#): > > I had it as “The first rule of unarmed combat: get armed.” Basically the first two. How do you do that? Avoiding ‘stupid people, doing stupid crap, at stupid hours of the day,’ goes a long way. Recognizing bad situations before they start is another. And how do you do that? Read up on situational awareness and how it applies to common street crimes—muggings, robberies, etc… It was either **Lumpy** or **Loach** on here who directed me to this essay, _[Street Robberies and You](http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1285487_Street_robberies_and_you___The_Basics.html)_, and it is an insightful read. Like most LEO and former LEO, the author is, IMHO, way too blase about drawing his weapon for emphasis, but other than that the advice is good. Again, IMHO. Staying out of situations where you would need your hypothetical ‘_Unarmed Combat for Dummies_’ will do you infinitely more good than any first chapter of that book. If you find yourself in one of those situations, and you can’t leave, try to de-escalate it. Here are [some tips](http://www.naswma.org/?520) from a Massachusetts association of social workers. There are a bunch at that link and some of them sound applicable. A few of them sound counter-intuitive to me, but if they work… > [@](#): > > Do not maintain constant eye contact. Allow the client to break his/her gaze and look away. DO NOT smile. This could look like mockery or anxiety. Do not solicit how a person is feeling or interpret feelings in an analytic way. You want to de-escalate for a lot of reasons. Assuming you are fairly normal, not “Likes-to-Fight-Guy” or anything like that, anyone you’d be squaring off with is going to have much more experience at fighting than you will. It’s likely they’ll be able to take a punch, give one, will know about the tips in your Chapter 1, and you’ll get hurt real bad. Especially if, as **glee** mentioned, his friends join in. If you can’t get away, de-escalation doesn’t work, compliance is unacceptable for whatever reason or your opponent doesn’t care if you’re complying or not, and you absolutely, positively must stop a threat to your life, then be armed while you do so. Firearms require some training and practice to use effectively, but nowhere near as much as unarmed or combat with hand weapons (knives, clubs, chemical sprays, etc…) Firearms are also not as dependent on physical strength or fitness for their utility. However, they also may not be legal for you to carry or even own. Universities are known for being hostile to their students carrying weapons on school property. Consult legal authority as to whether carrying a firearm is appropriate and legal for your situation. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chapter-one-of-unarmed-combat-for-dummies/699467.md?page=2)