# Fending off attackers using martial arts **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [January 29, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933 "2010-01-29T19:25:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Neur0mancer\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/46a35a/32.png) [@Neur0mancer\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neur0mancer_1)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/1 "2010-01-29T19:25:43Z")
In his June 19th column, Cecil wrote: “However, the more interesting observation is that, of the cases I dug up, 60 percent of those who used martial arts to smack down an attacker (even if only temporarily) were blind or elderly. Sure, maybe only the man-bites-dog cases find their way into news accounts. But it’s tempting to say blind and/or elderly + martial arts training = decent chance of kicked bad-guy ass.” This is not surprising. People with serious martial arts training develop a manner of movement that reflects control of their personal space. If someone moves like that, and is young and tough-looking, muggers will find someone else to victimize, and the martial artist doesn’t get to demonstrate his/her prowess. Thus, it’s only among the apparently easy victims - the elderly and seemingly vulnerable - that muggers will find the unpleasant surprises that get the stories into the news. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/2 "2010-01-30T00:56:15Z")
My plan to use martial arts against muggers is to sweep out my fencing foil and strike an _en garde_ in _seconde_. Then while the muggers are bent over double laughing, I make my escape with catlike swiftness… ---
**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:** [January 30, 2010, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/3 "2010-01-30T05:21:04Z")
I think I’ve perfected my hand-the-mugger-my-wallet _justsu_. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/4 "2010-01-30T09:24:49Z")
[This is my fave anti-mugger tactic](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTOFSvSA2gE). Chances are, at the end you might even get thrown some money. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/5 "2010-01-30T10:12:37Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > My plan to use martial arts against muggers is to sweep out my fencing foil and strike an _en garde_ in _seconde_. Then while the muggers are bent over double laughing, I make my escape with catlike swiftness… I’d use T’ai-Chi, and bore them to death. Or perhaps I’d [beat them off](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SGbxFmK_LA). ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/6 "2010-01-30T12:34:51Z")
[Here](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2874/has-martial-arts-training-ever-helped-anybody-defeat-a-mugger)is a link to the column. ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/7 "2010-01-30T22:11:16Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > My plan to use martial arts against muggers is to sweep out my fencing foil and strike an _en garde_ in _seconde_. Then while the muggers are bent over double laughing, I make my escape with catlike swiftness… Well, I act in an Arthurian “Renaissance” faire, so if I _did_ happen to be wearing my sword (a Starfire LS-28), I’d be a bit more dangerous. (Actually, I do wear my sword from time to time, specifically, when shopping for gloves. It’s amazing how many people don’t look twice. I recommend doeskins, by the way; they’re like Playtex Living Gauntlets.) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/8 "2010-01-31T00:59:08Z")
I’ve often wondered how well vets from WWII and Korea fare against muggers. The hand to hand fighting techniques they learned in boot camp wouldn’t be easily forgotten. Some of the combat in those wars was up close and personal. There were cases of men fighting hand to hand and with the army issue Ka-Bar knife. I don’t think muggers want to face off against a ka-bar. 😉 Maybe gramps needs to carry one when he goes shopping. [http://www.militarypictures.info/d/1609-6/ka-bar-ww2.JPG](http://www.militarypictures.info/d/1609-6/ka-bar-ww2.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/9 "2010-01-31T01:15:24Z")
Anyone know what boot camp self-defense was taught in WWII and Korea? Wasn’t it basic judo or maybe Jujitsu? I’m not what the difference is. Judo throws could still easily be executed by a 75 year old ex-paratrooper. It’s mostly requires leverage and not strength. ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/10 "2010-01-31T04:14:30Z")
My father, who was in the NYNG, the USA, and the OSS, never named anything but Judo. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2010, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/11 "2010-01-31T05:59:45Z")
**Neur0mancer** said: > [@](#): > > This is not surprising. People with serious martial arts training develop a manner of movement that reflects control of their personal space. If someone moves like that, and is young and tough-looking, muggers will find someone else to victimize, I’ve underlined the significant part for you. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/12 "2010-02-01T02:43:28Z")
> [@Neur0mancer\_1](#): > > This is not surprising. People with serious martial arts training develop a manner of movement that reflects control of their personal space. If someone moves like that, **and is young and tough-looking** , muggers will find someone else to victimize, and the martial artist doesn’t get to demonstrate his/her prowess. Thus, it’s only among the apparently easy victims - the elderly and seemingly vulnerable - that muggers will find the unpleasant surprises that get the stories into the news. I have to disagree with the bolded statement. It is the appearance of confidence that is important, not the appearance of age. Bad guys profile for victims and they look for people that they believe they can screw around with no resistance. They’ll jump on a 30 year old faster than a 60 year old if the 60 year old looks like he would put up a fight and the young guy doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Animastryfe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Animastryfe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Animastryfe)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/13 "2010-02-01T04:53:23Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Anyone know what boot camp self-defense was taught in WWII and Korea? Wasn’t it basic judo or maybe Jujitsu? I’m not what the difference is. Judo throws could still easily be executed by a 75 year old ex-paratrooper. It’s mostly requires leverage and not strength. There is an example question on how Judo throws work in my freshman physics textbook. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/14 "2010-02-01T13:55:54Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > They’ll jump on a 30 year old faster than a 60 year old if the 60 year old looks like he would put up a fight and the young guy doesn’t. Aren’t “tough-looking” and “looks like he would put up a fight” two different ways of saying the same thing? ---
**Author:** ![Modern-caveman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@Modern-caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Modern-caveman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/15 "2010-02-01T14:12:12Z")
I took several years of Kenpo Karate. One time at night while I was at my vehicle a flash in my periphery and a tap on the shoulder prompted a reverse hand chop at the throat. It was an elderly lady. I stopped the chop before doing any damage. She was only wanting directions. I told next time she should cough, sneeze, or fart before sneaking up on someone. Some years later I was at a party. A younger guy was trying to impress his GF by feigning punches to my nose. He connected once that stung my nose. Before I realized it, I had my thumb buried into his juggler and he dropped to the floor on his knees. I informed him I was leaving and I would let go to get my coat. I asked him if he agreed. He gurgled okay. When I let go I mistakenly turned my back on him. I turned around as he was coming at me with a butcher knife in each hand jabbing and swinging. I blocked them all and managed a punch that floored him. If it hadn’t been for all the practice in Kenpo he would have cut my heart out. It all came so naturally in a pinch. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/16 "2010-02-01T14:14:15Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Aren’t “tough-looking” and “looks like he would put up a fight” two different ways of saying the same thing? You don’t have to be “tough looking” to walk with confidence. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/17 "2010-02-01T19:07:33Z")
> [@Modern-caveman](#): > > I took several years of Kenpo Karate. One time at night while I was at my vehicle a flash in my periphery and a tap on the shoulder prompted a reverse hand chop at the throat. It was an elderly lady. I stopped the chop before doing any damage. She was only wanting directions. I told next time she should cough, sneeze, or fart before sneaking up on someone. You let an old woman sneak up on you? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/18 "2010-02-01T21:48:58Z")
Gary Larson had a Far Side [cartoon](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-jCDBX2ehH0/Slc5Lx8uLQI/AAAAAAAAAyY/eQpya5o7i6I/s400/Far_Side-Karate-web.jpg) on-topic. ---
**Author:** ![Kenyth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kenyth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenyth)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/19 "2010-02-02T13:49:42Z")
> [@John\_W.Kennedy](#): > > My father, who was in the NYNG, the USA, and the OSS, never named anything but Judo. 90’s boot camp trained a little in judo, but primarily trained soldiers in various strikes with a rifle and bayonet. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933/20 "2010-02-02T16:27:47Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Aren’t “tough-looking” and “looks like he would put up a fight” two different ways of saying the same thing? No. One does not have to be “tough-looking”. One merely needs to appear confident. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fending-off-attackers-using-martial-arts/526933.md?page=2)