# Under attack, where's the first point you aim at? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2014, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525 "2014-09-25T14:16:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/1 "2014-09-25T14:16:41Z")
Inspired by [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735332) thread on unarmed combat. Let’s say you’re out for a stroll alone on a quiet street when some nutter comes at you with his fist raised about to clobber you. You retreat and reach for your phone to call the 5-0 but wind up in a dead-end alley, oops. You have to strike him back before you can get out of dodge. Which point do you strike at, with fist, palm, knee, foot or any of your other extremities? ---
**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, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/2 "2014-09-25T14:24:22Z")
Same thing I wrote in that other thread: kick to the hip joint. All men (and people in general) will instinctively protect their groin, but a straight kick to the hip will stop anyone in their tracks, giving you a moment to escape or attack somewhere else (I would suggest a simple ankle stomp, followed by a knife hand to the neck, preferably the throat but almost anywhere in that vicinity will do). ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/3 "2014-09-25T14:28:29Z")
I went with clavicle. Hard push to the upper chest will create distance and unbalance people, plus its hard to miss. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/4 "2014-09-25T14:34:08Z")
I have a CCW. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/5 "2014-09-25T14:38:53Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > I have a CCW. :smack: Forgot about this one, comes from living in a disarmed society. In that case, you pull your piece only to have it snatched from your hand by a cheeky low-flying eagle. It could happen, work with me. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/6 "2014-09-25T14:50:38Z")
Mozambique drill If limited to non firearms? Open defensive blade (depending on my mood and what I’m carrying, could be a Buck 110, Spyderco Manix, or Spyderco Spyderhawk serrated hawkbill ) Limited to no weapons? Strike to the temple of the skull ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/7 "2014-09-25T14:56:30Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > Mozambique drill > > If limited to non firearms? > Open defensive blade (depending on my mood and what I’m carrying, could be a Buck 110, Spyderco Manix, or Spyderco Spyderhawk serrated hawkbill ) > > Limited to no weapons? Strike to the temple of the skull Yep, meant to specify that you’re unarmed in the OP, an admitted oversight on my part. I do Muay Thai so my first instinct would be a low kick to the side of the knee, as hard and fast as I could. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/8 "2014-09-25T15:09:08Z")
Well, admittedly I’m being a smartass. I have a Florida CCW, but not one for Boston. So there you go. I don’t know if I’d know where I’d hit first. It would depend on the situation, what I was or wasn’t carrying (groceries, etc.), if my asthma was acting up… Sometimes puking makes people go away. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/9 "2014-09-25T15:13:26Z")
My first line of defense is to not let myself get cornered in an alley to begin with. If I’m running, I’m running to somewhere where there are more people. That said, though, if I _do_ somehow get into a situation where I need to defend myself, then I’m starting with a feint to the nuts, followed up by a strike to whatever spot on the head or neck I have the clearest shot at. The same instincts that make the gonads a poor choice of primary target also make them a good choice for a feint. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/10 "2014-09-25T15:14:50Z")
I was an idiot when I was young, so fighting in the streets (with our children at our feet) was something I did. I learned pretty quick, get the other guy on the ground ASAP. Immediately, as soon as his chest puffs out and the arms go back in the classic “something is starting” pose, don’t mimic that behavior, don’t bump chests, strike. Kick the knee or ankle, hammer the solar plexus, and get the hell out before his friends show up. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/11 "2014-09-25T15:21:51Z")
I’m short, so I’m going for the knee. I can reach the knee and a good side kick to has got to do some damage. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/12 "2014-09-25T15:23:22Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > My first line of defense is to not let myself get cornered in an alley to begin with. If I’m running, I’m running to somewhere where there are more people. Quite so, a physical strike should be the last resort when all other options are exhausted so I had to exhaust the option for you. Fighting when you can run away I think would be more foolish than accidentally trapping yourself. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/13 "2014-09-25T15:32:35Z")
I’m disabled so running away is not an option. Maybe a fast hobble. My cane is hickory and I’ve practiced starting a swing to the nuts, assisted by the left hand. I think I’m reasonably fast and I don’t think I telegraph the move. It’s my only shot. _snerk_ ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/14 "2014-09-25T15:52:21Z")
As far as being weaponless, that’ll never happen to me, if I have pants on, I have at least one pocketknife on me, it may not be ideal for defense, but it’ll be an available tool the attacker doesn’t have (in the OP scenario) I deep pocket carry so no one can tell I have any knives on me at all In the OP, even the humble Case Peanut would give me an advantage over the unarmed assailant ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/15 "2014-09-25T16:50:04Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > I have a CCW. Me too but crushing his/her instep before capping their ass could be worth a giggle or three. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/16 "2014-09-25T18:34:51Z")
From my hockey playing days I’m pretty confident I could put just about anyone on the ground and then disable them with a stomp to the ghoulies. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/17 "2014-09-25T18:38:23Z")
Run like hell. ---
**Author:** ![Lorene89095](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@Lorene89095](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorene89095)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/18 "2014-09-25T19:06:39Z")
I’m in a powerchair,so Hopefully I’d start screaming FIREFIRE,then run over his feet/break his ankles and when he’s on the ground roll away,roll away as fast as I could!! ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/19 "2014-09-25T19:16:36Z")
Multiple martial arts backgrounds, etc…I’m sure my SDMB reputation deceives me. > [@](#): > > Advance upon me, brethren! Well, first off, brethren do not attack each other. :rolleyes: It goes against the code/training/etiquette. [We’ll leave Friendly Fire mistakes out of this.] Second, do not attack first. I glance at the surroundings and allow my assailant to attack, at which point I dodge, weave, side-step, or whatever to avoid the attack. Everything after that depends on the nature of the attack and my assailant’s apparent skill. Since you’ve established me in an alley with only one way in/out, you’ve also given me at least four surfaces against which I can slam my assailant’s attacking-limb and/or head. Since the alleys behind shops/company buildings are rarely completely empty, I will also keep in mind things like the edges of loading docks, ramp/stairway railings, corners of dumpsters and external storage closets, etc. And, since it’s pretty rare for people to keep the alleyways behind their businesses spotlessly clean, I’m not weaponless, either.😃 –G! Permits? We don’ need no stinkin’ permits! ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525/20 "2014-09-25T21:21:44Z")
I said “for the eyes”. Many years of martial arts background. One group I was with would drill the “oh shit” response, which was a rapid one-two to the eyes/throat and groin/shin/bladder as available. A spear-hand to the eyes/throat has many subtle advantages over someone coming at you with a punch/grab. Being a straight jab, it is very fast and nearly unblockable on reaction alone. Also, the fingers give you an extra 2-3 inches of reach over a fist, allowing you to stay marginally safer from an opposing punch. A fave of my wing chun sifu was a feint with a low kick, which really was to both bring the opponents hands down reflexively, and masks closing the distance to unleash a barrage of spear hands at their face. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-attack-wheres-the-first-point-you-aim-at/699525.md?page=2)