have any of you guys ever had to throwdown?

[John Milmont]

So i just got back from a new years party that got a little out of hand. Long story short, there was a major douche bag that no one likes that was rubbing me the wrong way and it almost came to blows. Luckily, I had friends that stepped in and broke up the fight. I know it was stupid and I will consider this a lost because I was the one that was pushing for the fight even though i was not the original aggressor. I'm a big guy, i weigh 230lbs, 6' tall, and over the summer i was running 4 miles. But i don't consider myself fit by any means. My only fighting experiences are pretty rare: I took a sucker punch in college, i grabbed the asshole by the neck and pinned him to the ground (by his neck) and that fight was over. i also roughhoused with my older brother when i was growing up - some of which did get pretty serious. I also spared with a tikwando martial artist in college, but that was only striking - not grappling.
I think the guy that i was facing was full of shit, he was saying he had been in all kinds of fights; but judging by his perfect teeth and light weight ( i had at least 40lbs on him), i called bullshit and that's when I asked him to dance. That's when my buddies stepped in and took me out of the party.

My question to you guys is this: I know the best situation is to avoid the fight, but if somehow that's not an option, how did you handle yourself? What is the best strategy? I mean, how did you attack and defend?

I have never had to fight because I had to. I have always done it for fun with friends; but I have taken to heart the lessons I learned in college and the advice given to me by friends that where in the military - that is, if its a serious fight, you give it your all and you don't mess around - nothing is out of bounds.

 

[Keith]

For a start don't be a girl and adopt a Marquis of Queensbury stance - even if he is a lightweight he may be an experienced boxer.

If you have a weight advantage - take him down quick and smother him.

Fight over.

Emphasis on QUICK -strike first and strike hard.

 

[Bill Cooke]

Walk away if at all possible. By getting into a fight your just lowering your self to his lower level IMHO. Other wise break his nose.

 

[Jack]

Emphasis on QUICK -strike first and strike hard.

I really hate this, but:

:evil: Knee to the groin while striking his chin upward with the heel of your hand
as hard as you can. When he goes down, stomp on the side of his head rendering him unconsious (optional). If you're not up to this, walk away!

First, fast and hard!

 

[TimB]

Walk away if at all possible. By getting into a fight your just lowering your self to his lower level IMHO. Other wise break his nose.

Agreed by calling him out at some point you become the douche bag. You will go a lot farther in life if you can rise above this kind of stuff. Rest assured others see his behaviour as well and will eventually quit inviting him

 

[Jack]

Agreed by calling him out at some point you become the douche bag. You will go a lot farther in life if you can rise above this kind of stuff. Rest assured others see his behaviour as well and will eventually quit inviting him

Good advice Tim!

 

[Dave Lindemann]

John -

The best thing is to walk away. I'm not sure how involved you became with Tae Kwon Do but one of the first things a person is taught (in a traditional school) is to walk away from a fight unless you or someone else is being physically attacked. The problem with stiking "first, fast, and hard" is that you'll be the one placed in handcuffs for assault when the police show up. I'm glad to hear the situation was resolved without coming to blows.

Happy New Year!
Dave L

 

[Jack]

+1 Dave!

 

[Terry Oxandale]

Really mature advice here. The strike fast, hard, and effective (or efficiently) is key IF you've no choice and must defend yourself. In the red zone, nobody wants to walk away from an increasingly tense and difficult situation, but unless you’re in a corner, there’s always a back way out. Rarely does one travel alone, and it’s the guy behind you that you don’t know about that may be your demise if you choose to escalate the issue. The risk of a life-altering experience (not a good one like purchasing your first GT40) is never worth sticking around until the end. Fortunately, I’ve never been in a situation that couldn’t be exited (albeit with a little feeling of injustice taking place).

Taking a proper, but non-aggressive stance (hands as chest or neck level doing something other than being in clinched fists) sends a message to someone “familiar” with fighting that you’re not too naïve and just waiting to be sucker punched. Most “practical” self defense tactics center around the groin and neck shots for a reason. They are effective, and they provide the needed second(s) to exit or gain control.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<img src=" /><o></o>

 

[Al Wohlstrom]

When I was about 20, my dad came to the kitchen where I was having coffee. He inquired about my skinned up knuckles, I said that I had been in a fight at a bar. He told me something I never forgot. "What if you smack the guy, and on the way down he hits his head on the pool table and dies, that impulse will be something you carry for the rest of your life! There is no winner in a fight, just lesser degrees of hurt" Never fought after that unless it was unavoidable.

 

[Jeff Young]

Reach into arsenal, select gat of choice, and blow his ass away! This is America dammit!

You spend a few years in the pen as a result, but that's three squares and a bed. Not too shabby. Sleepy needle if you plan it in advance though!

 

[Keith]

I was assuming of course that it was a scenario akin to an invitation for a drink in the Last Chance Saloon. I have used this method to control threatening people with (or without) weapons throughout my career and I can't fight because I think it's stupid.

I suppose the modern way might be to 'out' him as a fag on his Facebook page. :blank:

 

[Nick]

"What if you smack the guy, and on the way down he hits his head on the pool table and dies, that impulse will be something you carry for the rest of your life! There is no winner in a fight, just lesser degrees of hurt" Never fought after that unless it was unavoidable.

Al,

Not always easy to follow your dad's very true and wise words, many lives have been ruined with one punch.

 

[Chris P.]

Way back in 7th or 8th grade my own encounter with a douche bag (with absolutely no one else around) ended fairly interestingly... for some reason he just felt like fighting I guess (he actually was a bit of a trouble maker)... completely unprovoked.... came out of nowhere. He wanted to fight and hit me in the jaw. I saw it coming but didn't do anything about it for some reason (because I knew there was absolutely no reason for it.) I stood there looking at him with a face that said "WTF.... now what are you gonna do?" I didn't react at all in a fighting manner and his attitude changed, he turned and walked away...

Back in college there was some drunk kid at a party (that I was not even part of - this was in a dormitory) who wanted to fight me. I know, because the guy who stayed in that room and who was hosting the part told me. This is in Iowa, I'm from NY (although not the city), and another guy from my floor who was from Rochester, NY was with me. Needless to say everyone else around looked at us like some sort of bad-asses at that moment. My friend wanted to go ahead with the fight but I didn't want to simply because the guy was drunk - didn't make any sense to me at all.

Funny thing... some people go through life never getting into a fight. That's me. If I needed to fight tomorrow, I wouldn't know how. Even if I did know how, I wouldn't do it unless I really had no choice. I think that is what helps sustain a mature and civil society.

 

[Randy V]

I agree with most of the posts here.. The best way to win a fight is to walk away from it.
Understandably it's hard for many people to do this when they feel their honor has been besmirched.

As a military trained aggressor I will only exercise that aggression when defending myself or my family.
Quite frankly - while I was taught how to turn it on - I was never taught how to limit it or turn it off until my opponent was totally incapacitated or dead.
Having used those skills and seeing the end result - I've been quite successful in keeping them within reach but unused ever since 1971 save for one time.

That's a very long time.

While my body has aged, I've not forgotten those skills - but hope that I never have to call upon them again.

 

[Frank3]

Rough and ready attitude is ok , but doesn't mix well with Alcohol , and is the reason I don't hang out with my old buddies anymore .
I'm not saying I haven't , or wouldn't go 'round if needed , but there are no winners ..... ever !
I just had this same conversation with my son , I told him to walk away every time ! And when you do decide to stand , everyone is potentially against you , even the person you might decide to take-up for can take draw on you .
Best bet is to avoid situations .
Sounds like you know your ready to go , learn to use it to you advantage , to avoid trouble . Know the other guy for who he is . You've heard keep friends close , and enemies closer ? This is one of these times .
The attacker is off balance with the world , believe me I've found out the hard way .
Keep your head and you'll have more chances to own GT40s , if not the lawyers will buy whatever they like with your money .

 

[Jack]

I agree with Randy, having been there too! Ego and honor have no place in any fight, there are no winners in this society. Better to find the back door if necessary. Defending your own life or family would be the only reason to resort to violence using ANY means necessary!

 

[Jim Craik]

I'm very impressed with the above comments, thanks guys.

 

[Pat Buckley]

So, if he outweighed you by 30 or 40 pounds would you have been as brave?

Probably not.

BTW: If a fight looks inevitable stand with one arm across your chest protecting your solar plexus and the other arm elbow resting on the that arm protecting your face and throat. It is non-threatening yet allows maximum protection.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Reach into arsenal, select gat of choice, and blow his ass away! This is America dammit!

You spend a few years in the pen as a result, but that's three squares and a bed. Not too shabby. Sleepy needle if you plan it in advance though!

Love your sense of humour Jeff.:laugh:
Personally I have never lost a fight, I've won most of them by at least 200 yards.
I too have been trained by the military, and have the skills but will always walk or run away whenever possible. One punch can kill and you ruin your life and your family's lives as well as the victims. It's worth swallowing some pride to protect them from that.