Critical Distance and Types of Fighters

[Hardball]

What's up? I'm new to this site and I am really enjoying my stay and interaction here. I try and stay in the Japanese forumn because that is where my rank and certification is; however, I got an open mind.

I would like to start a conversation about "Critical Distance and Types of Fighters.

First: types of fighters. I'm going to list the types I know of and I would like to hear from the martial arts community; Anything that you would like to add:

1. Charger
2. Blocker
3. Backwards Runner
4. Elusive Runner
5. Grappler
6. Kicking Specialist
7. Street Brawler

These are the basic 7. There are strategies to defending against each type of fighter assuming you know what you are up against.

I'm not going to list my strategies because I want to pick your brain. I want to learn from you. What do you have to offer towards this discussion?

As you should be able to tell from the tone of my conversation; I have the utmost respect for the community here at defend.net.

Critical Distance= Pretty Basic. You know when you are in striking range, grappling range, kicking range. What can you add to this basic principle.

I would like to hear from you.

Bowing out


{Footnote: Kathryn Turner, Championship Karate}

[Tom Yum]

Hey, that's an interesting compilation you have. What kind of fight venue are you talking about?

[Hardball]

Hey, that's an interesting compilation you have. What kind of fight venue are you talking about?

I knew I could count on Tom Yum. I'm mainly talking about street fights or full contact sparring.

[Tom Yum]

From my limited experience, here goes (if real experts want to chip in and correct, please do so):

1. Charger - good defensive head movement, footwork to get yourself out of the way and get the angle, good counter punch/kick combinations, don't get frustrated by the pressure.

2. Blocker - Fakes, play with the rhythm a little, set up different attacks to see how they set up.

3. Backward runner - They will keep running back and try to tire you out, then come in when you show fatigued. Be patient in your persuit. Maybe even leave a fake opening to draw them in, then get right at it.

4. Ellusive runner - cutting off the ring.

5. Grappler - If you are going against a grappler, you are going to have to play his game so you will have to know some grappling. If he is on the caliber of a collegiate wrestler or MMA circuit, you are going to get taken down, twisted up and choked unless you are at a similar level or are seriously strong.

6. Kicking specialist - My experience has been that TKD dudes who are maybe 2-3rd dan and up can kick lightning fast and really hard. You've got to have really good timing against a kicker otherwise its lights out, and know how to move to their front/inside. If you agree to it, you could use leg kicks, sweeps and set up a shoot attempts when the timing is right.

7. Street brawler - dude, there are so many different kinds of brawlers out there. It depends. you will probably deal with tackle attempts, bear hug/headlocks that get turned into slams (fooked if you are on concrete), haymakers, overhands, rabbit punches, kicks to the jimmy, spitting, clawing you name it so you have to have your own dirty moves lined up with what you allready know.

[Hardball]

Tom, I like your response. I agree with everything except for your charger strategy. My experinence has been to fight fire with fire when dealing with a charger. I go straight at him right before he launches his attack against me. I find that his defense is very weak when he is on the attack. I especially like your responses about kicking specialist and street brawlers.

[Hikage]

Interesting question. I’ll be honest, I’m afraid the reason that you haven’t received much in response to this is that many arts don’t teach this sort of thing, and it’s a shame. I’m not the expert that Tom Yum was waiting for, but I’ll offer my points while we’re waiting for him or her to get here.

1. Charger
In order to charge, you lead with your arms and head. Someone who tries to tackle you, as a wrestler or football player might will invariably leave their head vulnerable and conveniently at waist level. Furthermore, don’t underestimate the efficiency of attacking someone’s arms. Sinking in your weight and slamming the bony part of your forearm will stop most people long enough for you to move to your next location. If our charger is merely running at you to do who knows what, he leaves his centerline open. I’m really partial to wrapping my knuckles on top of the sternum as you would wrap your knuckles on a door. This causes his head to lower, giving it to you.

2. Blocker
Tom’s on the right track. You need to fake a blocker if you want to get inside on them. Or, you can bait them. Throw something you know they will block. When they make contact with you arm, they have just told you where their arm is. Take it, he’s handing it to you. Don’t just grab it though. Be slick about it. Don’t grasp it to tightly, just firmly enough to have a good hold and drop back, extending the limb. Now, he’s open for the counter, lock, whatever you want to do.

3. Backwards Runner
Switch up his angle. Don’t just let him run straight back. Throw one punch straight on, but step forward on a 45 degree angle when you throw it. Your next attack will be at a 45 degree angle and forces him to change direction. If he does not, then he is opening up a side to you. If he persists in running away, let him. Perhaps mommy can solve his tears.

4. Elusive Runner
I’m not really sure how this is much different from #3. Is this person running away or just really good at evading each of your attacks? Or is he like a boxer slipping, ducking, and weaving? If he’s actually running, it becomes similar response to #3. If he’s evasive, you can’t attack him where he is, attack him where he will be. I.e. don’t throw a 1 – 2 punch aimed at his head. Punch #1 goes to the head and punch #2 goes angled down, underneath punch #1 because you know he’s going to duck you and actually move his face in the way of your attack.

5. Grappler
If you can’t grapple, don’t get taken down. Similar to the charger, in order to take you down, they need to expose their head and arms (assuming they’re using a standard takedown). Feel free to take full advantage of what they are offering you. Many grapplers will throw a punch/fake and then go for the legs. DO NOT GET TAKEN DOWN! Hit, move, repeat. I forget which UFC it was where a small karate stylist was pitted against a sumo. He hit him a grand total of 3 times. He kicked sumo man once in the gut and ran. Then kicked him again in the gut then broke his nose. That was the end of the fight. Place your shots well. Don’t be a “head-hunter.” There are a million places you can attack other than the face. Study your critical points that your particular art teaches.

6. Kicking Specialist
Get inside. Don’t fight from kicking distance. Get so close you’re in his underwear. Don’t concentrate on blocking his kicks, rather concentrate on using them to off-balance the man. I.E. If your assailant kicks you with a front snap to the gut, meet the outside of the kick with your knee, and extend your leg as you put it down on a 45 degree angle off the attack. This draws him out. Whatever you do, don’t stay in kicking range. You’ll die.

7. Street Brawler
This is the man you have to impress. Martial artists are predicable. You can expect them to punch on angle, with proper hip rotation, open and close gaps, etc. A street fighter will be creative and will find uniqueways out of your best techniques. You need to control this man early. Don’t dance with him and give him confidence. Again, don’t be a “head-hunter.” Street brawlers have been hit in the face by harder things than your fist. Pick other places like legs, floating ribs, kidneys, back of the neck (be careful with that one), etc. They are most comfortable hopping and punching like a boxer. Wrap them up and take out the legs. Not by kicking them out, but rather make him not want to stand on them. Strike the top of the legs, the inside, top of the calves, etc. Most people aren’t used to being hit there. When you have the opportunity, move in to control his body and make sure he can’t move. When you have a screaming baby, you wrap him in a blanket so he can’t move his arms or legs.

-Hikage

[Hardball]

Interesting question. I’ll be honest, I’m afraid the reason that you haven’t received much in response to this is that many arts don’t teach this sort of thing, and it’s a shame.
-Hikage

Thanks for your very insightful responses. It's still early and plenty of time for more responses. This thread is only two days old.

[Mad_Mally]

In the street you never know what you are up against. In my experience, strategies can only take you so far, once a fight starts everything goes out the window. Once that first punch is thrown, it comes down to conditioning (both physical and mental), strength, quickness, and techique. Formulating strageties are good if you're point fighting, or fighting in the dojo, but in the streets your movements must be pure instinct, this means that you have to train to the point that your techiques at at the level of pure reflex reaction.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Later

[LoneWolf1]

I like to think that essentially all fighters can be beaten using one mind set, complete radomization, if you make s/he think your a boxer that charges in with a full out attack then back off when they counter and suddenly give them a nice high mid level kick they will most likely be caught so off gaurd that they won't know what happened (just an example, any combinations can be used) . If you always switch it up your opponent can't form a pattern and won't be able see where the attack is coming from. Also keeping your cool and not showing your opponent any emotion will keep them from knowing your true intentions. Just a thought, I know in the real world it's not this simple but the principle can be adapted to all MA.

[Hardball]

Also keeping your cool and not showing your opponent any emotion will keep them from knowing your true intentions.

Nice Point and I'll add don't show your enemy any fear either!!

[Hardball]

Once that first punch is thrown, it comes down to conditioning (both physical and mental), strength, quickness, and techique.

I'll add this; don't let that first punch connect with your face. Watch out for ambushes and sucker punches. You may not be able to recover if you get cold cocked real good.

[Mad_Mally]

I agree. I also think that if you know a fight is about to happen you should be the one to throw the first punch. Waiting for someone to attack you puts you on the defensive, and you are therefore at a disadvantage because you'll be to busy blocking or being hit to respond back with a counter.

[Hikage]

Nice Point and I'll add don't show your enemy any fear either!!

Unfortunately, I disagree. Not that you are wrong, I'm just weird. I'm a little guy, only reaching 5'8 and a hundred some odd pounds. To most people I don't pose much of a threat. I've had people tell me straight up that they wouldn't bother with me because I'm not worth the effort. I'll play afraid if needed to gain the surprise. I'll even cry, if needed. It's about surviving, not maintaining a "cool" exterier.

-Hikage

[LoneWolf1]

I'm only talking once the fight is initiated and whats the point of training in MA if your just gonna pretend to cry then sucker punch/ whatever the guy. Any person can do that, keeping yourself cool keeps your mind clear and focused, the more concentration the more able you will be to use techniques either by striking, blocking or countering.

[Hardball]

I'll play afraid if needed to gain the surprise. I'll even cry, if needed. It's about surviving, not maintaining a "cool" exterier.

-Hikage

Whatever works for you and it's nice to hear a little guy perspective. Not showing fear is something I learn From My Drill Seargent in Uncle Sam's Army--Not from any of my Martial Arts instructors. LOL