using probability:hit first

[eXcessiveForce]

A swift kick in the groin solves a lot of work place problems. Who's gonna go to the HR lady and start whining "he kicked me in the nuts"


But Bri is right if you are gonna do anything get it documented first.

I did that back in high school. I went in and told the principle that they could do something or I would. And we got into a little argument about what would happen.

After I made it clear that they could either stop the little guy from buggin me or I'd beat him into oblivion. And I was just putting them on notice.

There is a reason why everyone in business should have A cover your ass file. It makes lawsuits better and keeps you from getting blindsided later.

[ryanhall]

It should be to the head almost every time. The only exception would be the groin or knee on a very tall person (too big to hit in the head).

It should be a power shot from the rear arm unless it's a vital shot (eye, throat). Targets are the chin, nose, eyes, and throat (an ear can work too, but I like the others better).

Should almost always be an open hand shot to avoid telegraphing your intentions. Don't punch.

You should be able to do it while talking and gesturing normally.

A few tools:
-Rear palm heel
-Rear horizontal elbow-
-Finger jab (lead)
-Push kick

Invent your own.

[darrianation]

Some very good advice here!

Palm strikes to the face are good. I also practice double palm strikes, also fast and furious straight punches thrown aggressively to the head. Low kicks are my personal favorite (*round kicks). Also staight kicks to knees and groin.
For close range I like knees, elbows, Head butts, and clinch and throw knees. All fairly simple techniques that are effective. Don’t forget the eye jabs (finger strikes to the eyes) and rakes. And if things realy go bad; biting or running away.

[Lizard]

When I do a palm strike it is slower and weaker than a punch. I know you are less likely to damage your hand but I personaly don't think that it is worth it. Elbows are good though, hard, sharp and powerfull. I don't really feel comfortable throwing kness unless I'm in a clinch but I think it's because I've never used them in a real fight. Headbutts are unpredictable but I want to AVOID my head coming into contact with solid objects. I don't think I'd ever use kicks in a fight, except for the teep.

[ryanhall]

Lizard,
I'm surprised that you're having trouble with your palm strike. You lose a little reach on it due to the open hand, but your power shouldn't be down much. A palm strike is best delivered at a 45 degree angle upwards. More importantly, the palm strike is surprising. Some people can weather your best shot when they see it coming, but they won't be able to handle the surprise, even if it's a little less powerful. The palm shouldn't be your only shot anywas. Follow up with a compound attack.

A headbutt can be an incredible shot, and it's almost impossible to stop. If you do it incorrectly, however, you can knock yourself out.

I never throw knees without grabbing the other guy either. If I'm going to compromise my base, I want to have a hold on the other guy to compensate. I find that it also loads your power better.

[Lizard]

Well, I'll try to get used to palm strikes, upwards 45 degrees, follow up with more moves. darn claws keep getting in the way...

[Ryu (JKD?)]

A word on palm strikes....


I was giving a free self-defense lesson to a girlfriend of mine. Most of what we covered was situational awareness, de-escalation stances, pre-emptive strikes, and contact scenario drills.... She learned the eye jab, the palm heel, the knee to the thigh, and the web hand strike to the throat....

Now about the "power" of a surprise palm heel...

This girl is Chinese, 5 feet 3 inches tall, and weighs about 100 pounds soaking wet. She's never hit anyone before, etc...

After working her up to a reasonable level of proper mechanics, non-telegraphing the pre-emptive hit, etc., we began the contact scenarios. I put on headgear and durable goggles. My face was concealed behind the protective gear.

We worked her strikes with power through different scenarios. Each shot rocked me LOL, but what was beautiful was her true surprise hit.

Obviously during scenario drilling you know as the 'bad guy' you'll be getting hit. I'm always able to mentally prepare myself for the onslaught by the "victim." That way the surprise and shock isn't too bad........

Well......

On our second to last scenario drill, I came up to her, casually asked her if she had some money. When she replied she didn't, and had to be on her way, I crowded her. I became more aggressive, a little intimidating. She put her palms up in an almost "submissive" de-escalation stance. She said she had none, and wanted to be left alone. She didn't want any trouble.
I (playing the bad guy ) shouted a profanity at her, told her that I wanted some goddamm mon....
.................... She launched an amazing rear palm strike just seconds before I was expecting it (And I was SUPPOSED to be the guy who gets hit! )

When it hit my face, my whole head rocked back. I could barely manage a "glaaaah!" as she charged in with three more palms, a knee to my thigh, and high tailing it he hell out of there....

This little 100 pound, 5'3 girl nearly floored me for real! I'm about 175, 5'8, solid muscle, and have been doing JKD and grappling half my life! And THAT surprise hit nearly floored me. I didn't even know what hit me.

There is so much to be said for a pre-emptive strike... you can take out just about anyone if you know what you're doing.
Ryan Hall is dead on in just about everything he has said on the subject.

Ryu

[darrianation]

One time a buddy of mine and I were jumped by two other guys. My buddy broke one of the guys jaw with a palm strike. They are powerful.

Oh and yea, I usually grab or clinch when I throw knees too.

[Lizard]

Pre-emptive upward palm strike to the chin. I will add that to my moves list. What is a Web hand strike? Is it like a palm strike but with fingers spread out? What position should my fingers be in for a palm strike? At the moment I just relax my fingers and they bend forward a little, I keep my thumb back, out of the way. I need to get rid of a few techniques and maybe think about a few more, I need some ground-fighting skills but nowhere near me does BJJ.

[ryanhall]

There are basically two kinds of palm strikes: a regular one, and chinjab. The former is thrown like a rear cross straight in at the jaw. Keep your fingers together and pulled back--makes the palm rigid and prevents the fingers from catching anything. The latter comes up at about a 45 degree angle under the vision and also targets the chin. For this, you can either keep the same hand positioning as the regular palm strike, or you can spread your fingers like you're about to shoot a free throw. The fingers search for the eyes after you hit with the palm, and can be turned into a rake.

A web hand strike targets the throat and uses...the web of your hand. This is the spot between your thumb and the rest of your hand. Open it, and hit. Hope that helps.

[Lizard]

Yes that was very helpful. Is the chinjab thrown with the rear arm? I'm still a little unsure about the positioning of the fingers. The web hand could be turned into a choke could it not? Lots of new techniques learned today.

[ryanhall]

Is the chinjab thrown with the rear arm

Yes.

I'm still a little unsure about the positioning of the fingers.

Pull your wrist back and spread your fingers.

The web hand could be turned into a choke could it not

Yeah, but it's not designed to be. It's a sharp strike to the throat that can cause a lot of damage up to and including death. It's not to be messed around with. Turning it into a choke robs you of the sharp power you would have gotten by striking--think punching without retracting. It becomes a push more than a strike. Before I actually knew anything about the web hand strike, I did turn it into a choke on one occasion. Picked the guy up off the ground by the throat. In retrospect, it was a good mistake, as it caused a lot less damage than it could have.