Ask A Thug

[Tokyo Kid]

I've noticed in many of these threads there is a lot of hypothetical assumptions on the abilities or intentions of thieves, muggers, junkies, and other assorted low-lifes. Most of it is wrong. I guess it's mostly because much of the "experience" of self-defence instructors is based on what they see on television or movies, or what they learned from other martial artists.

One of the most tired assumption is "most street kids can't fight", and how they "will most inevitably throw a haymaker". Well you had better hope so, because if the lil' banger decides to loosen you up with a jab into a flurry of straight head shots, looks like all you got from krotty lessons is a set of comfy PJs.

Maybe I can help. I was once a thug. A petty thief. Gang member. Drug dealer. But just so we're clear on this, that was in the past, and I've payed my debt to society. So you can use this opportunity to learn, or you can waste it by tsk-tsking and finger-wagging.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[mellow]

I've noticed in many of these threads there is a lot of hypothetical assumptions on the abilities or intentions of thieves, muggers, junkies, and other assorted low-lifes. Most of it is wrong. I guess it's mostly because much of the "experience" of self-defence instructors is based on what they see on television or movies, or what they learned from other martial artists.

One of the most tired assumption is "most street kids can't fight", and how they "will most inevitably throw a haymaker". Well you had better hope so, because if the lil' banger decides to loosen you up with a jab into a flurry of straight head shots, looks like all you got from krotty lessons is a set of comfy PJs.

Maybe I can help. I was once a thug. A petty thief. Gang member. Drug dealer. But just so we're clear on this, that was in the past, and I've payed my debt to society. So you can use this opportunity to learn, or you can waste it by tsk-tsking and finger-wagging.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

can you point out some examples?

[Tokyo Kid]

examples of misconceptions? well, I've never seen anyone train against the proper way to mug someone. Maybe because the proper way to mug someone is much like Mr. Miyagis crane kick: can no defend. Hell, even if you could, trying to stop a mugger is a ridiculous risk anyway, so why waste time? If someone says "stick em up" and places a gun to your belly (which doesn't happen), do what he says. After all, he's the professional here. Myself, I was never a mugger anyway, to much risk.

[mellow]

You're making straw men here to pick for an argument that you can win. Show me a thread that talks about the proper way to mug someone. . . .

[Tokyo Kid]

Oh, you mean examples of threads with misconceptions. You can disregard that then, it's more of my own experience in threads on martial arts forums in general, and techniques taught in martial arts classes.
I don't think a thread exists that shows the proper way to mug someone, but that's my point. The fact that you shouldn't try to resist a mugger I'm sure has been addressed.
I'm not trying to pick arguements, I'm here to answer questions. I doubt my own mistakes count as a "win" in any case.

[jubaji]

because if the lil' banger decides to loosen you up with a jab into a flurry of straight head shots, looks like all you got from krotty lessons is a set of comfy PJs.

Yeah, if some greasy scumbag slides out of the shadows puts a gun to the back of your head then giving up the wallet or whatever sure seems the wise move, but as for some little street scrub trying to throw a jab and some head shots, then someone with training, conditioning, and real experience is where I'd put my money (which is ONE reason why street scum usually don't have the balls to do shit unless they are armed or with a pack of their fellow losers). The real problem is not how 'skilled' the average filthy street dirt is but how lacking in real experience the average belt-collector really is.

p.s. using 'cute' terms like "krotty" and "PJs" just makes you sound like more of an idiot.

[Tokyo Kid]

Yeah, if some greasy scumbag slides out of the shadows puts a gun to the back of your head then giving up the wallet or whatever sure seems the wise move, but as for some little street scrub trying to throw a jab and some head shots, then someone with training, conditioning, and real experience is where I'd put my money (which is ONE reason why street scum usually don't have the balls to do shit unless they are armed or with a pack of their fellow losers). The real problem is not how 'skilled' the average filthy street dirt is but how lacking in real experience the average belt-collector really is.

You're absoultely right IMO. The problem is, experience is what criminals seek and good people generally avoid.

p.s. using 'cute' terms like "krotty" and "PJs" just makes you sound like more of an idiot.

wow, dude, why are you trying to hurt my feelings?

[mellow]

The problem is, experience is what criminals seek

Oh, I always thought it was money for the most part. See I'm learning something already. . . . .

[jubaji]

wow, dude, why are you trying to hurt my feelings?

.....................

So you can improve.

[shaolin-warrior]

If you're a Fighter, and you train self defense, you don't care what someone else brings. Haymaker, straight punches, dosent matter. You know what you have to do, you've trained for this for a long time. Never under estimate your opponent, and if you decide to engage in battle, never doubt yourself, pick your target and destroy it. Know that you more than likely will be hit back, a cool head prevails. If your training was sufficient, you win. But remember, lots of kids that never trained in a dojo can kick some serious tail. Just hope that the one that targeted you can't.You just never know until you accept the challenge. No matter what your ability, if you can walk away, then thats the best option. If you have to fight, then fight hard. All the hypothetical threads are just that, meant to spark up a conversation. " The real problem is not how 'skilled' the average filthy street dirt is but how lacking in real experience the average belt-collector really is. " Great reply Jubaji.

[Tokyo Kid]

Oh, I always thought it was money for the most part. See I'm learning something already. . . . .

Experience brings reputation. It's like most occupations, the more experienced you are, the better you are. The better you are, the more money you make. For the most part, it is money. But it's only part of it.

[Tokyo Kid]

If you're a Fighter, and you train self defense, you don't care what someone else brings. Haymaker, straight punches, dosent matter. You know what you have to do, you've trained for this for a long time. Never under estimate your opponent, and if you decide to engage in battle, never doubt yourself, pick your target and destroy it. Know that you more than likely will be hit back, a cool head prevails. If your training was sufficient, you win. But remember, lots of kids that never trained in a dojo can kick some serious tail. Just hope that the one that targeted you can't.You just never know until you accept the challenge. No matter what your ability, if you can walk away, then thats the best option. If you have to fight, then fight hard. All the hypothetical threads are just that, meant to spark up a conversation. " The real problem is not how 'skilled' the average filthy street dirt is but how lacking in real experience the average belt-collector really is. " Great reply Jubaji.

this isn't a question at all.

[jonbey]

I certainly idea agree that its a myth that the average thug does not know how to fight. When I first starting martial arts I was at Uni and a friend was a bit of a brawler. He had no martial arts lessons but had been fighting on the streets since he was about 12 (good old fashioned fighting in the UK, no weapons). A lot of the "tricks" he learned and used from actual fighting experience are taught in martial arts though. Stuff like closing down an opponent, grabs and pinches (he called them nips). He was a big guy and was genuinely an experienced fighter, more so than most martial artists.

[h3X]

I had several friends who used to deal drugs. Never did it myself though. I suppose I have another view on risk vs reward.
I want to applaud you for coming here and giving us the opportunity to ask you questions. It's a good thing of you to be honest about your past. Too bad I don't really have any questions. Although I've had my ass handed to me by thugs in the past I'm not scared of it happening again.. I have great confidence in my physical ability. Maybe I'll try to make this a question though; I'm easily scared by mental posturing, people mouthing off to me getting in my face. I wonder what to say to an asshole before it's "acceptable" to punch him in the face. I reckon a thug should have a million answers to this one..

[Blue Wave Gym]

hmm....

Here's my two cent's: first lets agree that different situations call for different tactics. Example when I fought in the ring I used one set of tactics, when I was a bouncer( probably involved in at least 300 altercations, saw one murder) another set of tactics. When I lived on the street for 3 years another set of tactics. I saw alot of stabbings and robberies ect.) So in a jack move situation if the person is armed you're in trouble, if they are not and there is only one of them and you can't side step them or run then you better strike first strike hard no mercy sir hehe. The most common thing seen in the bar and on the street is the guy who hits first and keeps swinging for the fences usually catches the other guy and wins, both people try to grab each other and hit without getting hit, eventually someone either loses their ballance and ends up on the ground or someone puts the other person on the ground via a sloppy throw, or take down or tackle. Examples of street altercations I've seen: at lunch in a shelter, one guy stabbed another with a fork the other guy grabbbed him and body slammed him on a table lol. A guy attacked a guy in a wheel chair, the wheel chair guy launched himself out of the wheel chair and tackled the attacker and put him on the ground and stabbed him alot of times with a screw driver A guy owed money and got the back of a claw hammer buried in his skull. A guy got his neck sliced with a box cutter and ran spurting to the hospital thankfully it was only one block away. I have confidence in my abilities in the ring, I have confidence in my abilities to throw someone out of a bar. I have zero confidence in my ability to win a street fight if attacked by someone who is skilled at street fighting and is a hard core criminal(think of the peolle on national geo graphic special or on msnbc's lock up) Also alot of the knife atttacks I've seen ddin't work out for the attacker, the defender was able to get a hold of the attackers arm and pin the weapon up against a fence or wall. They got stabbed or cut but not to badly. These people were people that had been attacked by knives in prison before and had neck and stomach scars to prove it so that really helped them out, way moree than any training I think.