Could spitting be a legitimate self-defense tactic in certain situations?

[Maxetai]

Think about it:
You're more of a striker and the dude has grabbed you and is about to put you down on the floor and you ass would be grass. So what do you do? Before he puts your ass (and back and head) on the floor, you spit on his face, he is startled for a split second and loses his rhythm, and then you deliver a couple of elbows to his head, maybe a knee to his groin, and zap, you're out of there!

OR

You're more of a grappler and the dude is so fast with his feet and fists that you simply can't get near him. You finally manage to close the distance but he's fighting like a Motha Fu..er and you simply can't get a good hold of the bastard to bring him down and show who's the Boss. So... you spit on his face, he is startled/disgusted for a split second and finally you got him where you want him!

I've never trained protecting myself while my attacker/opponent spit at me. Just the idea makes me puke.
I imagine that if someone we're to spit at my face at an opportune time, I could very well be in trouble.
Well, is 'The Spit' a legitimate sel-defence tactic? Would it work given the right opportunity?

[Thai Bri]

A spit can buy you an instant of time. As he instinctively veers back away from it, you have an opportunity to act.

It is also a recognised part of Richard Dimitri's "Shredder" concept. That is a barrage of slaps, gouges, nips, bites, head cranks etc etc., and a spit can just join the fun in making the other guy wish he had never been born.

[darrianation]

Spoo-jutsu!

[Szczepankiewicz]

What do you know about spitting Thai?

You've never spit out anything you could fit in that chasm you call a mouthpiece a day in your life???? (Which is coming up quickly on 40 years!)

The Thai Family Crest is a big fat bird known as the Split Tailed Manchester Swallow!

Maybe if you did spit once in awhile you wouldn't have to fully extend your T Rex nubby arms to reach the keyboard.

Fat bastard!

Spanky

[Thai Bri]

You're the one they call "the swallow". And it ain't anything to do with being a bird.

Now wipe them there pubeys off yer chin.

[Szczepankiewicz]

That was a pathetic comeback.

Youv'e hit an all-time low.

You suck. And that's sad.

[darrianation]

Hee,hee you guys are funny.

Now for a serious post: How about Loogie-te?

[osopardo]

I never thought about it, but now that you "bring it up" I'm gonna have to start incorporating that technique as part of my training. Just cant wait 'till free sparring tomorrow nite!

"KIAAAIII!!!! P-TOOEY!!"

[Szczepankiewicz]

Just don't do a big inhale while you're trying to spit.

Bitty learned this the hard way.

[millie]

if you had sars it could be use full after a while i guess

[Drew Howe]

Every fight I've found myself in I have had a dry mouth. So, for me that wouldn't work. I've talked with other people about this that have had the same experience.

[IPON]

Re: Could spitting be a legitimate self-defense tactic in certain situations?

Originally posted by Maxetai
Think about it:
You're more of a striker and the dude has grabbed you and is about to put you down on the floor and you ass would be grass. So what do you do?
OR

You're more of a grappler and the dude is so fast with his feet and fists that you simply can't get near him. You finally manage to close the distance but he's fighting like a Motha Fu..er and you simply can't get a good hold of the bastard to bring him down and show who's the Boss.

Spitting definately not on the high end of reality. Obviously, it's dependent on weather conditions (wind, rain etc). You need to practicaly be in a clinch since spittal a projectile is not consistant in accuacy, form, volume, distance. Also, it will give you .05 secs, but you can loose equally as much time just trying to spit. You will elevate the fight just becuase of the discgusting fator as you mentioned. It will not slow somone shooting on you at all. Standing, again, a half second much better techniques actually thats just a gimmick..nothing to spend time on.

[foolsknight362]

Well, as Bruce Lee said, use what works. If you can spit on your opponent to take his focus off of you for an instance, than why not use it.

Then again, on the other hand it is not exactly the most honorable of ways to get your opponent distracted.

Therefore, in competitions and sparring, I would say that there is no need for it.

In a real life situation when you have to defend your life or someone else's life...... Spit on their face and kick them in the groin.
The Ways of JKD.

[Cain]

well, when drugaddicts try to spit at me when I'm working (I'm working security) i take it as a VERY serious attack.. (they have herpes, gonorea, HIV/AIDS...) and kick their ass..

[osopardo]

Well, I did it! Was in class earlier tonite and when it was my turn at free sparring I bowed to my opponent, assumed my ready stance, and when the instructor said "Begin!" I hauled off and hacked a big juicy one right at the guy. The guy jumps back and he's all "WTF?!?" A coupla girls standing around watching were all like "Eww, GROSS!!!" So the instructor comes over and he's all like "What's going on here?" So the other guy is like taking off his shirt and yelling "He spit on me!"

All that time I coulda nailed him a coupla times 'coz all he's thinking about is how there's green slimy phlegm all over his uniform but I figured he was suffering enough. So yeah, it works.

I'm now thinking it might also work if you pull your pants down and whizz all over him, but that's logistically a little trickier.