Hand to Hand Combat
This theoretical article will explore the different elements of hand to hand combat also introducing several practical tactics that can aid in an effective conclusion to a fight. Although supplementary weapons are discussed the term of hand to hand as applicable here relates to fights where the only weapon is the hand.
Mentality during combat
Before any fight begins it is very crucial that a correct line of thought is assumed. Street fighting is very different from the fighting seen in movies or in a ring. It is very important to understand that in such a fight a person can sustain serious if not life threatening injuries especially when the use of supplementary weapons such as broken bottles, knives and clubs is introduced. For the purpose of avoiding such self injury the opponent’s ability to cause harm should not be underestimated. An easy way to explain this is to say that if you consider fairplay important in a fight your enemy will take advantage of that and cause you a lot of harm. Civillized conceptions have no place in a fight except perhaps in the movies, take any chance you get to destroy your opponent because if you do not he will. This mentality of the urgency of self servival is the first step to winning a fight.
The objective of a fight
What are the goals in hand to hand combat ? these can vary between incapacitating your enemy to staying alive. Recognize your objective and the severity of the fight you are involved in. Simply said, if you are lucky enough to be involved in a clean fight where only fists are involved you would have to incapacitate your opponent to win, however if your opponent draws a broken bottle or knife you will have to fight to stay alive. Understand the relationship between you and your opponent, if you are fighting with a friend over a serious disagreement the stakes are a lot less than fighting with a stranger in a bar, if you do not know assume the worst and fight to stay alive.
The element of surprise
The majority of fights are won by the person who throws the first punch. Taking your opponent by surprise and striking at his weak zones (discussed later) would give you a better chance of emerging as the victor. If you are in a situation that has deteriorated to a point where action is demanded do not wait for your opponent to strike, this will put you in a very vulnerable position and will very probably result in defeat.
Power of groups
Although dishonorable in context it is always important to gather a group to support you. This is especially true when you are to confront your opponent and he knows that and gathers all his supporters to do battle. If groups are to be involved the person with the larger group will always win. If you do not have the resources to gather a group an alternative is perhaps to pay to acquire a group of bodyguards through the local private investigation or security services. Such services are usually set up by ex military individuals who have a lot of practical combat experience and training. If you are challenged to a fight you should fully expect your enemy to gather a group of supporters to aid in his fight.
Footwork
On to the pracitcal side of hand to hand combat. The first practical element is the ability to use your footwork for evasion and attack. If you stand in one place during a fight you will be an easy target. By being fast and mobile you increase the confusion in your foe and give youself more vantage points from which you can strike or defend. Your Footwork should be used in combination with evasions and attacks. The simplest stance involves you standing with the opponent facing your side your left foot behind you poised with your arms in fighting position. With this stance you would be able to move in eight directions as quickly as possible.
Defensive tactics
During combat defend an opponents punches by striking out at his incoming punches thus meeting them halfway and voiding their threat. With training this is not so difficult to do as it appears. By observing your opponent you can foretell his actions. Punches usually start with movement in the shoulders and that is a good tell tale of iminent danger. similarly defense against his kicks can be achieved by raising your knee to meet the incoming strikes, avoid strikes to your knees as they are a weak point.
Offensive tactics and strikezones
When striking at an enemy identify his weak zones which will give you effective strike results. STarting at the head one weak zone is his eyes, a jab to the eyes would leave him temporarily blinded and unable to fight. Similarly used as the well known OSS move in close quarter combat where an open hand covers his face with the fingers in the eyesockets. A square punch or elbow to the nose results in temporary disability, this is because there is a large concentration of nerves in that area and finally for the upper region is the throat which a strike to can disable breathing. Below that are the rib cages, an upward side thrust to the ribs results in breathing disability. Below that the crotch where there are a high concentration of nerves, a swift kick there is better than a knee jab. Finally a commonly overlooked weak zone, the knees; the best way to approach this target is to move swiftly towards the enemy and hit diagonally downwards with the foot on the front or side of the knee, using this tactic will probably bring the foe to the ground. A combination of hits to more than one of these weak zones can cripple the enemy and destroy his ability to fight.
supplementary weapons
The introduction of a weapon in a hand to hand fight changes the scenario dramatically, a sharp tool such as a broken bottle or a knife can cause life threatening damage. For this reason it is important to disable the opponent before he procures such a weapon. It is emphasized in the mentality section discussed earlier that you should have no second thoughts about delivering a crippling blow to your foe because such a bad judgement could result in him desperately acquiring a dangerous tool to aid in his victory. There is no easy way to defend against a knife attack or any dangerous tool without using your own knife or club type tool in self defense. If such a tool is not available the best alternative is to escape the scene unharmed, to live to fight another day so to speak.
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