How Do You Train For A Street Fight

[Mannie]

How do you train for a street fight?
Regardless of style, mindset and physical ability,
HOW DO YOU TRAIN FOR IT

[Chief Fox]

By getting into street fights.

[YuanZhideDiZhen]

by picking fights or by paying someone with fight experience.

[Mikkyou]

How do you train for a street fight? How do you train to avoid a car crash?You can't.But you can be trained in First Aid,You make sure everything is in working order and your wearing your seatbelt.
I say this when we practice our techniques usually after I been punched sometimes bleeding"Martial art techniques are not 100% sometimes you get hit
sometimes maybe cut the goal is to make it home safe"Expect to be hit :)

[SanSoo Student]

You train in street fighter ;)

[sk8fool]

walk around in a white robe, with a white hood covering your head. Unless you live in a place with all caucasins you will most likely get some training.

[bodhitree]

trian your strengths , improve your weaknesses, and definately don't think you can expect anything, street fights have no rules, it can be 8 people beating you up or when your fighting one person a metal pipe may crack the back of your head open, all of the training in the world can't garuntee success on the street, however it can help in some circumstance.

[ewallace]

My answer is awareness of surroundings.

For instance, my walk to and from the parking garage at work is where alot of bums and hoodrats hang out. As I am walking I take notice of anyone who could be a potential attacker (my basis is anyone who is in close enough in proximity, not by the way they look). I take into account the spacing around me, natural resources that can be used as a weapon, number of people together, how long it takes me to pull out my blade and flip the lever (it's an "assisted" opener knife) to see if it's an option. I also look at how a person is walking towards me and the look in their eyes. I then start looking at size, build, and what the best first target/strike I would use if necessary. It's similair to how a quarterback (American Football) makes his reads as he drops back to pass. I also look around for the transit and other police as well, if I have the option to run, which is preferable.

Most martial artists train to fight. But as for actually training for a street fight, I don't know that there is really a physical way to do so. Sure you can mess around with training knives and plastic bottles, but mental training in possible real situations is very beneficial to keep from getting ambushed by surprise.

[whitefox]

Practice how you would truely fight, and fight how you have practiced. :)

[brothernumber9]

Practice sprinting and running through obstacle courses in plain clothes, you can't get jacked up if you can't get caught.

[Losttrak]

The only way you can really prepare yourself for a street fight is to resign yourself to the fact that you might die. Once you don't give a shiyt anymore, it will certainly improve the outcome.

Oh and what to train? Balls and eyes, my friend... balls and eyes.

[Losttrak]

You know, I thought about it... Screw martial arts in street fights. Just carry some mace or pepper spray. Some nice chemical warfare can beat chi anyday.

[ewallace]

You know, I thought about it... Screw martial arts in street fights. Just carry some mace or pepper spray. Some nice chemical warfare can beat chi anyday.
A dynamite vest would work against multiple attackers. Unfortunately you would be toast as well.


On a side note, mace and/or pepper spray aren't always that effective. I got sprayed (unintentionally) and it did burn my eyes but really just ****ed me off. Just like any weapon on you, you may not even have time to pull it out when attacked.

If you really want to go chemical, some bleach or sulphuric acid in a squirt-gun would suffice. But the SA would definitely limit the shelf-life of the squirt gun. :D

[SevenStar]

I pepper sprayed my self - how cool is that? :D FWIW, I had the same experience ewallace did - it burned, but that's about it.

[SevenStar]

The only way you can really prepare yourself for a street fight is to resign yourself to the fact that you might die. Once you don't give a shiyt anymore, it will certainly improve the outcome.

Oh and what to train? Balls and eyes, my friend... balls and eyes.


been kicked in the balls in a fight before - I didn't feel it until the fight was done. I know a few others who have had the same experience. For that reason, I don't stress striking there as part of a self defense program.

[SevenStar]

My answer is awareness of surroundings.

For instance, my walk to and from the parking garage at work is where alot of bums and hoodrats hang out. As I am walking I take notice of anyone who could be a potential attacker (my basis is anyone who is in close enough in proximity, not by the way they look). I take into account the spacing around me, natural resources that can be used as a weapon, number of people together, how long it takes me to pull out my blade and flip the lever (it's an "assisted" opener knife) to see if it's an option. I also look at how a person is walking towards me and the look in their eyes. I then start looking at size, build, and what the best first target/strike I would use if necessary. It's similair to how a quarterback (American Football) makes his reads as he drops back to pass. I also look around for the transit and other police as well, if I have the option to run, which is preferable.

Most martial artists train to fight. But as for actually training for a street fight, I don't know that there is really a physical way to do so. Sure you can mess around with training knives and plastic bottles, but mental training in possible real situations is very beneficial to keep from getting ambushed by surprise.


bingo. ewallace has kicked the correct in the balls and subdued it.

[SevenStar]

walk around in a white robe, with a white hood covering your head. Unless you live in a place with all caucasins you will most likely get some training.


that won't get you into fights, it will get you shot and castrated...

[YuanZhideDiZhen]

that won't get you into fights, it will get you shot and castrated...

Ah! wise observation Hook Clawed Grasshopper! perfect practice makes perfect master. always train against methods better than your own to improve your technique. fighting against multiple attackers with knives and guns very good for all around survival skills. good training see if iron shirt qiqong practice propperly. otherwise very foolish. :p

[Mr Punch]

:confused:

I thought Losttrak's suggestion to train balls and eyes was about training to grow a pair (get aggressive) and your perception/observation...? No?!

If he was talking about nuts strikes, twists and kicks and eye gouges and pokes or whatever, then it's a daft thing to say. You need the position to get any of those attacks in, and the position in a streetfight is gonna have to be through keeping your (read/assume 'well-trained, live'...;) ) MA principles (and of course, associated techs) in the midst of the fear, adrenalin and the thick of everything flying, and through the aggression.


I then start looking at size, build, and what the best first target/strike I would use if necessary.Good post ewallace, but I would add to this. I don't personally think about where to strike, because picking specific targets is begging to be lost in the initial adrenaline dump... strikes to most chosen targets are gonna come under fine motor skills, and they're gonna get lost in the first few seconds, and then furthermore you're gonna be panicking about a back up.

Target visualization has worked for me only twice, both times for the throat and both times when I had the benefit of at least partial surprise (both times splitting up fights).

Thinking combos and different zones is in my experience more useful. So rather than thinking, 'this guy's big, I'll kick him in the knee', thinking more like, 'this guy's big on top, but he has scrawny legs, so I'll work a high low combo' to get his big arms on the defensive while you sweep/low kick etc. Keep it general.

To illustrate, one time the guy I was against was an animal, a real animal, and he was with his friends. My old man was containing him (my old man's huge, but this guy was berserk) and his friends and my bro were just getting to pitch in. The guy broke away from my old man, and I went for a kick in the side of the knee (I was wearing big boots), and it just bounced off... this guy was already drunk and not feeling anything... I then lost a couple of vital seconds (at least it felt like that, could have been less), giving him the initiative. The rest was pretty messy.

Apart from thinking in general zones, I've also found through long experience living in rough areas, drinking in rough places (in my younger days :D ), on the door etc that I automatically check out not how big people are, but if they have any distinctive characteristics like a limp, however slight, or other bodily imbalances.

Sounds a bit crazy maybe, but especially if you've practised a grappling art (maybe especially a touchy-feely one like aiki?) you get to read imbalances in people's bodies. Dunno, but maybe it's because in aiki there are a lot of older people, and people with progressive or repetitive injuries, and we were always taught to have respect for the people you train with, so I'm used to spotting people's weaknesses a mile off. Maybe it's just me.

I have been right many many times though on this one, and I do believe that it's something you can train yourself to do. It also impresses chicks no end if you can tell them where they're uptight etc... :cool: ;) :D

I don't know how useful this may be in a fight, but I did accurately read a potential kungfu teacher's weaknesses once and easily took advantage of him in chi sao (in the nicest possible way of course) so maybe it's transferable.

[Mr Punch]

BTW, most of the grief in smaller countries (than the States) and cities seems to come from closer and more unpreventable sources nowadays. Eg, in Japan, and in the UK recently I've been reading more and more about random nutters stabbing people on the Tube or just walking behind someone in the street.

No amount of awareness will prevent you from one of these attacks. Unless you (a) walk around like a highly-strung basket case, or (b) really cultivate the mushin (no-mind) aspects of traditional zen (chan) meditation. I think this no-mindedness can really improve your response time and even go so far as a little development of some 'sixth sense' kind of thing. I've no scientific basis for this belief, and I don't believe it's particularly provable/disprovable.

On the other hand, the little Systema I've practised and the whole lot I've seen and been shown would seem like a good art for street fighting. There's no stance for a start. I mean really, no stance. And literally a little under half of every lesson is getting punched, kicked, hit with sticks and chains, rolling around on the floor avoiding people dropping real sharp knives on you and other such whacky fun and games. The other half is doing those things to other people!

[Mr Punch]

walk around in a white robe, with a white hood covering your head.
that won't get you into fights, it will get you shot and castrated...Those poor Benedictines!!! :eek:

[Shaolinlueb]

learn the super chi blast. and how to surround yourself with fire. cause no one likes to touch fire.

[BIGG S-MANTIS]

U Cant Train For A Street Fight. Being In The Streets Is Your Training, Because U Already Know What To Expect From The Idiots That Like To Start The Fight. Scouts Model "be Prepared"

[Odin of Wei]

been kicked in the balls in a fight before - I didn't feel it until the fight was done. I know a few others who have had the same experience. For that reason, I don't stress striking there as part of a self defense program.
My health teacher told me that if you get hit there hard enough you could go into shock. :eek:

[redofthenorth]

I agree with sevenstar I belive the best way is to stay awarte of surondings use perefreial vision " Moon Eye". And there is nothing wrong with running or geting away from the fight you will still wake up in the morning a man or woman , the only thang that would be hurt is your ego and that heals in time. A great man named Mushashi once said " If you draw your sword you will die" this is a posibility in a street fight so decide if a name caling match or ego fight is worth yours or there life. Only fight when you have to and if you must use the "Lung Fu Gin Shin" (Power of tiger spirit of the dragon).

[g0pher]

How do you train for a street fight?
Regardless of style, mindset and physical ability,
HOW DO YOU TRAIN FOR IT

You practice kung fu like you have no tomorrow. You could spar, but what are the odds of you getting into a fight with a guy on the street who has done Muay Thai or Karate for 15 years?

Just practice your moves and they eventually become instinct. With enough practice, when someone punches you, you react anon by going into a cross stance so the punch misses, or you run through a sticky hand drill with precision. And that is just a mildly experience student. When you get good, you just start punching the limbs of your attacker away. But of course this depends on your attitude. You have the killer instinct or you don't.

[Mr Punch]

When you get good, you just start punching the limbs of your attacker away.You've never been in a street/bar fight have you?
But of course this depends on your attitude. You have the killer instinct or you don't.And this is a different thing to what you just mentioned. You were talking about fine motor skills of punching small moving targets away, and now you're talking about the hindbrain instincts. Very different.

To get to the fine motor skills in a fight, assuming it can be done, you need an extremely well-disciplined brain to give you the objectivity, the calmness (maybe even describable as cold-blooded) which is where the monklike aspects would have to come in.

The killer instinct you speak of is what exactly? Basic survival instinct is fight/flight. It is not a killer instinct, it is a hit and/or run away instinct. Killer instinct is also cold-blooded, the instinct of a hunter. Hunting animals know their prey is just that, weaker and defenseless, and they (the hunters) can't think strategically because they are just operating on instinct, on patterns of behaviour.

Of course, humans were/are part-hunter. So assuming your survival instinct is fight/flight, at some point in any fight your attacker may become the weaker, your instinct may tell you to kill him. Our capacity to override this is what makes us human.

The only killer instinct you could therefore have is not innate, but learned. And that of a hunter in humans against other humans would be sociopathic/psychopathic.

[Mannie]

Well done Matt.
Your advice is sound and in accordance with my experience of 12 years doorwork.
Key points to remember:
1. Most street encounters start of verbally - if this is not handled properly then physical encounter is next.
2. The attacker most of the time has the upper hand - he/she chooses the time/place/method of attack (most martial systems teach self defence and not self preservation - self defence requires the attacker to strike first - wrong/wrong/wrong)
3. Most attacks are medium to close range assaults - this is most often a king hit
4. 100% of street assaults start standing up

- Aggression over Aesthetics
- Simplicity over Complexity

[bodhitree]

find someone smaller and weaker than you

[Vasquez]

You've never been in a street/bar fight have you?And this is a different thing to what you just mentioned. You were talking about fine motor skills of punching small moving targets away, and now you're talking about the hindbrain instincts. Very different.

To get to the fine motor skills in a fight, assuming it can be done, you need an extremely well-disciplined brain to give you the objectivity, the calmness (maybe even describable as cold-blooded) which is where the monklike aspects would have to come in.

The killer instinct you speak of is what exactly? Basic survival instinct is fight/flight. It is not a killer instinct, it is a hit and/or run away instinct. Killer instinct is also cold-blooded, the instinct of a hunter. Hunting animals know their prey is just that, weaker and defenseless, and they (the hunters) can't think strategically because they are just operating on instinct, on patterns of behaviour.

Of course, humans were/are part-hunter. So assuming your survival instinct is fight/flight, at some point in any fight your attacker may become the weaker, your instinct may tell you to kill him. Our capacity to override this is what makes us human.

The only killer instinct you could therefore have is not innate, but learned. And that of a hunter in humans against other humans would be sociopathic/psychopathic.

LOL if you think animals don't have to learn to hunt. Lions have to learn strategy as well as how to kill a prey. LOL at what you said.

[ewallace]

Good post ewallace, but I would add to this. I don't personally think about where to strike, because picking specific targets is begging to be lost in the initial adrenaline dump... strikes to most chosen targets are gonna come under fine motor skills, and they're gonna get lost in the first few seconds, and then furthermore you're gonna be panicking about a back up.

I agree, and lemme clarify what I meant as I didn't 'splain it very well. When I mentioned targets and strikes, I am being very general. I decide whether I will punch or kick first, and whether it will be aimed at the upper or lower extremities. This is all based on the size and posture of the individual.

[Mr Punch]

LOL if you think animals don't have to learn to hunt. Lions have to learn strategy as well as how to kill a prey. LOL at what you said.Glad you're enjoying yourself. I like to spread a little happiness.

Now perhaps you'd like to explain where I said animals don't have to learn to hunt, and how it's relevant to the thread.

But BTW, lions don't learn strategy. You are anthropomorphising. Strategy is planning based on reasoning and logical deduction. Lions may instinctively have a rudimentary capability for strategisation based on behaviour patterns and they may even be able to pass this on to their young. This does not contradict what I said.

[Mr Punch]

Cheers for the clarification ewallace. We're talking about the same thing.

[Vasquez]

Glad you're enjoying yourself. I like to spread a little happiness.

Now perhaps you'd like to explain where I said animals don't have to learn to hunt, and how it's relevant to the thread.

But BTW, lions don't learn strategy. You are anthropomorphising. Strategy is planning based on reasoning and logical deduction. Lions may instinctively have a rudimentary capability for strategisation based on behaviour patterns and they may even be able to pass this on to their young. This does not contradict what I said.

Logical reasoning - lets see. If not A then B. At some stage a lion would figure to pounce a wilderbeast from the back not from the front (like where the horms are).

[Infrazael]

Learn? You can't "learn."

Prepare? Hell yes.

1) Knife, or multiple knives (or other sharp objects)

2) Gun. Any sort of gun helps

3) Martial Arts. This really helps too, I'm sure

4) Kung Fu bracers, especially for the Southern guys. A Sao Choy with a leather bracer with multiple metal points sticking out of it is going to kill someone

5) Be ready to turn into an absolute animal. By this I mean raking their face repeatedly, punching their throat repeatedly, jumping on them while they are down, slamming their head into cement, biting them in the throat, arms, nose, ears, lips, or any other place you can get to.

6) Don't focus on fighting; instead focus on the complete destruction of your opponent in the most brutal, nasty way imaginable.

That's all I have to say. . . . . .

[Vasquez]

Learn? You can't "learn."

Prepare? Hell yes.

1) Knife, or multiple knives (or other sharp objects)

2) Gun. Any sort of gun helps

3) Martial Arts. This really helps too, I'm sure

4) Kung Fu bracers, especially for the Southern guys. A Sao Choy with a leather bracer with multiple metal points sticking out of it is going to kill someone

5) Be ready to turn into an absolute animal. By this I mean raking their face repeatedly, punching their throat repeatedly, jumping on them while they are down, slamming their head into cement, biting them in the throat, arms, nose, ears, lips, or any other place you can get to.

6) Don't focus on fighting; instead focus on the complete destruction of your opponent in the most brutal, nasty way imaginable.

That's all I have to say. . . . . .

shows your lack of confidence to think of going to such extremes. a good maer would most oftenly rely on a clean block and counter agaisnt an average treet fighter.

[Mr Punch]

Logical reasoning - lets see. If not A then B. At some stage a lion would figure to pounce a wilderbeast from the back not from the front (like where the horms are).I don't think lions ever pounce on wildebeest's horns. Now wtf were you talking about again? :rolleyes:

Infrazael, I don't agree: see my post about instinct. If you ingrain in yourself the instinct for your kind of overkill, add to it the situational awareness, then what you have is a fine start to becoming a sociopath/psychopath. I enjoy life too much, and I don't live in where people value it so little.


a good maer would most oftenly rely on a clean block and counter agaisnt an average treet fighter.On the other hand, I also value life too much to believe this nonsense. Believe me, I've had my share of streetfights and bar-room brawls, as well as working security, and this will work only against someone who does not really want to rip your head off... someone who is mostly bluff and bluster. Againsta real attacker, this naivety will get you killed.

[Vasquez]

I don't think lions ever pounce on wildebeest's horns. Now wtf were you talking about again? :rolleyes:

Infrazael, I don't agree: see my post about instinct. If you ingrain in yourself the instinct for your kind of overkill, add to it the situational awareness, then what you have is a fine start to becoming a sociopath/psychopath. I enjoy life too much, and I don't live in where people value it so little.

On the other hand, I also value life too much to believe this nonsense. Believe me, I've had my share of streetfights and bar-room brawls, as well as working security, and this will work only against someone who does not really want to rip your head off... someone who is mostly bluff and bluster. Againsta real attacker, this naivety will get you killed.

I don' think you should lose your composure just because your attacker gets a bit rough. I mean you're supposed to be well trained.

[Mr Punch]

I don' think you should lose your composure just because your attacker gets a bit rough. Who said anything about losing composure?

That as nothing to do with what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the naivety of using a 'clean block and counter' getting your head taken off. Against one swing, or one dojo/kwoon practice punch already missing your head by several inches... maybe it's OK, but against a concentrated barrage of wild swings, feints, and calculated dirty shots that many people use when they're really having a go - which one strike are you thinking of blocking cleanly?

It's pure fantasy.

[Vasquez]

Who said anything about losing composure?

That as nothing to do with what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the naivety of using a 'clean block and counter' getting your head taken off. Against one swing, or one dojo/kwoon practice punch already missing your head by several inches... maybe it's OK, but against a concentrated barrage of wild swings, feints, and calculated dirty shots that many people use when they're really having a go - which one strike are you thinking of blocking cleanly?

It's pure fantasy.

Oh you mean against someone who's just scapping. not something i worry about.

[Mr Punch]

Oh you mean against someone who's just scapping. not something i worry about.Oh you mean you don't know what you're talking about? End of chat.

[Vasquez]

Oh you mean you don't know what you're talking about? End of chat.

basic drills as a white belt will teach you how to deal with all types of punches

[Mr Punch]

Now, where were we...?

Oh that's right...

AAAAAAAAHAHAHAHHhahahahahhahhahahhahahhhahahhahaha hahhahahahahahhahahhahahhhhaaaaaahhhhnnnnnngggggnn nnghghh...
.
.
.
nggnngnnn
.
.
phew...
.
.
.
hehehe.

[MaxwellUppercut]

I really dont think you have been in any type of real fight if you think a white belt can handle all types of punches. If some big brawler type guy barrels in on you throwing punch after punch at your head, you "might" be able to block one or two if your fast. I know a guy with who has know martial arts experience and he completely cleaned up a guy who has heaps of karate experience, just shows the difference between someone who practices in a dojo to someone who is used to real life fights

[negativecr33p]

http://www.jkd-kbh.dk/sbg2.wmv

[Vasquez]

I really dont think you have been in any type of real fight if you think a white belt can handle all types of punches. If some big brawler type guy barrels in on you throwing punch after punch at your head, you "might" be able to block one or two if your fast. I know a guy with who has know martial arts experience and he completely cleaned up a guy who has heaps of karate experience, just shows the difference between someone who practices in a dojo to someone who is used to real life fights


Brawlers LOL! Just a clean block and counter is all you need.

[Dale Dugas]

Troll clown says you only need a clean block and counter.

Shows you that you have never been in a real fight, son.

Go back to the xbox and cheesy poofs and leave the MA to those who truly train.

In Boston,

Dale Dugas

[Vasquez]

Troll clown says you only need a clean block and counter.

Shows you that you have never been in a real fight, son.

Go back to the xbox and cheesy poofs and leave the MA to those who truly train.

In Boston,

Dale Dugas

LOL @ U. In TKD there's some thing known as 3 step sparring. evade, block and counter. If they grapple you can use defence No. 1

[GeneChing]

1st Feature of the Year - READ The Heavy Hand of Reality Part 1 (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1667) by Phil Humphries

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[GeneChing]

More realities of the street altercation. READ The Heavy Hand of Reality Part 2 (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1668) by Phil Humphries

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[YinOrYan]

More realities of the street altercation. READ The Heavy Hand of Reality Part 2 (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1668) by Phil Humphries


Glad that "outright stomps" were mentioned, but I would omit hooks from the list of moves that should be taken from basic boxing. To me there's just too much risk of getting a cracked rib in a street fight. Also, another "brutal wakeup call" I would say is _hitting_ for real with a human fist, so I do a bit of of hand strengthening as part of my routines. It also helps absorb the shock if falling..