Movie Style Guy: Win a Fight

Posted by Robert Fure (robert@filmschoolrejects.com) on March 13, 2008

Movie Style Guy is coming to you a touch late this week, but to make it up to you, I’m going to throw some pointers your way on how to knock someone out, win a fight, and Never Back Down. Heh. First of all, I guess I should say your best bet is to run away, I am not a “certified” instructor, and all that bull crap, and that fighting may get you killed. But I did retire from Tae Kwon Do with an 8-0 record, amature boxing at 4-0, and fencing at 11-2. So take that for what its worth.

Defend Yourself

The key to not dying or getting knocked out is to not get hit anywhere really important. You’ll want to keep your hands up to try to stave off any attacks to your head. In a fight, most people throw big looping roundhouse punches, which can easily be deflected off to the sides.

Counter

Most people are right handed, so in a fight, the first thing likely to come your way after a shove is a big loopy right hand punch/slap combo. Countering this, if you’re sober and aware, is about the easiest thing in the world. Use your left hand to block the incoming strike by raising it up and to the left to intercept. At the same time, strike out with your right hand to the aggressor. Simple. It’s worth noting that the strongest position for you to be in is a front fighting stance, or boxing stance, with your non-dominant foot out in front, and your non dominant shoulder leading a little bit.

Target

The targets on the face include the chin, the jaw line, the nose, and the temple. These are the weakest points or the points most likely to send concussive force to the brain, resulting in a knockout. Getting hit in the nose is very, very painful. You can box the ear too, by cupping your hand and slapping the side of his head. Be aware that really hurting someone in a fight, or just fighting, can land you in jail.

Another target for the fist is the throat. This is a more serious strike than any of the others, as it can cause serious damage or even death. Use this in the “I need to save my life” role.

Kicks

Most people with no training can’t throw a decent enough kick to consider it a strong weapon. That said, some sissy kicks to the right places are very effective. Your targets are the shins (pain), the kneecap (debilitating) and the groin (sweet lord my boys!). Don’t try to kick anything higher, or you’ll pretty easily be taken off balance. If you have some natural ability, you kick with the heel, but this usually telegraphs the kick, as its best thrown as a sidekick. For your average person, the kick to the groin is top of the foot, and the other two are ball of the foot or heel.

Speed & The Choke Out

This is aimed more at the mixed martial arts crowd, though it certainly applies to any fight. The key to winning, I’ve found, is speed in transitions. Moving from one attack to the next, as quickly as possible. Watch any Mike Tyson fight (in his prime) to see someone who relentlessly just keeps throwing to different areas. In this scenario, a choke out becomes imminently possible. When guys fight, a lot of times it ends up in a standing grapple. Speed is now of the essence as you try to get your arms under his in the grapple and hold him tightly. So Imagine you’re bear hugging this guy. Squeeze tightly and then release, throwing your left arm over his right shoulder. Hold him. (Love not required) Next, apply some pressure with right hand body shots or knees to the legs. Quickly transition by pulling down on his body with your left arm and as fast as you can, swinging your body around his. The goal is to end up behind him with your left arm around his neck. Squeeze your left arm, grab your left wrist with your right hand, lean back, and its night-night time.

Now clearly, this isn’t perfect, this isn’t the only thing to do, yatta yatta. It is amazingly hard and time consuming to write fight directions and with all the variables in a fight, you can never clearly write down what to do. If you are serious about defending yourself, take a class. If you want to fight for fun, sign up for a class.

But by following these basic principles of defending yourself, countering blows, striking the right targets, and moving quickly, its possible for you to knock down that drunk idiot at the bar. Remember - Don’t go to jail!

And fights rarely are fair. So usually you should get out of there. Or if its a life and death situation, cheat. Hit the throat, poke eyes, hit with objects, and then run. And never be afraid to kick someone right in the balls, its as effective as you think. I’m your Movie Style Guy saying “Don’t get into a fight and don’t blame me!”

We do not endorse fighting, nor recommend you do it. This is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Plus, you will probably still get your ass kicked, anyway.

Read more articles by Robert Fure