Misreable and ignorant cyclist...

[highlandsflyer]

Got to agree. I started martial arts seriously in my teens and can count the number of serious fights I have been involved in one one hand, thirty years later. I mean those I could have avoided.

..and I am a pretty 'get stuck in' kind of guy. (Fnar, fnar...)

I can appreciate when feeling threatened use your vehicle as a weapon, have done so, but only when 100% the only option.

Putting distance between yourself and a threat is always the best defence.

My bro took to carrying under a pillow on his passenger seat after witnessing a drive by on his commute. I was totally paranoid he would get in deep shit taking that approach. Luckily he left that job so no longer had to travel through that area, but how things could have worked out if he had been stupid enough to put his SUV above his own welfare does not bear thinking about.

We could probably all do with learning to chill out on the road.

 

[silverclaws]

I was taught no point punching at a bony object being the face, go for the throat every time, it catches opponent unaware and causes more problems to them as they struggle for breath.

Other places are the goolies of course, a hefty boot discourages most, but grab 'em pull and twist discourages opponents more because most males don't expect males to have that knowledge let alone use it.

In close quarters stamping on a person's instep kind of also discourages, do it hard enough a foot can be broken then leg it and laugh as they try to follow.

But the next biggest defence of all is take the wind out of an opponent's sails by agreeing with them, you are what they say you are, run yourself down make their estimation better than your own and they soon lose interest of if not, they slow down enough for you to deal them a hefty blow so you can take to your heels.

The best defence is of course keep out of the way.

I was once and once only so far confronted by a chap with a stanley blade whilst I went out at night to get the ex her fags, I had her son with me and he watched, first I laughed at the individual with such a puny weapon then booted him in the goolies, full force no messing about an obvious target, his weight added to the force, my leg is long and my leg muscles strong his arm was shorter than my leg and he left himself wide open by focusing all his attention towards the puny blade at the end of his arm.

But that is the thing with those that wield weapons, they put all their faith in the psychology of the weapon, but when things do not go according to plan all they have is their weapon, because they forget other parts of their body and what use they can be and so the majority get a kicking in delicate places if they are like me for I always go for maximum offence to discourage.

 

[gerryattrick]

Remind me not to get in an argument with anyone at future Retrobike rides :shock:

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

Punching is questionable at best. It takes skill to deliver effectively and the hand is a delicate structure full of easily damaged bones.

Conversely, the arch of your skull at the forehead is very strong and has around 1/7th of your bodies mass behind it so can deliver a helluva lot of kinetic energy with relatively little chance of serious injury to yourself.

You're right about weapons. In the hands of the unskilled all their focus and attention is on the weapon. Vyou can be pretty sure they ain't gonna hit you with the other hand or try and kick you.

I'd advocate avoidance every time, but I'd you have to fight then deploy the maximum speed, aggression and surprise. Then run like hell.

 

[tintin40]

WoW this thread has gone way off from the first post

 

[Neil]

Punching is questionable at best. It takes skill to deliver effectively and the hand is a delicate structure full of easily damaged bones.

Indeed - those that only have experience of hitting things, when pished-up, don't tend to properly realise how easily the hand is injured, and how hard the head area tends to be.

There's a reason why boxers have (or should) pay a lot of attention to looking after their hands by wrapping, and correct technique. And also a reason why so many boxers get hand injuries.

Conversely, the arch of your skull at the forehead is very strong and has around 1/7th of your bodies mass behind it so can deliver a helluva lot of kinetic energy with relatively little chance of serious injury to yourself.

I realise where you're going, and see some of your point - but all the same, it's not without significant risk, using your head as a physical weapon - any time you choose to strike, suddenly, you incur risk, and your head is a big ticket item. At close quarters, it may be the only reasonable way, but other savagery and getting the hell out of Dodge are probably favourable.

You're right about weapons. In the hands of the unskilled all their focus and attention is on the weapon. Vyou can be pretty sure they ain't gonna hit you with the other hand or try and kick you.

You can tell a fair bit about what they're doing with it, though, in how they're hefting said weapon. As always, getting out of there, first, is always best, rather than internally debating whether they're distracted or overly focused on what they're holding.

I'd advocate avoidance every time, but I'd you have to fight then deploy the maximum speed, aggression and surprise. Then run like hell.

This is really where it's at. Getting away, if you can't get away, inflicting as severe damage as you can, switfly, then getting away. The longer you're in proximity, the more risk you're at, and anything more than the odd little dig or jab tends to head for the floor.

 

[gerryattrick]

When I was in the SAS, no sorry I can't say anymore or I'll have to kill you.

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

You're right Neil, losing positional advantage by indulging in a spot of ground fighting is bad ju ju.


I'm beginning to think you're my long lost brother!

 

[tintin40]

When I was in the SAS, no sorry I can't say anymore or I'll have to kill you.

I work for Mi-5 or is that MFI i can never remember which

 

[velomaniac]

He who runs away lives to run away another day........my mantra thats seen me in good health until present middle age