| Listen up. I know you think you've heard these | | | | stand a chance. |
| before. You've likely had some martial arts training | | | | Number two. Know the feeling of being hit. Most |
| in the past, and I'm sure you already know that | | | | martial artists who have only ever been hit while |
| much of what you learn in a dojo can't be applied | | | | wearing protective gear, can't anticipate the pain |
| in a real fight. | | | | of a direct shot to the face. Instead, friendly |
| It's common knowledge that most street fights | | | | sparring matches are brought to a halt the instant |
| are usually over in 10 seconds or less. They're | | | | someone gets accidentally hurt in a dojo. |
| dirty, there are no rules, and you have to expect | | | | Unfortunately in a street fight, you'd be on the |
| the unexpected. Even if you've never been in a | | | | ground at that point getting kicked in the ribs and |
| real fight before, you probably have a gut feeling | | | | the face. Not that there is any suggestion for you |
| that fancy Jean-Claude Van Damme spin kick | | | | to go out and let someone break your nose so |
| might get you into trouble. You're right. | | | | you can 'know how it feels'. No. Just be very |
| Despite the obvious resolution (of not getting | | | | weary of this principle, as it has surprised even |
| involved in a street fight at all), sometimes you | | | | the most experienced martial artist. |
| don't have that option, and you're forced to fight. | | | | Number three. Your elbows and your knees are |
| These are the often overlooked, yet crucially | | | | the most lethal weapons you possess when |
| important points that may allow you to dodge a | | | | fighting in close quarters. Often times, you're not |
| critical injury, or worse. | | | | given the opportunity to punch, or kick, when |
| Number one. Footwork is key, cover the family | | | | someone grabs you, or you're struggling to get a |
| jewels. Laugh if you will, but a kick to the groin is | | | | weapon out of their hand. The human body is |
| absolutely the fastest, real-life way, to take | | | | engineered is a way that such a significant |
| somebody out. Biological explanations aside, the | | | | amount energy can be transferred with the right |
| human body simply cannot withstand a targeted | | | | technique, that even the smallest individual can |
| blow to that region. Unlike a school fight or a bar | | | | deliver a fatal blow. |
| fight where it wouldn't be 'cool' or acceptable to | | | | There are countless other street fighting tips, |
| kick below the belt, in a street fight, survival is | | | | tricks, and advice out there, but these are by far |
| your first priority. Whether that means facing | | | | the details most martial artists overlook when |
| your attacker to the side, or keeping your guard | | | | they're forced into a street fight. If you |
| low, it's up to you. This isn't an article on fighting | | | | remember these 3 things, you'll have a significant |
| technique. Just protect that region if you want to | | | | advantage over your opponent. |