[AlexBolduin]

Yesterday, I was attacked luckily I gave my attacker a few punches to the face. The attacker was twice my size I realized I had my shinai on me but I was in a very tight spot I havent been doing kendo for long only about 2 weeks or so but having a weapon was better then none. I gave him a lot of good blows to his head, which agitated him then he grabbed me and I couldnt do a thing, I bit down on his shoulder until i tasted blood and thats when he let me go and I ran away. I realized later that so far I couldn't do anything in a closed up space. Is there a style I can learn that helps more in closed spaces cause I'm 100% that I will be attacked again and I know it.
Any tips will help, or should I just dump kendo and start mauy thai?

[Nptxsews]

First: Welcome to our forum.

Second: I'm really sorry to hear this.

Third:Kendo will not help in close combat. Or maybe can?


But seriously,You shouldn't wait to get more beatings,however nor should do something, in lack of better expression, stupid.
I don't know how old U are,or what's the nature of the conflict.
U wrote, you are sure he/they will attack again.

There is lots of way to resolve problems.
Depending on the nature of the problem,perhaps you should turn to proper authorities.

In a tight place muay-thai would be effective, but is it necessary?

Kendo has different nature and approach as martial art.

Anyways,it would be shame to "dump" Kendo.

[elton]

Im 16 and I think i might get attacked again, but I didn't get hurt in anyway just in the beginning he grabbed my fingers and twisted them so 1 finger on my left hand is jammed or something.Well I think ill be prepared next time because this time i was randomly doing things since I was panicing. Next time I will get him good.

[skupaemauto]

According to your other thread you started practice at NYC Kendo which is on the upper east side of manhattan. If you were carrying your shinai it is likely a good bet that you were coming from or going to kendo class. Getting beat up in that neighborhood is something I would not expect, probably one of the safest neighborhoods in the city.

So you punched this guy a couple of times with the same hand which went unanswered. Then hit him several times on the head with your shinai. Finally he grabbed you and you bit him on the shoulder.

More details please.

[Leaters]

Long range hand weapons like we use - shinai, bokken, iaito, jo staff, etc are all pretty useless in close in fighting. My sempai always told me if someone's inside your issoku itto no miai, then run.

Ignatz, when did you become a shining beacon of light? (hands the man a congratulatory beer)

[osteoftex]

Well I live in brooklyn I get home close to 10 and this person attacked by punching me in the face really didnt hurt but I picked my fists up and started punching back. I gave him a few kicks. He kept trying to grapple me or something I have no idea what he was doing. He did punch me in the mouth to but didnt hurt at all. He then grabbed my fingers and twisted them like in that game mercy but this dude was twice my size. Then I grabbed it gave him a few hits to the head he was still holding my other hand so i was doing this with 1 hand. After he got me into some kind of hold where my face was by his shoulder all I could think of doing to get out was biting him since after that he got my other hand to but after I bit him he let go and I ran. Im planning on going to Kendo for years to come but I probly wont be moving for the next 2-3 years so I have a feeling I might be attacked again. He really didnt take anything of mine or hurt me. Just my finger hurts like hell and I cant move it much.

[AnriXuinriZ]

1. It's the newbie rule, don't want the spaminator coming after me.
2. Kid says he just started at my friend/sensei's dojo, don't want to run him off.
3. I've always been a shining beacon.


Where in brooklyn?
Guy just came up and started wailing for no reason?

[nTDsD0aU]

no, no, i meant if you're in a position where you're armed but can't defend yourself then run like the clappers. I've heard of people using their kendo skills to defend themselves in the past but as a general rule I thought our arts were stylised beyond reasonable practicality, etc. Just don't want someone getting hurt. Sounds like you can hold you're own, though! Please try to be careful!

[angeldimmon]

If you're interested in self-defense, kendo isn't the martial art for you.

Regarding self-defense, martial arts aren't much of a shortcut. There aren't any supersecret moves you can learn in a day. You're just gradually going to learn how to fight better. Having said that, judo worked for me as a kid.

Anyways, if the guy's twice your size, you're probably screwed. Best defense is to avoid the situation.

[Indidockobeni]

How could you have gotten off a few punches to the face and not stunned the guy long enough to run?

Anyways, next time aim for the bridge of the nose. A good punch there will make him cry his eyes out. That, or try to jab him in the ribcage with the handle of your shinai/bokken.

[amusaasyday]

it happend in the hallway of my friends building was going to his house after kendo to probly go play handball after, this guy said shit to me I sorta eggd the fight on, im a person who backs down easy. But still i know where to punch its just when ur nervous u dont know what to do. Well I dont, ima try not going to my friends that late at night. Would be interesting though if i could defend myself through the use of kendo but I dont really like using a weapon in a fight. will just use my fists next time but still the sparing in kendo looks cool. I watched a practice tournament at the kendo club i go to just looked really awesome.

[IteseFrusty]

Also i forgot to add i think the guy was stoned cause it smelled like weed.

[lakraboob]

it happend in the hallway of my friends building was going to his house after kendo to probly go play handball after, this guy said shit to me I sorta eggd the fight on, im a person who backs down easy. But still i know where to punch its just when ur nervous u dont know what to do. Well I dont, ima try not going to my friends that late at night. Would be interesting though if i could defend myself through the use of kendo but I dont really like using a weapon in a fight. will just use my fists next time but still the sparing in kendo looks cool. I watched a practice tournament at the kendo club i go to just looked really awesome.

Hi!

Welcome to the forum!

I've read all your posts on this now. Well, if I was you, I'd have not said anything back and booked like heck out of there. NEVER egg on a fight. That makes you part of the problem. ALWAYS avoid idiots that shoot off their mouths. If you get into a fight, that's very bad. What if the police get involved ever? You them may get a rap sheet going thanks to an assault charge. ALWAYS avoid throwing a punch at a person if you can help it. That will make you look like the good guy if you don't fight and the attacker then can't complain about you. Besides, you don't want to end up very dead...

Anyway, yes, it's an excellent idea to avoid going to your friend's house that late at night. I used to live in Baltimore when I was going to University, and we were told never to travel alone at night in the city. People do jump others. You would do well to remember that, too. Also, we were told never to get into confrontations with strangers hanging around on the streets and to always avoid them. Excellent advice, that I hope you'll consider. I don't know what Brooklyn is like, but I know we had all sorts wandering the streets even in the safe parts of Baltimore. Of course, I was right in the middle of it... Not sure what your area is like. It still pays to be careful and ignore and avoid anyone you do not know. Especially, if you are alone.

You say next time you'll use your fists. Well, you shouldn't do that at all. Just leave if you see them. Best to be the good guy. Nobody likes to be near a person who looks for fights. Safety should come first!

Kendo isn't really meant for self defense. Kendo is mainly for helping to develop one's character since today, we can't carry swords for protection. Too dangerous anyhow. Yes, the sparring does look cool. Work hard and you'll eventually be able to do that. In the dojo only, I might add... Your sensei won't like to hear about you using it on the streets to defend yourself.

Also i forgot to add i think the guy was stoned cause it smelled like weed.

That's an even better reason to stay away from him and others like him and NOT fight. What if this druggie brings his druggie buddies along next time and jumps you for hitting him? People high on drugs often can't control themselves. They think they can, but often they really can't. Obviously, his judgement was seriously impaired thanks to being high. So, just stay away from people like that. Don't even talk to them.

Can you get a parent to drive you to your friends house and then pick you up if you want to go? That might make it safer to visit him. I know my parents would have had six cows if my brothers ever did what you did when they were 16. They'd have been really worried on top of that. So, you might consider how your parents would feel about fighting a complete stranger.

And, now that I think about it, maybe you should tell them what happened and be honest and tell them everything and then ask for help about what to do about it. Could you do that? Would that be helpful to you?

Anyway, it's late and I need to go to bed soon. I hope this helps you. Good luck with this, and I hope you stay safe. And I also hope you continue to enjoy kendo!

Kaoru

[Nopayof]

Kaoru, I thought you said you read all the posts in this.

This young chap said he was in a very tight spot and was attacked. Not throwing punches was not an option. If he had done what you suggest he could well have been badly hurt. Turning the other cheek might have been fine for Jesus but I am not sure it is good advice here. (Note that Muhammed gave more practical advice on this point). He should not have 'egged' the other guy on but I am not sure what this means. Sometimes when people say stuff to you and you say nothing back they are likely to attack because they think you are scared and therefore see you as an easy target. Sometimes a response is deemed provocation and so they attack because of this. You just have to judge as best you can and hope for the best - but this is likely to happen so fast. And hindsight is nearly always 20/20 vision.

Everyone has the right to be safe, this chap 'Attacked' him - he had no right to do this whether he was on weed or not but he chose to do so. This gave Leinheat a choice which needed to be made instantly, fight back or take it. From what he wrote flight did not seem like an option. If it was, I agree he should have taken this path.

It is no good taking any moral high ground if all your teeth have been kicked out or worse you are laid on slab with a tag on your big toe.

trust me on this - I work with several hundred people every day who may attack me at any time for any reason they deem fit.

[Hbkj89D2]

There aren't any supersecret moves you can learn in a day.

Yes there is *makes sure shes in the lounge*

The Touch of Death!
http://www.duffzone.org/framegrabs/7...2002190921.jpg
http://www.duffzone.org/framegrabs/7...2002191018.jpg

Bart learnt that in less than a day....

[RarensussyRen]

Leinheart...

Don't let them get close to you.

Move with intent, don't slow down, don't address them.

If they invade your space, shout at them, with real conviction like they have been naughty boys.

USE BRAIN.

plenty of moves you can actually do as well, should the situation call for it.

If the guy was stoned he probably just smelled snacks on you. So don't walk around Brooklyn late at night with snacks upon your person.

Sorry this happened to you.

[MinisuipGaicai]

Leinheart...



USE BRAIN.



If the guy was stoned he probably just smelled snacks on you. So don't walk around Brooklyn late at night with snacks upon your person.

Sorry this happened to you.

Hahaha, deserves + rep.

[detskpit]

Hi Leinhart,

Getting your ass kicked and the feeling that this is probably is going to happen again is not a good position to be in. If you really feel the need to learn to defend yourself, do so. If you are attacked run like you life depends on it (it might well be the case) and if that's not possible: fight back! Turning your cheek the other way is the most dangerous thing you can do in a the situation you described. First of all, if you do so, you show that you submit and the beating will probably get worse (it doesn't sound as if this guy was after you money). Second, if you take the turning you cheek literal, turning away from you opponent is very, very dangerous (same as with kendo), if you can't see the attack you cannot defend yourself against them. I prefer to get a few hits to the face and defend against most of the attacks, rather than not seeing any of the attacks at all (and thus not being able to defend myself against them).

Punching up close isn't easy, MT has knees and elbows (it hurts like hell). However, grappling might also be of some serious use in situations you described (ground and pound as they told me). So, if you really want to fight back go for wresling, judo, sambo, BJJ, MT, Kyokushinkan karate, mma, etc. Forget TKW, Tang So Do, semi contact karate (and other semi contact), self defence courses, aikido, ninjitsu, etc. If you want to learn how to fight, go for full contact and with loads of sparring.

Even if this means giving up kendo, feeling save is way more important. It would be a shame to give up kendo, but safety (and feeling save) comes first.

[Voitramma]

you didn't do too bad. martial art won't help much in tight space. but it might help you with reaction time. you just need to fight dirty, and fight fast and walk away..

use your head.. i mean, use your head. in tight space, best bet is to ram your rock hard skull against your attackers nose area. good amount of blood flowing out of his nose will freak'em enough to stop them in most situation or give enough time to do more damage to the attacker. other good option is your elbow. elbow to the face is much better than the fist to the face. also your knee. knee to the balls, or rib cage does good amount of damage. biting works very well. also ear. ear is rather weak point. you can rip it off easy and that really freaks most people out. also don't forget that attaker's knee can be kicked in rather easy. it can with stand only about 30 lbs of force or so.

fight dirty, fight fast, and fight mean as possible. crazier you look, better it will be for you. you need to do things that will freak them out and will stop them from coming after you. of cource, all bet's off if they have a gun.

don't forget kiai.. yell, and yell loud.. keep yelling through out the whole thing.. really makes you look nutty.

pete

[Kotyara]

Actually, the best place to attack is the eyes.

if you get them, your assailant cannot see and will have to stop their attack - if You don't get them, you will still cause a reaction as your assailant will move their head to evade the strike which is very likely to be backwards. this will give you time to hit somewhere else to cause pain.

kicks to the knees especially from the side do great damage, scrapes down the shins are excruciating, hits to the throat are nasty, and a well placed hard kick to the thigh, if done hard enough, can cause the opponent to actually stop dead in their tracks. If they are wearing a tie (unlikely in this case) but that is a great 'weapon' to use against them - simply grab and pull them all over the place.

And noise, lots and lots of noise. It attracts attention and can disorientate your attacker.

And Tijs is right about facing your opponent; if you turn away you cannot see where he is going to hit so you cannot react or counter - they will see this and the beating will be hellishly worse. Stay on your feet and go for it - broken noses mend. other thing is that he may have a weapon - if they have you do not wish to turn and give him a nice back to stab. You don't want to be stabbed in the front either but at least you have some chance of fending off blows. Although if he has a weapon you really need the cavalry to turn up in the shape of Police or somebody who is prepared to help.

Still the best thing mind, is to avoid such situations in the first place - if you can.

Lee