Posted by on November 19, 2018

Many assaults involve punches.  Learning how to defend against such attacks comprises a significant part of our training. Punches pose a serious problem as they can come from various directions, angles, and heights. Here are some basic factors to consider when defending against punches.

  • Direction.  Is the assailant in front of you or do you happen to catch a glimpse of a fist flying from your right side (a sucker punch)?  Direction will influence how you move your body and how you use your hand/arm to re-direct or block the attack. 
  • Circular or Straight.  Punches can be circular(hook punch) or straight(jab, or cross).   
  • Height.  An attacker, for example, can deliver a hook punch to your head or to your ribs.  It is the same punch but you need to recognize the height or he is going to connect.
  • Where are your hands?  Are you waiting for a subway/cab with your hands by your sides or are you texting with hands in front?  Perhaps your hands are in front of you as you try to calm an aggressive person.  Wherever your hands are they need to intercept an incoming punch in the most efficient/direct way possible.  P.S. Your parents were right.  Don’t walk around with your hands in your pocket. 
  • Your natural reaction.  Are you surprised and jerk your head away from the incoming fist?  Maybe you move to the side?   Do your hands try to swat away the incoming strike? Your defense must grow out of this initial response to be effective.  

Students need to see and understand how people punch – in real life situations. When this is initiated then you can begin learning how to defend against them. In future blogs we will go into more details about more specific principles for defending various punches.

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