What's the most important thing a person needs in a fight they can't run/escape from?

Question

maybe a powerful right cross or a super fast kick?

maybe quick deceptive movement?

or maybe bravery or willpower?

what do you think a person needs first and foremost?

"all of them" gets you a nice downward facing thumb. don't be dumb.

pick one or suggest your own.

i like where most people's heads are at with this. alot of you give me "the mind" as an answer. before a certain technique or weapon, the weilder of that technique or weapon has to have their head in the right place.

let's be more specific...edit your answers if you need to; what mental ingredient should we have first in a fight? intelligence, serenity, open to adaptation, common sense, courage, acceptance of the circumstances are some i've read. what do you think?

Answer 1

clear thinking and courage. a certain serenity

Answer 2

As many said, any fighter's best weapon is his mind. However, the reason that one needs his mind is not to calm, cool and collected or to have inner peace while fighting.

It's about initiative.

The one who strikes first might have made the first move, but he might not have the initiative for he might have been allowed to hit first. Initiative is not about speed, it's about adaptability, improvisation and observation. It is about being on the offensive even while being on the defensive. All strings of attacks will exhaust themselves at some point, either by themselves or by someone reversing the momentum of the fight by stepping "in between the times" of his opponent's attacks.

And once one has claimed initiative, one must end it quickly, effectively and brutally, for the longest a fight goes on for, the slimmer the odds of winning get.

Answer 3

the most important thing a person needs in a fight or should we say attack that they can't escape from:

control..

when you're attacked or in a fight your adrenaline is pumping, your heart is pounding and your mind feels like it's swimming in thick clear slug.. (it's the same feeling you get when you just almost get into a wreck..) this is the moment of truth..

adrenaline dump is deadlier than the attack itself, because it can cause you to freeze up and not fight back.. learning to work thru this part of an attack is the key to survival.

women are told not to fight back. this teaching is misguided and plain wrong.. would you fight back if someone was attacking your child? well, you need to put that same value on your life, your personal space as you would on your child's.

you must look at any attack as if they're going to try and take your life, i know it is aweful to think about but it's the truth, although an attacker says i'm not going to hurt you.. there is no guarantee to his words, he's a criminal, you can't trust a word! you must dig deep down and revert to your animalistic instincts, it's either you or him...

striking will not matter if you cannot coherantly execute the strike. they say to learn strikes that will still be there when your mind is gone... in a fight/attack you can't think, so you need easy reactive movements that you can execute without much though or preperation.

and don't stand toe to toe with an attacker, strike, daze and run!!!

you may be bruised and battered, but you are alive!!!

~*winkz*~

Answer 4

A cool head and a relaxed body - which means, stay calm - no easy task when adrenaline starts to pump, turn your thinking brain off, stop planning and deal with what IS happening rather than what you want or think is going to happen.

If you can't maintain those things, a fast kick won't get delivered, the deceptive movement will be too late or telegraphed, etc.,... or worse yet, you will already be knocked out.

Answer 5

Awareness.

Be aware of your surroundings. Unless you are in a box, there is a way out. If your opponent is between you and the exit, find a way to get around him. Are there weapons that you can get to like pool cues or sticks?

Be aware of your opponent. Does he have a weapon? If he has a gun, you lose. Does he have any sort of obvious weakness that you can exploit such as an earing? Guys with piercings are pretty easy to deal with because ripping out an earing or nipple ring will cause quite a bit of pain.

Be aware of the consequences of your actions. If you feel that you are in danger and use techniques that injure your opponent (even if he attacks you first), you risk the possibility of criminal and civil prosecution. It may sound stupid, but people have been sued for using martial arts techniques on muggers, and thieves who broke into their homes.

If you maintain your awareness, you aren't likely to get into a situation that you can't get out of.

Answer 6

The willingness to adapt to any given situation is very important (i.e. not trying to ground fight someone when you're being attacked by more than one person so you don't leave yourself open to attack, or being able to ground fight when the situation calls for it). Courage to stand your ground is another; you should try to circle your opponent rather than back away and give them ground, potentially putting your back to a place where you don't want it.

The wisdom to know when to quit is vital. Once someone is down, you don't want to beat them to paralyzation or death.

Answer 7

A lot of people have said it, so I will just repeat it in my own words.

The ability to remain clear headed and calm under adrenaline.
Call it focus, call it bravery or will power, or hell controlling your Chi or what have you.

The ability to keep calm and aware is what you truly need, to think quick and not let anger/fear/emotions blind you and cause you to react stupidly.

Answer 8

Awareness of your surroundings, and exceptance of the fact that your going to probably get hurt .

If you know where you are, and make pain your friend , you have a better chance of surviving .

Answer 9

The ability to take a punch and return one. A person who realizes that they cannot get out of a fight unscathed, and is willing to take a little damage to inflict a larger amount of damage will be ok in any fight.

Answer 10

Move in a pattern that allows you to make an escape.
never be in the same place twice.
and a moving target is harder to hit.
hitting hard never counts as much as hitting first.
dont be superman, its okay to be afraid at times, it heightens your senses, and your reflexes.