Best form of defence?

Question

Hello,
This will sound daft but a fella I know around the pubs is always threatening me in a joking way. He has a reputation and is big so I feel he may get physical at some stage. I am not scared by him, but could do with some confidence to deal with it when it happens ( I say when cos I feel it is bound to happen at some stage). I have tried avoiding him, but he searches me out.
Can anyone recommend a method I could learn easily for when the time comes? I don't want to hurt him or anybody, just keep myself safe. Anything you can learn from a video, perhaps?

Sorry - just I should point out to run is not the answer. I will see him over and over.

Answer 1

Yes there are video courses that will claim to teach you self defense, but you're best off without them. The main reason for this is because they're videos--they can't provide feed back if you're doing anything wrong or give you an environment to test these skills safely against a resisting opponent.

And the comment about punching the throat is off. The odds of an untrained fighter accurately striking the throat with great effect is very slim. Even moderate to skill practitioners of martial arts will have a hard time hitting the throat on the first or second shot against an actively resisting opponent. Now if it does hit, yes it could potentially stop the fight. However, that would require an accurate and forceful hit, something that's probably not going to happen in a bar fight between two unskilled fighters short of luck intervining on behalf of one.

Rather, you best bet is since you're already in a pub, buy the guy a few drinks, sit down with him, and talk to him--find out why he's giving you a hard time. Start assessing if you really want to hang out in a place with this guy. If not, then find a new pub and start training self defense under a qualified instructor, not some video.

Answer 2

alert the bouncer.

that way if he starts something, he will get tossed for good and possibly arrested while you won't have legal troubles.

if the bar/club doesnt' have a bouncer, well then alert the bartender or owner. The last thing they want to do is to have the police come down on them for a fight in thier place.

now if he waits to attack you on the street when you come out well thats a different story.

you won't learn anything from a video. the quickest art you could probably learn and become proficient in the shortest amount of time is boxing.

there are only a few types of strikes but your hand skills will increase incredibly.

you just have to realize that taking time to slip and duck punches is not wise if he is going to attack you. Also if he has been making it clear, he is seeing if you are a pansy to attack.

odds are if he is going to attack you at this point, it will be a sucker punch.

be aware of him but don't be intimidated.

Answer 3

Have you tried just telling him that you don't appreciate his threatening jokes? Maybe if you confront him about it before he gets physical he may just stop treating you that way. Odds are, he doesn't even realize he's making you or others uncomfortable.

As far as defending yourself goes, I'd recommend a trainer if even for a month or so. Videos may be able to teach you the ideas of the movements, but you need to actually work it with someone to really get the feel for it and to have your muscles learn so that you can react to defend yourself instead of having to think it all through.

Answer 4

Hi there

There is a very simple solution to this problem.

Don't go to the same places this guys likely to visit. It's a common fact that certain pubs attract certain characters.

Don't have an ego just stay out of them.

In a few weeks time you wont care and neither will he.

Easy.

Best wishes

idai

Answer 5

Sorry
I do not think that there is any martial art that will equip you to beat this guy just by watching a video. My advice is always to wear trainers and be prepared to run!

I accept running is not neccessarily the answer but it is more realistic than thinking that you are going to learn how to take down a much bigger guy, who I assume from your original question (has a reputation) is an experienced fighter, by watching a video.

Answer 6

Okay!!!!

My advice is prevention is better than cure!!!!!!
You have a choice to frequent the same pubs as your aggressor so don't visit them,and avoid him instead investigate a style of martial arts which suit you and work for you,if you wanna be proficient in defending yourself,you'll find most serious martial artists don't go to pubs, and avoid alcohol etc.
Then once you acquire good skills you can visit most places with self confidence in your abilities to avoid or beat the bullies if need be,but for now please use avoidance and stay safe.

Former jiu-jitsu coach....best wishes :)

Answer 7

Since you are technically not fighting and it is friendly like you said in the first sentence, then I suggest wrestling him to the ground. Big guys hit the ground hard and they are slow, its easy to get get around them - I know, I am 200 and had to wrestle guys who weighed 245. Wrestling is simple, almost anyone can learn it in no time at all with little or even no training. As for videos, watch some UFC videos with Matt Huges, Ken Shamrock, or Dan Severn, they were all wrestlers who shot in alot and thats definetally what you would need to watch if you dont already know the basics. Since its friendly you dont need to watch the rest of the match where theyre striking, but it is fun to watch anyway and itll give you an idea of what to do if he gets pissed and decides to take it too far.

Answer 8

First of all DON'T listen to "Ryan"! Trying to wrestle a bigger stronger guy with you having no experience will get you in BIG TROUBLE! He will pound your head in or choke you out! They have weight classes in wrestling for a reason!!!!!!!!!

Krav Maga videos would help because the techniques are simple yet effective, BUT in order to beat this guy you will have to hurt him! Don't be afraid of hurting him especially if he wants to push you around! You have a right to defend yourself! It is better to take actual Krav Maga classes though!

Answer 9

i appreciate the situation and the potential for violence,sounds like a dyed in the wool bully.first suggestion for easy to learn stuff is wing chun,or systema[Russian self defence system] or krav maga.all of these very now and easy to learn. train hard and in a very short period of time,with competent tuition, your confidence will soar and paradoxically the influence of mr bully will shrink to almost nothing.enjoy your training if not move to what suits you.

Answer 10

Bullys get their power trip by getting a reaction from you. If you ignore him, or if you undermine him, then you rob him of his power. Eventually he will get bored and find someone else to bother.

If he jokingly threatens you, jokingly tell him, "Yeah, you could kick my *** from here to next week. I wouldn't want to mess with you." Buy him a drink and then go back to what you were doing.

It sure isn't worth going to jail or getting hurt over.