How to Beat a Bigger Opponent in a Street Fight

Let's face it. When it comes to fighting, size really does matter... But it's not everything. You may not be bigger than your opponent, but you may be faster or smarter. Take advantage of whatever you have. As with most situations in life, brains are much more important than brute strength.

Unlike facing someone who's equal to your size, fighting a bigger guy poses a bit more of a challenge, and certain rules should be followed...

When faced with a larger or stronger opponent who's dead set on kicking your ass, you really only have two options (assuming you've already tried to walk away or talk your way out of it) You either face your adversary and fight... or you run.

Running is not a sign of cowardice but a decision to survive. If you're not confident in your abilities to hurt the other person, then you're far more likely to fight half-heartedly, and throw weak punches, hoping the other guy will show you the same consideration and not hurt you too badly. Don't count on it! It's foolish to fight while lacking confidence.
 

On the other hand, if you're cornered, and the situation leaves you no choice, prepare yourself mentally and physically without being too obvious. Pretend that you're unprepared or a little intimidated... then surprise him by throwing a full force strike to a sensitive target on your aggressors body. (the sucker punch)
If you're unsuccessful in stunning him with your surprise attack, prepare yourself with your fighting stance and follow the rules below...

RULE 1:
Only engage in a fight with a bigger person if you have no options left. Avoiding a confrontation is far more preferable. Because if the other person is a lot bigger than you, you're at a disadvantage right from the start.
 
Always keep in mind that size really does matter. A bigger opponent can inflict a lot of damage because of heavier, stronger blows. But having a strategy and brains is far more important. If he's bigger than you... you must be smarter than him.

Always guard your head with your forearms, a bigger guy could easily land a blow to your head because of his reach advantage. Respect this reach advantage and keep a safe distance. As soon as the opportunity presents itself, move in fast and strike a sensitive (vital) target quickly, then back away before he tries to grab you and throw you to the ground. The last place you ever want to end up, is on the ground wrestling with someone who seriously outweighs you. 

Stick and move, hit and run. "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee". Move forward, move backward, sidestep, move in a circular path. Footwork is an essential factor when it come to fighting. Never be flat-footed or in a stationary fighting stance, a bigger opponent can easily own you if you let him catch you.

RULE 2:
Never fight fair! You're already at a disadvantage because of his size. I'm sure you've heard it before..."In a street fight there are no rules except to survive". If there were any sort of "fair play" rules on the street, someone bigger than you would not be allowed to fight you in the first place. When it come to organize boxing matches or wrestling matches, you'll never see a 240 pound shaved gorilla going up against a 95 pound stick figure. That's because there are rules against such things... In the real world there are no such rules or regulations.

If you have something in your hand (like a pen, a bottle, a stick, or a rock) turn it into a defensive weapon, and use it. Throw a handful of dirt in his eyes or slit his legs with a knife. Poke him in the eye or even bite him to the bone if you have to. Do whatever you can that will temporarily (or permanently) incapacitate your foe and give you a chance to escape. As much as possible, do not engage in a street fight empty handed. Unlike organized combat sports, nothing is fair in a real fight. A weapon is a great equalizer.

But don't ever show a weapon in an attempt to "bluff" your way out of a confrontation. Showing your weapon may cause them to hesitate or flee... but it's just a likely that it will cause them to pull a weapon of thier own. Then you'll be in a real life or death situation. If you pull a weapon in self defense, use it! Before they have a chance to react or counter with a weapon of thier own. You don't need to kill them (unless they mean to kill you) but hurt them first, and hurt them fast.

Play dirty. Kick his groin, finger jab his eyes, throw a chopping blow to his throat, bite his ear. A hair grab is a very effective and practical move. By pulling his hair in a downward direction it will give you the opportunity to throw an uppercut or knee to his face. Also, by grabbing thier hair, you can control the direction of thier head, and whichever way thier head goes, thier body will follow. Pull the head downward to the left, and the body will quickly begin to move downward to the left. Pull the head down to the right, and the body will naturally begin to follow. (Etc. etc.) It's a natural survival instinct, hardwired into us, (it's our way of preventing our head from being too easily seperated from our body.)

Tactics which are considered as foul and "below the belt" in combat sports, are as normal as breathing in a streetfight.

RULE 3:
If the other guy grabs ahold of you.
There are a couple quick ways to break the hold, and escape when being grabbed by a bigger person. But whatever method you use, keep in mind, your main objective is to "hurt them fast" and cause them to stop being the aggressor, and start thinking about defending themselves. (even if it's just for a split second) You need to get them to loosen thier hold on you, enough for you to squirm away and create distance.

1- Deliver a headbutt to the face.
 
2- Bite him (However, be cautious about biting the skin because if you draw blood, it may be infected with HIV or some other contagious diseases) On the other hand, if you're going down anyway, then you gotta do what you gotta do. When you bite someone, two things will almost always happen...First, it will hurt him. And second, the other guy will have the sudden realization that he's up against one crazy son of a bitch.
 

3- If he grabs you, and one or both of your hands are free... poke him in the eye, punch him in the throat, or slap him hard on the ear(s) with an open palm (this not only hurts, but it could easily disrupt his center of balance causing him to loosen his hold on you, or it could even pop an eardrum)

If your hands are down low and your opponent traps them when he grabs you, don't be afraid to grab his nuts and squeeeeeeeeeze hard. This is also a good time to consider going for the headbutt to the face.

If you attacker does manage to throw you to the ground, this is not a good place to be. Finger-breaking, hitting the eyes, and jabbing the throat and groin are some techniques you can use to survive a groundfight. Many stress the use of Jujitsu techniques, and while the use of arm locks and leg techniques are effective (if you know how to do them), don't ever forget that twisting the other guys finger, until it breaks, can put an end to his willingness to continue the fight. Hitting the temple with the knife edge of your hand can daze and distract his coordination. And gouging his eyes may seem a bit savage, but doing nothing while your opponent beats your face to a bloody pulp is just plain stupid.

ON A FINAL NOTE... The smartest thing you can do, is to avoid physical violence in the first place. Try to talk your way out of the conflict. Apologize for whatever they think you may have done to offend them, even if you don't really mean it, try to sound sincere. It may be difficult to apologize to someone who's obviously just a jerk with an attitude, but don't let your ego stop you from being the bigger, more mature person. If they accept your apology, and the situation seems resolved, then that's great, but don't turn your back on them. Back away 2 or 3 steps and then turn. Always be ready for the "sucker punch"

If he continues to threaten, repeat the apology. Look sincere, but not weak! If he continues to threaten and starts to close the distance on you, Put your hands slightly out in front of you and say that you don't want any trouble. Be verbally firm. Use terms like "back off" or "keep away". Get louder as he gets closer.
Never discard escape as one of your best options, especially when you don't have the sufficient knowledge and training to deal with a taller and bigger adversary. If you can't outfight him, at least outrun him.
 

If all else fails, then refer back to the 3 rules above. They're not a complete lesson by any means, but if this is the first time you've heard this advice, then you're already one step closer to suviving an encounter on the street.

 

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