3 Signs YOU Should PUNCH First in Street Fights 

I have a rule about this. If a dude is willing to get in your face like that, then he’s already made the choice to fight. It’s just a matter of who’s going to throw that first punch. & usually it’s not the one standing in front of you that throws that first punch. one of their buddies always sneaks you from the side while you over here arguing with dude.

Also another tip. Don't Just strike once and assume it's over. Follow up with many more strikes until the guy is done

Back in the day I got suckerpunched at least 4 times, the last time my nose was broke and I had a pretty good concussion. After that, I always go first. If they get within arms length after I've warned them, I will swing first, each and every time. Has worked like a charm so far

In my 42 years of life I’ve always hit first if a man walks up in an aggressive manner. It’s never failed me. I’m nobody’s victim and you shouldn’t be either. If it’s more than just fisticuffs, stay strapped and always be aware of your surroundings.

Avoid confrontations as much as possible. The puzzling thing about street fights is that every time they breech your space and you push them away, they question why you push them??? or don't touch me??? It's a no win situation

My old man used to box and when I was a kid in the 70s (going back a bit😊) he showed me how to throw a punch and said “always be first”!!! He said straight punch straight in the nose!!🤣 I said what if it don’t work ? What’s next? He said you’ll figure it out son🤣🤣🤣

I've tried that "be the bigger man" bs and it never works out. I've been jumped and sucker punched and I was always a target because I was a small guy. I hit first and I do it fairly early. Fair warning though, them bigger bully types play victim better than anyone. So either have a witness or disappear asap.

Step to the side and away, usually step to your right as most people will swing with their right and not punch straight. Try not to back up because that will encourage aggression. If they continue to press it’s on. Strike hard and fast, follow through with your attack until your opponent is incapacitated. Don’t worry about hurting them because they made their choice by not giving you an out.

First rule in an altercation is keep your distance at least 2 meters away, this is a first demoralizer for any attacker. Second blind him, put your hand forward streched out and make a palm before his eyes, that way also you can beter anticipate any sudden movement. Third position your feets in a way that your balance is solid, that way you can put your attacker on the ground by using his swing against him as he loses balance when striking. Fourth target the nose, eyes, ears, stomach, plexus and knies. This way you can neutralize the target immediately. Fifth and most important rule hit so hard that you might break your arm or foot. Do not hesitate to hit so hard that it becomes deadly. You hesitate you fall or even worst die!

This is military but in the Marines we are taught the most basic of ideas. Whoever starts the fight, will usually win. This is the cornerstone of the heavy aggressiveness. This applies to both gunfights and hand to hand. And in my experience this has been right 99% of the time.

If anyone ever gets in your face, attempt to create and keep distance. Put your hands up palms out in a non-defensive way while stepping backwards. When you step back, always keep one foot back farther. You’re also now ready for a block in any direction & only a half a step away from a traditional fighting stance. Hands up ready palms out, quickly becomes forearm blocks, fists and elbows.

I've never lost a fight...when I found a way to walk away from the situation. That being said, I'm a very non-confrontational person so I assume anyone trying to square off with me or get in my face is serious about it. If there's no way out, I might as well strike first and assume the advantage if I can. That being said, it's been over 10 years since I've been in a true street fight.

Having spent a fair amount of time in county jail and the state penitentiary, as well as being in a number of 'street' fights throughout my life, it's been ingrained into me at this point to not hesitate when I know the situation has escalated to the point of physicality. Strike first and look to cause the most devastating damage immediately. You obviously want to mitigate any chance of getting knocked out yourself, which is often easier than you'd think when you get hit right on the button (i.e. the chin), so there's really no point in attempting to trade legit blows with anyone. If it's possible, it's always best to finish a fight ASAP -- whether that involves striking or choking someone out.

They can swear and scream all they want, you step in striking range, you're going down

I've had few situations in my life of being attacked, fortunately, but the times I have has taught me a valuable lesson - hit first and to the most vulnerable target once the guy has started being aggressive. I didn't start the confrontation, he did, so he has made the choice to be put down first.

. The mindset is more important than the technique. If you recognize the threat and pre-empt. It could be a kick, punch, knee or elbow. Done with intent and follow up, it doesn't really matter. Just keep hitting till he drops.That is what you won't be taught in most Dojos

What were the 3 attack indicators? 1. shuffling around / erratic movement 2. emptying hands / putting things away 3. angling shoulders Is that right?

I have seen and been in many fights in my life. Yet there is one I will always remember , it was 20 years ago, near a bus station...It was a strong short guy about 1.70 meters against a giant of 1.90 meters. The big guy tried to hit first but the short guy put him down by hiting his leg like a flash. The short guy waited doing nothing, till the big guy rose up again. yet when up, that big guy, tried to hit him again. The big guy went Down on the ground again ! The same scenario happened 2 more times... Each.time the short guy let the big guy rose up again... That short guy was unbelievable he would lift one leg but at the last moment would strike with the other one.. He would Lift the right hand and strike with the left...And the big guy who was not a beginner in street fight.(you could clearly see it) yet was taken by surprised everytime and so was I, while watching it... After the fourth time the short guy exploded and shouted , I go now because if I stay I ll kill you ! I kill the people if I truly fight with them. He went off and the big guy did not follow. In all my life I have never seen again someone fighting like that, he was really a magician.

My Ol' Man always said: Hit first and hit HARD.

I agree 100%. If someone gets in your face, you have to assume they are going to attack you, and even if they had not intended to do so, by getting in your face they forfeit the right not to expect you to act as though they would. Know your safe distance and protect it, whenever someone enters that space in a hostile situation, you cannot afford to hesitate. If you want to run, that’s the moment to do so. If you don’t, you need to make the first move. You cannot afford to just stand there and risk getting punched or head butted. Just know in advance what you’re going to do, and just do it.

I found that if you're focused and ready, your response comes instantly when required.

Omg....someone said it!! Out loud!! Yes!!! I'm a girl and I know for a fact there are times you have to hit first!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗

I pride myself at 48 at having not gotten into fights but that doesn’t mean it’s because no one wanted to fight me, more because I can talk people down. Now with that said, I have had a habit to go over situations in my mind and the point where I’m hitting first is if they are in my face. The second you are aggresive and close enough that I feel threatened I’m unleashing on the person. I don’t take fighting lightly as you can die from a blow so in my mind I’d rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6. Love these videos too btw

The key is never to do that "face to face" chest pounding BS that people do. Here's how it goes down in an instant and how you put yourself in a bad situation: something happens, and an aggressive person immediately closes the distance. And now you're face to face. And now you have to decide what to do while your adrenaline is coursing: but not he's in your face and not striking first could mean serious harm and almost certainly losing the fight. Don't put yourself in that situation. A) just don't talk to them and get out of there, don't stand around giving them the option to close the distance B) Back up and put your hands up and say "I don't want any trouble." Walk away quickly. What you have to understand is that the law is not going to care about any nuance that was going through your head. If you're in a court room and the defense says the guy was walking over to you, and you just slugged him, they can make ALL SORTS of valid defenses about how hitting you was never the intent. But you DID objectively attack them first. That part is NOT up for debate. Translation: 9 times out of 10 you're getting convicted. Seriously, RUN away from a fight if you have to. Getting into a fight is literally one of the worst and dumbest things you can do.

Again, thank you for this valuable information. I never once thought about the disadvantage of hitting someone’s head and hobbling myself unnecessarily. Thank you. Broken into digestible bits, fights go VERY different than “movie fights.”

Sometimes, it's best to strike preemptively most especially in situations where there's pretty much no turning back towards de-escalation

I've trained in martial arts for many years. I never allow anyone to get within an arms length of me. I tell them that they can say what they need to right there, and if they come any closer I will consider that an attack and will strike. Between that, and posturing myself and hands in a certain way, it alerts them that I may know something. I've ended things with that alone. Sure, they mouth off and threaten me but they never attacked. I've also been in a situaiton where I told the person I didn't want to fight while backing up and then skipping for a few seconds where it was clear that this person wasn't interested in backing down. So I shortly thereafter dropped him with a spinning backfist.

Once a person is in your space it's game on. Eyes, ears, and neck .

If you do have to hit first, ask them a question before, then hit as their working the answer out. Works a treat!

Hit first hit friggin’ hard is the best advice I’ve heard in a street fight.

I really appreciate the articulate analysis and high quality video.

Scary thing here is you never know what people will do, but this video is well put together along with very informative ways to possibly deal with a physical confrontation.

I use to hang out at some pretty rowdy bars when I was younger and so I got to watch a lot of real fights happen. From what I could see, the winner of the fight in almost every case was the guy who threw the first punch and had the aggression to keep on throwing punches until his opponent either fell down or ran away. .

What has worked,for me most of the time.Has been to manage the distance. Being out of punching range.While arguing.When ever the argument gets heated,They will come forward now their in striking range.So I will first use my hand as a antenna.By pushing them to start a fight or flight response,and tell them not to get any closer.If they continue forward.I have followed up with a Palm Hill strike to the chin , ear and Temple.bas rutten style or the Daiz slap.It.has served me well.

"Hit quickly, hit hard and keep right on hitting. Give the enemy no rest, no opportunity to consolidate its forces and hit back at you." - U.S. Marine Gen. H.M. "Howlin' Mad" Smith | 1949

Haven't been seriously hurt in all the fights ive been to soo far, but my rule of thumb is, if you make me feel unsafe, I will attack first to disable only. In a couple instances where I've knocked the other person out, I've stopped immediately. If it's in a club or social outing always look up and keep your head on a swivel. Never assume the person is alone, assume everyone is a potential enemy and get safe distance until you know you can't be jumped.

If you are untrained but can throw a punch, I recommend throwing each punch at the throat. The neck does not move like the head. It is like firing at center mass. Hitting your target is the moat important thing when defending yourself when forced to engage. Learn to fight, but know that learning to fight and learning to be violent are two separate things. Never be afraid to run away.

once my space is invaded and that line has been crossed, I will always punch first. Most people can't take a solid punch so it's usually one and done.

My Grandfather was ex-military - Royal Navy during WWI and Royal Canadian Army (Camerons) during WWII. He taught me a lot, most of it about attitude and what everyone today calls situational awareness. He was a strong advocate of "hitting 'em back first".

Some good advice here. If you are afraid of the legal consequences of being the first to strike another option is to maintain enough distance that would allow you to react to a first strike from the aggressor with a defense or an offense. If they strike and are unable to hit you then let loose and tell the cops that you were acting in self defense.

The best way to win a fight is to avoid one like most say by using words to defuse tension before any fight and playing the kinder/calmer/fool/'beta'/weaker/smaller man to avoid the fight in the first place. Talk loud to get other ppl's attention so they know you're the victim. BUT if you cant, keep your distance and if they keep approaching say "I fear for my life, please don't come any closer or i'll have to defend myself" to minimize legal repercussions (ask someone to record) > Then pull your firearm out or strike the throat first or fake a haymaker with the right then duck, shift left and hit their liver/throat. When 1st attacker goes down the rest usually dont persist. If they do, use distance/angle control and keep them in a line or funnel and take them on 1 by 1-2. Use kicks/teeps to their knees, illegal in mma but cripples them in street fights. Check your back and see if there's threats behind you. Run if they have weapons but dont turn your back on them if they weapons(back up facing them w arms up till you get a wall or barrier between you and attacker > then run). But if you can, let shit loose in areas w/o cameras :)

All your videos have most valuable points explained.

I'm not a fighter or at least I cant fight, so as that type of person I feel fear. Videos like yours release that fear a little. I'm aiming at not needing these videos to feel safe but in the mean time, thank you 🙏

In my state you literally have to let the person hit you at least once before you can “defend yourself” I’ve had to tell a judge. “This guy has 60lbs on me, no way was I gonna let him hit me first!” Some Laws are better off broken.

This guy is giving the exact advice I give. I’ve been in over 100 street fights from being a bouncer and mma fighter. You want to throw elbows as often as you can land. Your knuckles get damaged easy in a street fight. It’s chaotic and hard to land flush every time. If you don’t have padding. You break knuckles or damage your cartilage. Especially if you hit hard. The harder you can punch the more chance you break knuckles from force if hit someone’s head. Hopefully you land on the jaw or nose. Even side of the neck you can Ko someone. I use kicks a lot in street fights. They work great with Shoes. Having good footwork really helps. Don’t get caught in one area. Always be able to pivot and escape. You don’t know who’s around that a friend of theirs. I rarely take it to the ground. If I do it’s full mount. Then look around make sure there’s not another threat around. Land a few elbows. Posture back up look around again. Then give the guy an opportunity to give up. Street fighting is not the same as any other fighting. No rules. So you have to be ready to die. As far as hitting first. If a man is approaching me I warn them if you get with in striking distance of me. I will knock you out. I always give fair warning. I don’t care if they come to give me a hug. They will be hugging concrete. I’m a street fight there are no rules. It’s you or them. I’ve seen it all. You can’t trust anyone in a street fight. I know ppl say it’s dirty but kicking someone in the nuts is a great way to drop someone. I have no shame in a street fight. Kill or be killed. You don’t know what someone will do to you if they knock you out. The could soccer kick your head a bunch of times. I’ve seen it so many times. So I don’t ever give anyone the chance to do it to me. You must protect yourselves. But don’t go starting fights either. Just protect yourself when you feel a real threat. Don’t wait for the first punch. But this guy has experience as I do. Most men don’t. It’s a tough lesson to learn. That’s why men should all take some sort of martial art training.

Good analysis. Thumps up!💪🏼

Thank you brother I really appreciate that input.

Someone who walks up and yells then puts his hand to his sides, is getting hit 100% of the time. I'm the most scared at that time and also the sharpest. Dont take chances, attack and get away.

Nice advice thanks

Thank you for the soft spot advice, I'll remember

Another excellent 'Fight Science' analysis.

If someone comes at me aggressively "chin first" as most idiots do, even in the examples in this video, it always makes me smile because I know I'll be fine. It depends on many factors in the situation if I decide to strike first and drop them or not. These days 99% of the time I'd just put out my arm to keep them at arm's length, let them shout around to get whatever it is out their system and let them walk away and that's usually all that happens.

I remember once a long time ago, I turned on my foot as I saw his shoulder move. Out of pure impulse, i stuck my tongue out which licked him forearm. That distracted him from fighting. All he did was complain about me licking his arm. 😂

Go first whenever it's out of control. Amen👏

I love the psychology approach to fights. Great videos

Sensai Kreese taught me to strike first, strike hard, and show no mercy!

I want to thank you for all the videos you have been making through many years, Thanks a bunch and much appreciated!! By the way I wanna ask you a question👍 Is it possible to intercept, block, deflect, shell guard, shield guard and parry wild rhythmic punches and strike back after defending in a street fight from a close distance and reducing/minimizing the chances of getting hit?

I notice in videos and in real life people usually look away right before they throw a punch.. it can be subtle , but it's like the final bit of confidence there're working up before they throw ..

WHAT!! Bro 3 blinks and I’m swinging. FACTS!

I am Ginger with a lazy eye and I have had so many fights it's not believable. Everyone says being ginger means I have a short fuse... Here's how it went down most of the time. Imagine you're me. STAGE 1: Some guy see's you and thinks it's a great opportunity to be witty. They see an obvious flaw and mock you for it. You ignore it or laugh along. STAGE 2: After a few weeks they usually have a few friends in on it. They get louder and more confident as they make up jokes together. Frustratingly their jokes may actually become funny or witty at this point and others will laugh along, even if they don't agree with what they are doing to you. STAGE 3: Now they have people laughing along with them, they start getting physical and pushing the boundaries. Things like jabbing you with a protractor needle, tripping you in a hallway. Putting gum in your hair. While still making fun and teasing you as much as before. STAGE 4: Now you fight. Either because you lost it finally, or they just full on hit you expecting you to take it. You can skip to stage 4 at any time. How late you leave it is up to you. After going through stages 1 to 4 repeatedly multiple times. (Going from primary to high school, hoping for a new start) Not only do you figure out skipping to stage 4 right away saves you a lot of pain. It often results in having a lot less people to deal with. Oh yeah my second day of high school, someone 2 years older than me spat in my dinner. This was the first person who I really beat up properly. This was my breaking point. After that I never took any shit off of anyone. Yeah I got into a lot of fights. Yeah people thought I was crazy or a lunatic. Lots of people disliked me just because of what they heard. But at least they left me alone.

With years running the door and security teams for a couple very busy big nightclubs, I’ve seen and been involved in countless scuffles. I’ve single handedly thrown over 1000 people out of clubs, and never punched a person in the face doing so. 👌🏼 In fact I can count on one hand the times I’ve thrown a punch and all of them were center mass and knocked the wind out of the person. (Dropping them flat & gasping to breath). Each punch thrown after ducking telegraphed big swings. NEVER let yourself get close enough to a person face to face to not see it coming. For one thing I NEVER let anyone get close to me bouncing because that’s a ticket to the ground. In real life (not BJJ) you NEVER want to end up on the ground. That’s how you get stomped. That said, I’ve chocked 100’s of men on their feet, and used basic judo take downs with ease in a packed bar. The best move when striking first is to always distract!! Kempo 101. Look hard to the right start to point out something, THEN leg sweep, choke etc. Standing face-to-face with your hands at your side in a stare down is a quick way to get messed up.

Brilliant. Thank you, Fight SCIENCE team. When's part 2?

Whenever I strike an opponent invading my personal space, I make them think that I'm about to walk away or about to look away,

I think that if they try to get close and seem really angry you should either push them away and be prepared to strike next or just straight away hit them. Letting someone, who you don't know what kind of weapon he might carry, close to you is a big mistake.

"Do unto others before they do unto you."

Good direct and simple video

Yeah.. preemptively strike someone on the throat... see where that leads you. Great advice man.

You cheeky boy. You know as well as I do if they get the first striking. It could be game over. I would definitely strike first😉

Just recently had a Bandido try to fight me at a bar unprovoked. He was real quick to get in my face, because he had a gun in his girlfriend's purse, and a baton in his hand. That's the only reason he had little man syndrome, because he was armed. I was able to talk him down, and even apologized for offending him, which I didn't. He was just a weak pos tryin to look hard, because he was armed. Took a lot of humility not to knock his teeth out......

Good informative video as usual 👍

I’ve looked for local centres to learn these type of skills but have so far been unsuccessful. These videos are great way to learn.

The moment a hostile person gets into your personal space. Start swinging. Worry about the legal issues later. That's what my martial arts instructor (who's had about a hundred knock down drag 'em out street fights as a night club bouncer) taught us.

In the state of Missouri we have a law of dont back down and stand your ground.

Greatest tutorial indeed.

Good advice. Hit first Hit fast Hit hard Keep hitting.

What is your recommendation for first start self defense classes something simple to the point

At 16 a coach and a teacher encouraged me to get trained in some kind of martial arts because they had broken up a couple of scrapes I was in. My father refused to allow it even though.y 5 years younger brother was already taking defense classes. He was worried I would be aggressive with him responsible for dental bills. I had knocked teeth out of a large guy attacking my sister.! What was I supposed to do? Let him brutalize a girl. I asked name one person that didn't have it coming. I then said I wouldn't have to seriously hurt someone if I was trained better. It didn't help .

Honor and Respect 🪶 Greetings from Saint Augustine Florida

I always attack first, my fighting instinct kicks in immediately. I know instantly when someone is about to throw hands. I dont concentrate on the finger, I got eyes on everything before it manifests. Dont take your eyes ever off your opponent as Bruce said....V

A response to bullies caused me so many problems four years afterwards I would say swallow your pride and walk away if it is at possible in any confrontation unless it's a fight for your life

Never strike Unless you're in the military! No violence should be our goal

Dont punch heads..quickest way to collapse a knuckle... i learnt the hard way,i got 2 collapsed knuckles ,same one on each hand

Sound advice. I was walking down the sidewalk one night, passing a bar with a drunk dude standing outside. We made eye contact and I instantly knew he was bad news. He said something to me and approached me. I attempted to avoid him, but it was too late. He did precisely what inexperienced fighters do... loaded up for a big swing and I just swung once, connecting with his jaw. I knew the dude was drunk and unbalanced. That hit rocked him and he stumbled backward. I could have kept swinging and probably would have messed him up pretty well, but I chose to flee after that first hit. I told him, "I could have messed you up really bad" as I walked away. His friend grabbed him and they went the other direction as he was yelling incoherently...

Love the video clips. Elbows are excellent tip.

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ RULE #1 : Avoid street fights RULE #2 : if you throw the 1st punch , before doing that make sure you are not fighting on a concrete surface ( road ) , etc , cause if the other guy gets knocked out , his head will hit the hard surface & immediate death & you end up going to jail , 100's of videos of street fighting on RU-vid, Instagram where people have died after hitting their head on hard surface ( mainly roads/streets where majority of fights takes place ) RULE #3 : Nothing to win , everything to lose RULE #4 : Never forget RULE #1

I personally think that a simple push is effective enough to get your opponent off balance and get past the posturing stage of the fight. Also get him out of your personal space. A stiff arm to keep distance as well also. Then if he escalates the fight go to grappling or striking.

More solid advice. When that close, knees and elbows are the way to go. I like to control the threat’s head if possible.

We have what is called "personal space" . For me that is a 2 foot perimeter all around my body. You can't always have 2 feet like when you're standing in a crowd or waiting in line but if someone is being aggressive towards me, once they enter that 2 foot perimeter, I swing or kick. It's conditional to what targets are available.

I got sucker-punched twice in my life because I'm generally a non-confrontational person. Lesson learned... if someone gets in your face they will eventually hit you first and don't think you can "calm" things down with talk.

It's all good getting the first strike in and springing the element of surprise until the dude you're fighting takes the punch like a baby slapped him and then you get mauled and repeatedly kicked in the head i have seen this happen outside pubs a lot. Edit: What if you even threw an elbow which proceeds to slide off his jaw making him lose his shit i know i would if someone just belted me like that.

The target lecture was actually good info.

Thanks for the lesson!! Right now im going to street to put in práctic.🤣👍

*Eastside Low Bottoms sh*t !* _Tappin' in from South Central LA_ 100% ! Where I grew up, it was locally known as "bomb first" ! You're mentality basically has to be "Them or me". 🤷🏾‍♂️

I'm a small guy. I was about 30 yrs old when I realized this. I used to have the Chihuahua mentality, and I actually won a pretty intense kickboxing tournament when I was 15 or 16. (ISKA) I haven't had the urge to fight in at least ten years. Nowadays, I don't go to rowdy places without at least one big friend that trains and/or fights. I also carry a pistol whenever I can, but obviously there are lots of situations where it's use isn't justified. I would rather take a beating than a life. Apparently, I have a pretty hard skull, and my jaw has only been broken once.

When in doubt Attack fast and hard

I got a Expression where I grew up in Boston first punch wins a fight reasoning behind it is the first punch landed probably gives you at least 3 to 4 seconds to land another punch second punch will give you at least 5 to 10 seconds to land a couple more those couple more gonna give you a bunch of time to do whatever the f..,,, you want

I am a woman, 5’3” & I’ve had multiple spinal surgeries after a car accident. You would never know I have these injuries looking at me. If I got hit it could seriously damage me, even paralyze me. If someone aggressively steps into my personal space, I have to defend myself quickly & effectively. I would never attempt to hurt someone but I want to stop them before they start. I’m pulling the first move.

Don't worry about what the other guy might do to you, just focus on what you're going to do to him.

short and to the point = great vid

Everyone needs more than their salary to be financiaIIy stable. The best thing to do with your money is to lnvest it rightly because money left for savings always end up used with no returns.