#587 - How to Take a Punch Tips

How to Take a Punch - Tips

• If you get knocked down do not get back up until you are out of your assailant's fighting range. You are completely open to any attack while getting up off the ground. Try rolling out of the assailant's fighting range (about seven to eight feet). Note that your assailant will still be standing up during this attempt so try to keep an eye on the assailant's movement while rolling away.
• If you are hit in the head-region and start bleeding, be aware that your body naturally maintains a higher blood pressure there. Don't panic at gushing nose-bleeds, or profuse bleeding, as they usually look worse than they actually are. While it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible, you should stay calm and try to get out of the immediate danger of this assailant first.
• Before entering a fight it is important to have an idea of what to do, for example do not just wave your arms in the air attempting to strike. Moves such as the "double tap, fore arm smack" are better as they combine a series of punches that will increase pain inflicted on the opponent, whilst giving time for you to escape.
• Remember that learning to take punches takes more than simply reading about how it is done. You need to condition your mind and your body and this takes time and a lot of work.
• Try to maximize the time the fist strikes you. As a basic law of physics the longer the impulse (in this case a punch) the less force it exerts on you.
• A "smart" fighter will attack vulnerable areas of your body: groin, throat, eyes, kidneys, etc, or they will pick up something (beer bottle, chair, rock, etc) to attack you with. Unfortunately, most of the time you will only realize your assailant is a smart fighter after he has already started attacking you. Your best option in any situation is to treat all attacks as dangerous, and avoid getting hit at all. Do not try to "take" a punch unless there's absolutely no way you can avoid it. Most people are dirty fighters, and if your life or health is threatened, you should be one too. Kick the assailant in the groin, flee, and call the police.
• Avoid punches whenever possible! Getting punched can be an extremely traumatic injury with life-altering consequences such as neurological damage, permanent scarring, broken bones, and in extreme cases even death. However, if you are in a situation where you're likely going to be punched, don't consider these things until after the confrontation.
• Following these instructions doesn't mean that you are invincible from all punches.Always get checked out by a doctor after you've been punched.
• Systema is a Russian martial art, which has a good deal of focus on taking and receiving hits, and is ideal for these kind of situations. With proper technique and training, punches will do very little damage.
• This how-to is not intended to encourage fighting. Fighting should always be the absolute last resort in any situation.

source: wikihow