The Art Of Fighting Dirty

Episode 51 :)

Fighting dirty is going beyond the normal fighting ‘etiquette’. It’s certainly not staying within ‘Queensbury Rules’. Fighting dirty doesn’t adhere to any written rules or regulations. It’s employing the exact opposite of what’s allowed in a sporting contest.

While this subject matter is about fighting, it could be a metaphor for fighting for the goals you wish to achieve in life or business.

Fighting dirty can mean different things to different people and can even vary from region to region.

Years ago, I was working as a doorman at an Irish bar in Los Angeles, California. I was the only Irish person working at that bar and on one of the nights when I arrived to start my shift, I noticed that the security staff seemed a bit more apprehensive and nervous than normal. Two of my colleagues were basket ball players. One of them was seven foot tall and the other was six and a half foot and solidly built. They told me their apprehension was due to the fact that an Irish group had booked an event there that night. Of course, I was ready to defend my nationality and asked them why this should be an issue. They then told me that if there were any incidents, the Irish are known to bite and headbutt! I couldn’t argue and actually felt a little bit of pride. Upon further questioning, they told me that they were used to some type of sportsmanship in the street encounters.

When should you fight dirty?

Fighting dirty can have severe consequences. You could badly harm your assailant. You could get into trouble with the law. You could suffer from guilt for a long time afterwards. Suffice it to say, fighting dirty may only be justified in cases of extreme violence and where your very survival is at risk. Your actions could result in both a moral and a legal dilemma for you. If you have any part in escalating a situation, you will find it very hard to justify your actions if they lead to consequences.

Fighting dirty isn’t for heightened arguments with friends, peers or family members. It’s for more extreme situations like being attacked when you weren’t expecting it and when you’re life and well-being are at stake.

Maybe a disclaimer would be perfect right now. I’m not endorsing any action that you may choose to take as a result of reading this blog and I cannot be held responsible for any repercussions.

How do you fight dirty?

If you use striking that would be illegal in a sporting fight and strike the targets that would be illegal in a sporting fight, this would definitely get you on the fighting dirty path. Just because someone has practiced martial arts, this doesn’t necessarily cross over to being proficient at self-defence. It can certainly help but pure self-defence training is a different discipline and mind-set.

Dirty fighting can include head butts, eye gouging, kicking the knees, groin strikes, targeting the throat, various open hand strikes, grabbing hair, fish hooking, joint strikes and even spitting.

Mis-direction, distraction and faking weakness/tiredness/injury can all be used to catch your assailant unaware in order to even up the odds in your favour. Hiding the start of your strike will transition you from being fast to being explosive. Engaging your fast twitch muscle fibres is best when speed is essential.

If that’s not enough violent content for you, you could attempt to gain an advantage by equipping yourself with a weapon. If there are no readily available weapons, use everyday objects at hand. Many items can become improvised lethal weapons.

I do hope that you never have to fight dirty. If confrontation situations are a worry for you or if you would simply like to learn some self-defence in order to build your confidence, please check out your local clubs. Please let me know if you need any advice or support.

I would love to hear your views. Please get in touch using any of the channels below. All comments, reviews, subscribes, likes and shares are greatly appreciated. I read all of the messages and attempt to reply to each one. Thank you for all your continued support.

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By Roundhouse Rob, The Success Sensei

Robert Devane is a serial entrepreneur and experienced investor as well as a former martial arts multiple World champion and professional MMA fighter with over 20 years of coaching experience.

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