Do you train for hand-to-hand?

[The Big D]

Indeed.

Spot on.

Be safe.

I could not live my life in that condition . . .

 

[old tanker]

Closing in on seventy, brawling is not on the dance card. If I haven't prevailed in the first 30 seconds, things are likely going badly for the home team.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...kick 'em in the left knee...kick 'em in the right knee...kick 'em in the wee knee...then run like hell...

 

[Protected One]

I took around 14 or 16 years of martial arts training. Two different schools; lots of parallels. Kung fu, jiu jitsu, hopkido (sp?), & similar. The older I got the harder it became to do all of the complex exercises and I tore my rotator cuff some years back doing combat rolls. So I no longer train for hand to hand combat. If it comes to that what will be will be but I'm very careful about my personal space because my preference is to have room to draw my weapon.

Then, again, I practice the color code rules of safety adopted by Col. Jeff Cooper so I'm mostly pretty much aware of who is near me and what they appear to be doing.

I know exactly what you mean. Started Krav Maga last year, and while its a strictly combat system (no forms, tournaments, etc...) the level of endurance required is "taxing" on us older guys. When I was young we often *intentionally* drew fights out because we considered them practice. Endurance was not an issue. Now, if I were to find myself in a fight, my goal would be to hurt them quickly and get it over with, because I don't have the desire (or stamina) for a long, drawn out fight.

 

[Inusuit]

I'm 72, only 5'7' and 150 pounds. I trained in hard style Karate for about five years and learned some important things:

1. In hand to hand combat, I will never beat some guy who grew up fighting for lunch money every day on the street.
2. Situational awareness is more important fighting skills. A fight avoided is a fight won. Run away if I can.
3. Don't go to stupid places and do stupid things with stupid people.
4. If all else fails, shoot to stop the threat.

 

[old tanker]

Some of the best advice I ever got about a fight is, "If you ever give some *** your best shot, don't hang round to see how it turns out!"

I also carry a good stout cane because I am old enough to do so without it looking like a weapon. A few basic blocks and counters are all I can do well. I mean to hurt them enough to get away.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyOqBhc4r8c[/ame]

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The problem with these martial arts guys is that ya gots to shoot em before they get the idea to leave ya alone.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sduzV5jSv8E[/ame]

 

[Rpg]

I'm 67, with bad hips and knees.

I lose in hand to hand combat.

Not so much if I use a handgun.

No, I don't train in hand to hand combat.

My time is better spent training with my handgun.

May be tough on the attacker.

That's OK.

He started the fight, I just want to end it.

With me OK.

 

[Thomasino]

Honestly, my biggest fears are aggressive dogs, and getting sued for shooting someone in self-defense. Even if I am in the right, legal fees scare me. I know, it's better than being 6 feet under,but I've worked hard to amass my retirement savings. I don't like to be f'd with, but I'm a 'last resort' type of guy. Please don't tread on me!

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[elpac3]

Was once told that using a bayonette when you have rounds in the magazine is not a good trade off. Why get in really close to stick 'm when you can stand off and shoot?

If a physical confrontation is the issue - walk away. If that is not working - OC spray and run like hell.

If all else fails, young healthy guys beating on an old infirm guy, disparity of force issue - lethal force must now be considered.

 

[KSDeputy]

I carry a hardwood cane, that I can use like a baton. First I will break the person's clavicle, that will most likely end it. If not I have other weapons I can use besides my firearm.

 

[blues7]

I carry a hardwood cane, that I can use like a baton. First I will break the person's clavicle, that will most likely end it. If not I have other weapons I can use besides my firearm.

I have an Irish blackthorne stick I used to religiously carry but have gotten away from on the walks with the dog up and down the mountain to the mailbox on the main road and back.

No humans have felt it's bite but a few unruly and unsupervised dogs have learned not to approach with menace on their mind.

 

[Mister X]

It may be comforting for the elderly and disabled to think they can just rely on situational awareness and their gun, but that isn't always reality. You may have no choice but to utilize unarmed self-defense skills(even if just to access your weapon) whether you train in them or not. Probably even more so since the ability to flee is comparatively limited, mental awareness and acuity decline over time and quickness of movement and reflexes slow with age. Plus violent predators often prey on what they view as weak and easy targets. There will often be very little warning when they launch their assault so as to catch the victim off guard. Keep in mind I'm referencing violent crimes not ego driven street brawls. I'm not advocating the disabled or elderly undertake some type of extensive H2H or martial arts training, but I think it wise to study and gain familiarity with the issue to understand how best to minimize risk and mitigate limitations.

 

[gwpercle]

That's why I carry a gun, at 68 I'm too darn old to be going hand to hand and running is out of the question .

 

[bigggbbruce]

All I can say..........if it's going to go......start with the finish

Avoid if AT ALL possible............very dangerous

I have a steel plate and screws holding my neck together, both shoulders have injuries, my ribs suffered a flail chest with multiple rib fix.. list goes on.

If I have to react strongly to avoid, I will.

 

[richardw]

Looks like I am the really old guy on the block. I am 75 and gratefully in good health except for both rotator cuffs being damaged and arthritis of the hands.

I do not train in H2H fighting I just practice six essential moves that would be best used in a close quarter fight like a mugging or knife attack. The moves work well against an arm driven attack with a knife, club, or fist/hand. While I once was trained to do much more, I selected simple to do basics for a physical encounter.

A few months back I wrote them out in a post I made to this forum. I will see if I. An find it and link to it.

 

[NYlakesider]

At my age (72) and state of health. Breathing problems, bad leg, heart problems, take Cumindin, I will not get into a hands on situation. Someone might try to go hands on with me but that does not mean I have to.

It was decades ago I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and knew how to fight. Things are much different for me now!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I took a dozen years of martial arts training. My body cannot stand that any longer but if I have to get physical I am prepared for it.

 

[eb07]

I do, with younguns and olduns. We have a local force on force group.

But as I find myself getting older and approaching the big 50, and the years of dirtbike riding and other sports are taking their toll on the old joints.... pepper spray or other less than lethal means to complement my five banger is starting to look better and better.