Do you train for hand-to-hand?

[steelslaver]

I used to fight, heck I used to bounce. Now, I am 72, fat and outta shape. I could still take a pretty good shot but wouldn't last long in a fight. I don't start fights, I don't argue with drunks and I also live in a gun tolerant area where anyone that got shot while attacking a guy in his 70s would not get any sympathy what so ever.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I think the key to being able to train in empty hand stuff well into advanced age is staying on top of your personal resiliency and managing injuries as best as you can.

Easy to say but look at some of the remarks above - internal metal parts are not designed for fighting. Geezers with or without metal parts are no longer designed for fighting. There's a rare few but, for the rest of us, weapons are the answer.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I am waiting for Elon to develop personal force fields.

 

[SouthNarc]

Easy to say but look at some of the remarks above - internal metal parts are not designed for fighting. Geezers with or without metal parts are no longer designed for fighting. There's a rare few but, for the rest of us, weapons are the answer.

I’m not disputing weapons aren’t the answer.

I’m not saying many don’t have legitimate limitations.

What I am saying is many let their bodies go and can’t do much of ANYTHING physically.

I’m not referencing anyone on this forum.

MANY……choose to train the BEST they can AROUND their limitations. One off the top of my head is a 71 year old who is the recipient of a heart and lung transplant who is a client of mine.

 

[Mister X]

My current perspective would be to understand and establish exactly why you what to undertake training, the degree of its necessity and clearly define your goals in a balanced way.

And I don’t think it can be stressed enough exercising a great deal of caution when selecting an instructor. Not just for avoiding wasting your time learning ineffective methods, but more for your own safety. I’ve seen some pretty horrific injuries over the years that caused lasting loss of quality of life and/or disability. During my nearly 4 decades of interest and involvement in various martial arts and H2H systems(most of which I regret), I have encountered only a very limited number of dedicated instructors and serious practitioners(per my definition) whom I would consider psychologically healthy. Just my opinion.

 

[Catwrangler]

I discovered this story about my dad after his death. Due to osteo arthritis in his right hip, so he walked with a cane. No a normal cane, the acquired a shepards crook cut to cane length 1.25 inch in diameter and made out of oak. He and his best friend were leaving their senior center one evening when they were accosted by a knife wielding "gentleman" wanting money. My dad's best friend relayed the story to me that my dad reached out and hooked the B.G.s ankle and took him of²f his feet and proceeded to wear out this guy's head, ankles and knees with this stout piece of oak to the point the B.G. couldn't even stand and my dad and friend got to his car and made their escape. A year after by Dad passed his friend shared this story with me. I have that cane and at 71 have some issues of my own. I have that cane, but it's too short for me. Gonna acquire a crook of my own and follow in his footsteps. Never bring a knife to a stick fight.

 

[Data]

@ BCDWYO
So the question for some of you fellow mature guys is do you train for physical altercations, and if so how? Any recommendations? General thoughts on the subject?
Thanks in advance!

The reality is there are no guarantees in life. Probably the greatest asset to have when it comes to self-defense surpassing middle age is the wellbeing of good health and age appropriate fitness. That being said, I don't think joining a MMA gym is going to get you anywhere because that means getting your *** kicked day in day out. Do you really want to compile a training injury on top of age related health and well being? I see it as counter-productive. Lastly, what is your current state of fitness? Do you smoke or drink? Do you have heart related issues? Do you consider yourself at risk for Stroke? Physical check up recently? Did you get your Primary Care Provider's approval and so on. So my take is ... Start with your personal health and assessment before moving on.

don't forget mental health state and outlook is part of of the equation too. This is just food for thought and another way of looking at the approach with respect to your questions.

Best,
Data

 

[Bald1]

I had to laugh at TXBryan post. I think we’ve all had a friend like that. Hell I was that friend. I’ve learned this over the years. My father actually drilled this into my head as a kid growing up in the city……. If you’re fighting fair, you’re not fighting. Never show mercy as your opponent would never show you any. And from experience I’ve learned even after you win a fight, it still hurts the next day. Chances are the other guy got in at least one good lick.

 

[Data]

The whole thread is about H2H. I thought my question was clear. If not, it is now.

A lot of folks here believe they can rely completely on a gun and situational awareness. I think that is short-sighted and unrealistic.

I think there are people on this forum who train H2H as well as other alternatives; however, I don't think many are going to divulge that information or have an open discussion on a public forum. I think most will keep it to themselves or too their trusted circle of comrades. I could be entirely wrong, but that is just my guess.

 

[Old cop]

I’m in my late 70s and handicapped so I no longer train in hand-to-hand combat. We did get some training in the police academy, but that was in 1968. I got in my share of scrapes in 30 yrs on the job and managed to come out on top due to the training we received. At this stage of life I am well aware of the outcome of any fight coming my way so I avoid this at all costs.

 

[AJ]

I think there are people on this forum who train H2H as well as other alternatives; however, I don't think many are going to divulge that information or have an open discussion on a public forum. I think most will keep it to themselves or too their trusted circle of comrades. I could be entirely wrong, but that is just my guess.

When younger I was trained in both hand to hand, weapons take aways and to put it bluntly gun fighting. Now that I am in my 70's, I understand and know the mechanics and applications of hand to hand. However, the physical application is no long the smart thing to try.

 

[fordson]

When I was in my thirties, I trained in Taekwondo. I was good enough to had worked my way to Brown Belt. That was some 40 years ago. Today, the only brown belt I have holds up my pants……and my holster………

 

[LCC]

We carry so that if we are attacked we can defend.
There are so many MMA wannabe, weight pumped, Red Bull amped knuckleheads about these days, my hand is rarely not on the 365 .380 in my pocket when around the slightest of suspicious folks.
My Shotkan instructor back in the 70's was a former Marine hand to hand instructor in boot camp, and he used to state 'the best defense against a bad *** street thug if not carrying is a good pair of running shoes.'

 

[Yaworski]

Maybe if I was Chuck Norris or Rocky Blier but at my age and in my physical condition: fat, bad knees, bad shoulder, I'm not going to engage in any fisticuffs.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Ten Year Old Thread …

In 2014, yes as a retired cop working Executive Protection.

Today? As a Senior Citizen, no. But I do have a .45 caliber automatic.

 

[max503]

Yes. I train to avoid it.

 

[Vtgw938]

Maybe it's 30 years as police or almost as many training others in use of force, but I cringe when I hear someone suggest they can use deadly force because they are wearing a gun and don't want it taken away. I am no where near as educated in civilian use of force as for police and would likely respond more as I would have.

 

[WR Moore]

SouthNarc makes some good points. Having said that, while I'm in pretty good shape for my age, I shudder to think of what might happen should I attempt the mandatory yearly PT test I did last in 2015. I used to joke about how part of the weight we carried to simulate gear should include an Oxygen tank past a certain age. I've noticed that what I don't have like I used to is stamina.

A bout with pneumonia a couple of years ago proved to me that if you REALLY need that cane, walking stick or whatever, your best move is to get your back up against a wall for support. With the exception of the stuff on the canemaster website, most "training" features 30 something dojo rats, not us old farts who really need it and moves we might be able to actually make.

I've no idea (and I should have) what moves might resurface from the memory banks at need. I do know that if the effort doesn't take the foe out of the fight right then and there, I'm not gonna outlast him/her/them. Have to maintain the alertness at a high level and avoid such threats as best I can.

Predators-regardless of species-generally avoid alert & healthy prey. Maintain your awareness and do your best not to look like the weak and unsuspecting victims they prey on.