Let’s face it:
Everyone fears the day when they might have to fight for their lives against a bigger person on the streets.
It’s not that we’re weak or anything, it just doesn’t seem fair!
If you’re looking for tips and techniques on how to defend yourself against a bigger person, then this is exactly what you were looking for.
We’ll show you some of the best self-defense techniques, attacks, and strategies against big guys. It doesn’t matter if you fight on the streets or train MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), these tips are also applicable to both scenarios.
Just keep in mind that even though it’s possible to defeat someone bigger than you, it doesn’t mean you should underestimate their strength.
So, without further ado, let’s check out some of the best tips & techniques on how to defend yourself against a bigger person.
How To Defend Yourself Against A Bigger Person
Run!
Yes, the first thing on the list of “How to defend yourself against a bigger attacker” is to RUN! If you think you can’t handle the situation on your own, then this should be your last resort.
Since we know that running is not always an option for everyone, let’s take a look at some other self-defense techniques that you can use when in a sticky situation.
1. Wear Comfortable Clothing
Seriously!
Clothing that is tight or restrictive can be dangerous for fights because it will prevent proper movement and blood flow. It might also give your opponent an extra grip on your body.
So, it’s always better to wear comfortable clothing with a lot of mobility rather than some fancy shorts that look good but will only restrict you in the fight. So, just keep that in mind!
2. Watch Their Hands At All Times
It might seem like common sense, but you should always be aware of your opponent’s hands. The last thing you want is for them to grab your arm or any other body part and turn it into a submission technique.
Once their grip is set, he can easily bring you down, which will leave you defenseless against their strikes. If this happens, then keep calm and try to find an opening to escape their grip and fight back again.
3. Stay Out Of Their Reach!
If your opponent is a lot bigger than you, then you need to always remember this:
You should stay out of their arms’ reach at all times. If they manage to grab you. Well, I think we already know what will happen next. So, whenever you find yourself in a street fight with someone bigger than you, then stay away from their arms’ reach at all times.
4. Watch Out For Their Elbows!
If your opponent reaches out with both hands to grab you, then watch out for their elbows because they might just try to get them behind your neck or on your side.
If you feel their elbows touching you, then try to pull away and find an opening to escape.
However, if he manages to get them behind your neck or on your sides, then just keep calm and slowly bring one of their hands down and use it as leverage to break free from the grip.
5. Use The Environment
If you find yourself in a street fight with someone bigger than you, they will likely be able to hit harder and move things around without much effort. However, if the environment is your friend, then use it at all times!
For example;
If there are items on the ground that can inflict pain onto your opponent, then use them! Kick, punch, throw – anything you can do to get out of the situation.
Don’t be afraid to use the environment in your favor. It’s not your fault that you have a small physique compared to someone bigger than you.
6. Take A Self-Defense Class And Learn How To Fight
This advice might not apply to everyone, but it’s still worth mentioning. If you want to learn how to fight when you’re in a bad position, then we recommend that you take a self-defense class and seek out pro tips and techniques from the experts.
It doesn’t matter if you do MMA or train for regular street fights, these pro tips will come in handy.
Read more on:
7. Don’t Fight In Close Quarters
If you find yourself at a close distance with your opponent, do not attempt to hit them! Just keep calm and try to slowly get out of the situation by using footwork and evasion techniques.
Also, try to kick your opponent in the shins or legs while you’re getting out of the situation. This will hurt them and it will also get you some space so that you can get back to fighting at a distance.
8. Do Your Best To Not Get Hit
If you do not want to get hit, then the best thing you can do is avoid their strikes. However, if you’re against someone with a longer reach than you, then this will be difficult for you to accomplish.
So, your best bet is to keep calm and try to find an opening to attack. If you feel that they’re about to swing at you, try to hit them first and avoid their blows as best as you can.
If you’re still having some difficulties avoiding their strikes, then just walk away from the situation as soon as possible and let it be someone else’s problem.
9. Avoid Grappling
If you find yourself in a grappling situation with a bigger man, then don’t do it! It will only bring you more problems and put you at a clear disadvantage.
So, if your opponent tries to grapple with you, then keep calm and slowly bring one of their hands down and elbow them as hard as possible.
10. Counterattack
Remember that you’re not at a disadvantage 100% of the time. There are some positions where you will be stronger than your opponent. Here are 2 positions that might help you with your street fight.
- If they grab you by the neck, then turn around and knee them as hard as possible in their stomach.
- If they grab you from behind and try to choke you, then drop your weight and make them fall on top of you. Once they do this, take the opportunity and put them in a headlock.
* Keep in mind that these 2 positions will only work if your attacker is not expecting it. So use these tips wisely!
11. Use Your Knees
If your opponent is in front of you and he’s trying to grapple with you, then this is what you should do. Bring one knee up and hit them straight hard on his face or stomach. This will take them down and it will also bring you some space so that you can get back to striking from a distance.
12. Knee Them In Their Groin
If you find yourself near your opponent, then kneeing them will be fairly easy to, especially if they have a longer reach than you. Just hit them as hard as possible in their groin area and don’t stop until you break free from their grip!
13. Get Back To Striking As Soon As Possible
This is the best and most important advice we can give you. Once you knock your opponent down and get back to striking, make sure you keep moving and do not stop until they’re down for good!
Don’t wait for them to stand up or counterattack. Keep hitting them as hard as possible over and over again until you knock them out!
14. Don’t Let Them Get More Close To You
If you find that your opponent is trying to get closer again, then quickly push their face or throw a knee into their stomach. This will hurt them and it will also keep the space between the 2 of you.
15. Take Your Time
If you find that your opponent is taking his time trying to counterattack or get out of difficult situations, then take this opportunity to strike them over and over again. Keep hitting them until he gives up!
16. If You Get Knocked Down, Don’t Ever Stay There For Too Long
If you’re knocked down and your opponent is still standing, then get up as quickly as possible and try to strike them in his face or his stomach. This will keep you from getting overwhelmed by a larger fighter.
How to Defend Yourself Against a Bigger Person – Bottom Line
Remember that you need to take the initiative. Do not let your opponent dictate how this match will end. If you hit them hard and move around a lot, then he will either:
- Overpower you and end it by knocking you out (and ending up in prison)
- Give up and make the situation only physical (no need for police)
- Try to avoid fighting yourself and look for an easier victim
If they try to avoid the situation, just let them be and stay alert because there’s always someone else that might try to hurt you or rob you. If they try to overpower you, then it will only be a matter of time before they lose and end up in prison.
And as you can see, if they try to avoid the situation, then there’s no need for the police and this situation will only be physical. This is what we want! So stay calm and take your time before striking back at your opponent. Remember that even a small person can stop a larger, stronger person by staying calm, striking hard, and taking down their opponent.