How to Take a Punch
Wear protective equipment if possible., Clench your fists., Raise your fists to your face., Tuck in your chin., Keep your elbows tight against your body., Adopt a wide stance., Watch the attacker's dominant shoulder., Occupy your mind., Block blows...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Wear protective equipment if possible.
If you're boxing or participating in a similar sport, wear a helmet and mouth guard.
Your head is one of your most vulnerable areas, so don't pass on safeguards.
Even while wearing a helmet, you should still protect your face as described below. -
Step 2: Clench your fists.
Curl your fingertips right up against your palm and place your thumb against the outside of your knuckles.
These techniques "buttress" your fist, creating a shape that's four times as stable as an open hand.This stability will help you block blows, and land a punch yourself if necessary. , Bring your fists up directly in front of your cheeks, protecting as much of your face as possible.
A blow to the face has a significant chance of causing a concussion, where your brain collides with the back of your skull. , This reduces the amount of your face that's exposed, and limits access to your neck.
Keep it tucked against your chest with your fists up, but don't bend your head so low that you can't see the assailant. , The organs in your abdomen are some of the most dangerous places you can get punched.
Keep your elbows directly in front of your torso to protect these areas, loose enough that you can move quickly in response to blows.
Here are the areas most important to protect:
Your liver, just below the right side of your rib cage.
Getting punched here can cause you to collapse due to the drop in blood pressure.Your spleen, on the upper left side of your torso.
The rib cage does protect this already, but it's still best to keep one arm in front of it.
Damage here can cause major internal bleeding.Your kidneys, on the left and right side just above your waist level.
Trauma here can lead to kidney failure. , Stand with your knees bent and your legs firmly underneath you.
This lowers your center of gravity, helping you stay balanced.
It also makes you a more difficult target to hit, since you'll be poised to move and dodge if you need to.
Turn your body slightly away from the oncoming attack to protect your center line, including your groin, solar plexus, and throat.
Position your dominant foot slightly forward and keep a little more weight on your back foot, so you'll be poised to strike back if necessary. , Shoulder movement is usually your first clue that a punch is coming.
You may even notice roughly where they're aiming, by watching how high or low their shoulder moves.
Eye contact is the second best option, but a skilled fighter can fool you by glancing the wrong way or keeping their eyes fixed.
Avoid tunnel vision.
When confronted with a threat, it's very easy to make that the center of your universe.
Avoid this natural tendency and try to maintain peripheral vision and awareness of your surroundings, especially other assailants. , Your fight or flight instinct will kick in, but you have to stay focused and maintain the ability to make good decisions.
Strange as it sounds, worrying about the punch will make it hurt more.
It may help to know that the body recovers surprisingly quickly after a hard punch.
Focus on holding your protective stance and watching your assailant, and your odds will go up. , Your defensive position already presents your shoulder and hip to your attacker.
He'll have to reach past them to hit your abdomen, which gives you more time to react.
Try to shift so the blow lands on your shoulders, pectorals, arms, fists, thighs, or butt.
All of these areas can take strong hits with relatively minor damage. , If you can't avoid getting hit, move your body in the direction the blow is moving.
This is especially effective if you pull your shoulder back or step back with one foot, turning a direct hit into a glancing blow.
Even a direct hit to the stomach will hurt less if you let yourself fall back as it connects. , If you have strong abdominal muscles, tensing them can absorb the blow and help protect your organs.
However, attempting this with weaker muscles may be less effective than rolling back as described above. , Try not to get hit while breathing in or holding your breath.
This will only result in you "getting winded" or "getting the wind knocked out of you." When the body is shocked like this, it's unable to respond for several moments, giving the assailant time to land another punch.
Shooting a short burst of air from your mouth or nose will also flex your abs, which may help if they're strong enough to absorb a blow. , Your legs will feel weak or shaky after you get punched.
Remember to keep your legs apart and your knees bent despite this feeling.
If you step off-center or straighten your knees, your opponent will have an easy time knocking you to the ground. , If you have fast reflexes, you can move within arm's reach so the punch doesn't reach full force.This can backfire if you get your timing wrong, so it's best used in desperate situations only, such as the following:
If your back is literally against a wall, this may be your only option to avoid a serious blow.
If you are trying to escape, a rush forward in the middle of a punch may send your opponent off-balance or even knock him down. , If your jaw is open when you get punched, it could lead to a broken jaw or teeth.
Keep your tongue well inside your mouth so it doesn't end up injured or severed. , You probably don't need to be told this, but it's so important that it bears repeating: a blow to your face is dangerous and disorienting.
Protect it as a top priority. , You should always roll with a punch if it is directed at your head.
Move with the flow of the punch, rather than against it.
Do not move toward a punch aimed at your face, since this could bring about serious injury and head whipping. , If you can't block a punch aimed at your nose or eye, duck so it hits your forehead instead.
While all blows to the head are dangerous, blows to the nose or eye are more likely to cause broken bones or interfere with vision or chewing.Don't make the mistake of bending toward the fist.
Duck straight down, or even lean back slightly as you duck. , It is natural to want to close your eyes when you see a punch coming.
Try not to close your eyes for long.
You need to be able to predict what the opponent will do next, and decide whether it's time to throw a punch of your own. , A brain injury can take a few hours or days to show symptoms.
Have a friend keep an eye on you after the fight.
Scheduling a doctor's appointment is recommended after any blow to the head, but especially if you see the following symptoms:
Schedule an appointment within the next 24 hours if you feel confused, sleepy, or nauseous; lose memories; vomit; have a mild or moderate headache; or see flashing lights.
Seek emergency services immediately if you have trouble thinking or moving; have a severe headache or stiff neck; feel extremely sleepy or lose consciousness; vomit more than once; or develop unusual eye movements or pupils of unequal sizes. -
Step 3: Raise your fists to your face.
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Step 4: Tuck in your chin.
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Step 5: Keep your elbows tight against your body.
-
Step 6: Adopt a wide stance.
-
Step 7: Watch the attacker's dominant shoulder.
-
Step 8: Occupy your mind.
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Step 9: Block blows with padded or sturdy areas.
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Step 10: Roll with the punch.
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Step 11: Use strong muscles to your advantage.
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Step 12: Breathe out as you get punched.
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Step 13: Keep your balance.
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Step 14: Learn when to move toward your opponent.
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Step 15: Keep your mouth shut and your jaw closed.
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Step 16: Block or dodge whenever possible.
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Step 17: Move with the punch.
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Step 18: Take the punch with your forehead as a last resort.
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Step 19: Open your eyes.
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Step 20: Watch for symptoms of injury after the fight.
Detailed Guide
If you're boxing or participating in a similar sport, wear a helmet and mouth guard.
Your head is one of your most vulnerable areas, so don't pass on safeguards.
Even while wearing a helmet, you should still protect your face as described below.
Curl your fingertips right up against your palm and place your thumb against the outside of your knuckles.
These techniques "buttress" your fist, creating a shape that's four times as stable as an open hand.This stability will help you block blows, and land a punch yourself if necessary. , Bring your fists up directly in front of your cheeks, protecting as much of your face as possible.
A blow to the face has a significant chance of causing a concussion, where your brain collides with the back of your skull. , This reduces the amount of your face that's exposed, and limits access to your neck.
Keep it tucked against your chest with your fists up, but don't bend your head so low that you can't see the assailant. , The organs in your abdomen are some of the most dangerous places you can get punched.
Keep your elbows directly in front of your torso to protect these areas, loose enough that you can move quickly in response to blows.
Here are the areas most important to protect:
Your liver, just below the right side of your rib cage.
Getting punched here can cause you to collapse due to the drop in blood pressure.Your spleen, on the upper left side of your torso.
The rib cage does protect this already, but it's still best to keep one arm in front of it.
Damage here can cause major internal bleeding.Your kidneys, on the left and right side just above your waist level.
Trauma here can lead to kidney failure. , Stand with your knees bent and your legs firmly underneath you.
This lowers your center of gravity, helping you stay balanced.
It also makes you a more difficult target to hit, since you'll be poised to move and dodge if you need to.
Turn your body slightly away from the oncoming attack to protect your center line, including your groin, solar plexus, and throat.
Position your dominant foot slightly forward and keep a little more weight on your back foot, so you'll be poised to strike back if necessary. , Shoulder movement is usually your first clue that a punch is coming.
You may even notice roughly where they're aiming, by watching how high or low their shoulder moves.
Eye contact is the second best option, but a skilled fighter can fool you by glancing the wrong way or keeping their eyes fixed.
Avoid tunnel vision.
When confronted with a threat, it's very easy to make that the center of your universe.
Avoid this natural tendency and try to maintain peripheral vision and awareness of your surroundings, especially other assailants. , Your fight or flight instinct will kick in, but you have to stay focused and maintain the ability to make good decisions.
Strange as it sounds, worrying about the punch will make it hurt more.
It may help to know that the body recovers surprisingly quickly after a hard punch.
Focus on holding your protective stance and watching your assailant, and your odds will go up. , Your defensive position already presents your shoulder and hip to your attacker.
He'll have to reach past them to hit your abdomen, which gives you more time to react.
Try to shift so the blow lands on your shoulders, pectorals, arms, fists, thighs, or butt.
All of these areas can take strong hits with relatively minor damage. , If you can't avoid getting hit, move your body in the direction the blow is moving.
This is especially effective if you pull your shoulder back or step back with one foot, turning a direct hit into a glancing blow.
Even a direct hit to the stomach will hurt less if you let yourself fall back as it connects. , If you have strong abdominal muscles, tensing them can absorb the blow and help protect your organs.
However, attempting this with weaker muscles may be less effective than rolling back as described above. , Try not to get hit while breathing in or holding your breath.
This will only result in you "getting winded" or "getting the wind knocked out of you." When the body is shocked like this, it's unable to respond for several moments, giving the assailant time to land another punch.
Shooting a short burst of air from your mouth or nose will also flex your abs, which may help if they're strong enough to absorb a blow. , Your legs will feel weak or shaky after you get punched.
Remember to keep your legs apart and your knees bent despite this feeling.
If you step off-center or straighten your knees, your opponent will have an easy time knocking you to the ground. , If you have fast reflexes, you can move within arm's reach so the punch doesn't reach full force.This can backfire if you get your timing wrong, so it's best used in desperate situations only, such as the following:
If your back is literally against a wall, this may be your only option to avoid a serious blow.
If you are trying to escape, a rush forward in the middle of a punch may send your opponent off-balance or even knock him down. , If your jaw is open when you get punched, it could lead to a broken jaw or teeth.
Keep your tongue well inside your mouth so it doesn't end up injured or severed. , You probably don't need to be told this, but it's so important that it bears repeating: a blow to your face is dangerous and disorienting.
Protect it as a top priority. , You should always roll with a punch if it is directed at your head.
Move with the flow of the punch, rather than against it.
Do not move toward a punch aimed at your face, since this could bring about serious injury and head whipping. , If you can't block a punch aimed at your nose or eye, duck so it hits your forehead instead.
While all blows to the head are dangerous, blows to the nose or eye are more likely to cause broken bones or interfere with vision or chewing.Don't make the mistake of bending toward the fist.
Duck straight down, or even lean back slightly as you duck. , It is natural to want to close your eyes when you see a punch coming.
Try not to close your eyes for long.
You need to be able to predict what the opponent will do next, and decide whether it's time to throw a punch of your own. , A brain injury can take a few hours or days to show symptoms.
Have a friend keep an eye on you after the fight.
Scheduling a doctor's appointment is recommended after any blow to the head, but especially if you see the following symptoms:
Schedule an appointment within the next 24 hours if you feel confused, sleepy, or nauseous; lose memories; vomit; have a mild or moderate headache; or see flashing lights.
Seek emergency services immediately if you have trouble thinking or moving; have a severe headache or stiff neck; feel extremely sleepy or lose consciousness; vomit more than once; or develop unusual eye movements or pupils of unequal sizes.
About the Author
Brenda Gonzales
Brings years of experience writing about DIY projects and related subjects.
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