A co-worker asked me how i would deal with a charging opponent in a self defense scenario, with the following assumptions:
It is always good to have assumptions defined.
1. Person performing the charge is 6'-0', heavy set, around 280 lbs.
This guy is smaller than me. So, I would have multiple options. I could stay as his mass is close to mine, but not as tall nor as large. Given the description as stated.
2. Person has little or no experience in martial arts.
Does Football or Wrestling count?
Being tackled still hurts, having a double leg take down still hurts.
Also, just being run over can hurt.
3. Person is 5 feet away before beginning to charge.
Not that long to get up to much of a head of steam and not too far to get tired of give you much time.
4. Person is charging with their forearms protecting their head (like a boxer stance).
Good info. But even with hands up the top of the head could be open.
5.You're in a small room with furniture (assume little room to maneuver).
Nice environment comes into play. So this is not the gym with open floor or the parking lot with no cars around. But who says stepping on chairs and tables is not allowed. I have been known to stop drop and roll under a table to get away from four charging guys.
6. You're armed only with an expandable baton.
Could I have a pen instead?
No Seriously could I have a pen instead. The baton is a weapon offensive or defensive it is a weapon. The pen even a knife has a use as a tool.
But even with that said, unless the weapon was in your hand you would not have time to deploy. Or at least the average person would not.
7. You're 5'-8", around 180 lbs (he outweighs your considerably)
Now comes the personal qualifications.
Are you trained? How long and in what?
Personally, given the opponent's size, i would attempt to strike the chin with an upward strike, then get ready to grapple.
how would you deal with the situation?
I would the person is that much larger than you, or me I would not go for the grapple. Having lots of mass roll over on you can take away your breath. If you cannot breath you cannot defend.
I might grab him and fall back and use my legs to throw him over me. You did say the opponent was not trained so this move could work if you have the timing. The legs are strong and I have shown that while 90 lb women may not be able to hold my weight up for long they can hold me up long enough to point me off line to them.
If baton is in hand, strike straight down to the top of the head. If you hit hands or head it dos not matter.
If I could jump up on a chair or table to generate space, I would try. It would also force him to change levels to keep up his charge.
If I could not move off line and defend then I would try a palm heel or open hand strike to the crown and try to compress the spine. A little wobble after impact is translated to the head and then spine. It has effect, as long as the person is not on drugs or so mad they cannot feel anything.
