Is it really so much harder to use ones own aggression against them?

Mallic

Green Belt
I've been told constantly that the best way to fight is to be as aggressive as you can and overwhelm the other person, but that has never worked out for me. I've always had more success taking people's aggression and using it against them. But is it really that black and white in regards to the "Right" way to fight?
Also don't ask me if i've gone to a gym yet "i'm working on it" (You know who you are)
 
The moment that you understand how to run your opponent down, the moment that your fighting skill have moved into another level.

If you kick (or punch) me, I'll run you down.



If you do nothing, I'll still run you down.

 
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The moment that you understand how to run your opponent down, the moment that your fighting skill have moved into another level.

If you kick (or punch) me, I'll run you down.



If you do nothing, I'll still run you down.

So its all the same huh?
 
I'm skeptical of that top video, in particular, whether or not the karateka was providing legitimate resistance. The timing of that mae geri jodan was so bad, it could even have been a fatal mistake against an untrained fighter. That has to be a demo.
 
Depends. From my experience if the person is significantly stronger than you then redirecting their aggression is pretty hard. I like to think of it as you need to be assertive and not so much being aggressive. In my mind aggression is uncontrolled, assertiveness is the same direct force but you are in control of it.
 
I would hope that anybody that trains for a couple decades would have good control of their emotions. I kinda like cold & calculating over anger. We learn a killing art and training to the place where you have choices as to just how much force it takes to resolve a situation. De escalation is a good thing. Angry or drunk or drunk and angry assailants are probably the only assailants we’ll come access. Robbers are not angry, maybe angry at society, If I’m robbed at gun or knife point they can have my wallet or wife’s purse.
 
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Depends. From my experience if the person is significantly stronger than you then redirecting their aggression is pretty hard. I like to think of it as you need to be assertive and not so much being aggressive. In my mind aggression is uncontrolled, assertiveness is the same direct force but you are in control of it.
I'm noticing a lot of people who seem to not really understand the difference.
There is no one correct way. Sometimes you need to be aggressive, sometimes a counter puncher. The trick is to read the situation and decide which is appropriate.
It just feels so foreign to me, being something like a counterpuncher/outboxer feels way more natural to me because you're the one coming to me you're the one making the risk and I can use that against you.
 
I've been told constantly that the best way to fight is to be as aggressive as you can and overwhelm the other person, but that has never worked out for me. I've always had more success taking people's aggression and using it against them. But is it really that black and white in regards to the "Right" way to fight?
No, it's not black and white. There are a lot of variables. Size, strength and speed come into play when talking about aggressively overwhelming the opponent. Skill and experience of both fighters are considerations and each fighter's natural style as well.

There's a time in a fight when caution is best, a time when countering is best, and usually a time when an all-out finishing blitz is the right choice. IMO it is a mistake to rely on any one strategy. Each fight, each momentary situation within a fight is unique. One should be open to use any/all of these strategies when the opportunity calls for them.
 
Had the fighters not been wearing helmets, the initial kick may have dome more damage. How do you do head damage to a head inside a football helmet?
 
I know two people who very successfully redirected aggression and did serious stuff to their attackers, both trained in US Marines judo & jiu jujitsu. (Judo is jiu jitsu except you let go of the attacker and let him bounce.)
 
I'm skeptical of that top video, in particular, whether or not the karateka was providing legitimate resistance. The timing of that mae geri jodan was so bad, it could even have been a fatal mistake against an untrained fighter. That has to be a demo.
The karateka is a blue belt. Looks more like cooperative sparring. From comments, Aikido technique breakdown:

0:42 An attempted kote gaeshi
0:48 either a kata ha gaeshi (single wing turnover) or a very similar shoulder lock
1:42 o soto gari or o soto otoshi or something similar to that.
2:00 Where I'm from we'd just call that o uchi gari

Fight Commentary Breakdowns
Sep 10, 2024

We have a great Aikido vs TKD match from an aikidoka named N Takako. Let's look at what each practitioner has to offer in this exchange. Let us know what these moves are called, for those of you familar with Aikido or Taekwondo!

The channel we featured: / @takakonakamura The sparring video we commentated: • Aikido VS Taekwondo

 
I know two people who very successfully redirected aggression and did serious stuff to their attackers, both trained in US Marines judo & jiu jujitsu. (Judo is jiu jitsu except you let go of the attacker and let him bounce.)
I honestly prefer judo over jiujitsu, something amusing about sending someone flying with their own momentum
 
I've been told constantly that the best way to fight is to be as aggressive as you can and overwhelm the other person, but that has never worked out for me. I've always had more success taking people's aggression and using it against them. But is it really that black and white in regards to the "Right" way to fight?
Also don't ask me if i've gone to a gym yet "i'm working on it" (You know who you are)
Define 'fight'. Are we talking street fighting or sparring?
 
Define 'fight'. Are we talking street fighting or sparring?
mmmm I'm considering both, while I do factor in self-defense scenarios, even in arena fights it seems people tend to just favor the ancient art of "Unga Bunga" over anything more tactical.
 
I've been told constantly that the best way to fight is to be as aggressive as you can and overwhelm the other person, but that has never worked out for me.
Who told you that? Can you give examples?
I've always had more success taking people's aggression and using it against them.
In what context? Boxing sparring? Judo randori? Physical altercation in a bar?
But is it really that black and white in regards to the "Right" way to fight?
Also don't ask me if i've gone to a gym yet "i'm working on it" (You know who you are)
The reason people ask you is that, without experience that grounds you, you lack reference to concrete physical interactions (e.g. "when a taller opponent jabs at me in sparring"). This makes it impossible to go beyond vague concepts, both in your reflection and in people's answers to your questions. Without context, this is meaningless.

Edit: for example "using one's own aggression against them" can mean a ton of different things. Same for "overwhelming aggression". You ask whether one is harder than the other, but this may heavily depend on the situation.
 
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