Fighting a Larger Opponent – Striking

Is your character fighting a larger opponent? Of course they are! That’s how it always is and a question I am often asked is what should the smaller character do. In this post, we are going to just look at the striking aspect of it all. But, before addressing how to deal with fighting a larger opponent in striking, it’s important to know why a larger opponent is a bigger problem – literally. Yes, obviously they are larger, but it’s not so much the size that’s the issue. It’s the potential for greater force.

Efficient fighting is a science. In the case of strikes, it’s all physics. The power delivered by strikes (punches and kicks) derives from the ground with movement of the feet and culminates in the hips with drive (jab, cross, push kicks) or torque (hooks, round kicks). That powerful drive/rotation helps the fighter get their mass behind their punch while also creating greater speed. Multiply that mass x acceleration (speed) and you have greater Force. F = ma

The smaller fighter cannot change the mass of their larger opponent.  But what they can do is disrupt the chain of events that gives the strike its speed. When you lessen the speed, you lessen to the force of the strike. And, as well, the smaller character can just dodge the thing and, ta-da, problem solved.

By the way, I do not suggest ever allowing your smaller character to block a full power strike of a much larger opponent. The impact will

According to Thrillist.com, the PSI of Tyson’s punch equal that of having a 221 lb anvil dropped on you from 5ft. I believe it!

definitely damage and maybe kill the smaller character depending on the size disparity. If I blocked Mike Tyson’s hook to my jaw, it would still knock me out or, more likely, break my neck. So, none of the counters I mention will involve a block.

Mitigating force

To lessen force, the smaller combatant has to get close to the larger – close enough to feel them breathe. Being close to the striker inhibits the striker’s rotation and drive. Reduce those and you not only lessen acceleration but the fighters ability to really get their mass behind things. Reduce those and you’ve lessened force and gotten a little help in fighting a larger opponent.

Imagine swinging a bat. Take away the rotation of the hitter’s body, and they’ve got little power in the arms. And, being hit by that bat close to the handle is less damaging than being hit by the bat’s end. It’s the same with the striker’s body. Get in close and the strike has had a good chance to really build up speed. And, as well, you are moving away from the business in of the strike to a fleshier area. Being his with the thigh in a round kick or bicep in a hook punch, is far less damaging than taking the shin or fist.

In the case of drive, think how much more productively you push when you are able to take a step. Remove that step, or drive, and you’ve weakened the push. Also, as a strike with drive moves straight out from the striker’s body, if you are close to that striker, you can’t be struck. The larger fighter would have to hook back around toward their own person. To do that effectively, they’d need rotation in the hips. But, if you are close to them, they won’t be able to rotate well.

However, it’s pretty hard to get around or get out of the way of those straight out strikes i.e. jabs/cross and push kicks. And, because blocking is a bad idea, the best defense is to parry or redirect that forward motion. And, ironically, the faster that forward motion of the strike, the less strength required to redirect it. The hard part is being fast enough to get to the strike before the strike gets to you. Also, the closer you are to a larger opponent, the easier it is for them to just grab you and sling you around like an ape! There is that to consider.

Most people don’t know how to fight

If you are overwhelmed with all this, you’re normal. I have said it many times in the life of this blog: fighting is a science. But, the good news is, most people don’t know how to fight and if they dare to throw a punch they don’t do it efficiently. They do these wide, bar room brawl sort of punches that aren’t even effective hooks. You see this a lot when a smaller guy is a fighting a larger opponent in movies. And, you don’t see many kicks in street fights as a whole.

So, since most people don’t know how to punch, that crazy wide punch is a very realistic addition to your fight scene. Luckily, it’s super easy to combat especially if you are smaller. Just duck under it. Allow the missed punch to wrap around the striker. When their arm is in front of their own body, slip in quickly and strike or take them down. (Takedowns are another post.) Also, as most folks are right handed, a right arm in front of the body leaves the liver open.

I’ve included some videos on proper kicking and punching as well as the parries when applicable. Whichever you will be using, look closely at the mechanics. With every strike, look at what the fighter is leaving vulnerable. Use that info for your counter moves. Remember, don’t add so much of your newly acquired technical knowledge into your story that you lose your reader. First and foremost, serve the story! (I’ve also included this video. Ignore the title. It’s the BEST FIGHT SCENE EVER! You’re welcome.)

The next time you see professional fighters at work, I hope you have a little more respect for what they do. They aren’t just brawling. They’re “sciencing!”

Until the next round at FightWrite.net, get blood on your pages!