Taking a punch

[Booze Zombie]

Out of curiosity, I was looking up how to take a punch and a common theme seems to be that out of all the places to be hit, your forehead is one of the best as it's designed for rough impacts.

Watching a video, a martial artist claims that if you can't block and have to take a punch, what he likes to do is move his forehead into the guy's fist and whilst the other guy is occupied with that, double-punch him in the chest.
A tonne of comments claim that this is bullshit and that "in a real fight, a punch to your head is a K/O".

As I'm uneducated in these matters, it'd be nice if some of The Escapists more physically educated members could set the matter straight for me here.
Anyone?

 

[Spacelord]

It's not really the forehead but rather your hairline.

 

[PurpleLeafRave]

I have no feeling in the top of my head. Whatsoever. So although this could cause me some damage, I'm willing to try it in a fight if it works.

 

[Booze Zombie]

It's not really the forehead but rather your hairline.

Essentially, I'd be deflecting blows with the thing between my brain and the world?
I don't think I'd want to test this out in a fight, if I could help it.

I have no feeling in the top of my head. Whatsoever. So although this could cause me some damage, I'm willing to try it in a fight if it works.

It is apparently the "oh fuck, I'm about to take it" option, when you can't do anything but try to take the punch in the best possible way.
Probably best to avoid being in that situation, really.

Hell, the guide I read said "most people are dirty fighters, you should be too... kick your opponent in the crotch, run away and call the police".

 

[DSEZ]

Out of curiosity, I was looking up how to take a punch and a common theme seems to be that out of all the places to be hit, your forehead is one of the best as it's designed for rough impacts.

Watching a video, a martial artist claims that if you can't block and have to take a punch, what he likes to do is move his forehead into the guy's fist and whilst the other guy is occupied with that, double-punch him in the chest.
A tonne of comments claim that this is bullshit and that "in a real fight, a punch to your head is a K/O".

As I'm uneducated in these matters, it'd be nice if some of The Escapists more physically educated members could set the matter straight for me here.
Anyone?

the only real problem with getting hit in the forehead since the forehead is prolly one of the hardest parts of the body its got a very thin layer of skin over it causing it to get cut very easily

OT:you really cant learn to take a punch just clentch your teeth and hit the other person harder and keep your hands up

(expierence 4 years of Muay thai)

 

[Redingold]

Well, it beats being punched on the nose or in the jaw.

 

[NinjaRabies]

In theory it works because the top part of your forehead is very strong, but, (and this is a pretty big but) it's only practical against a punch to the face and it's not as easy as it seems. You have to time it right and be able to react, or else you might just get a jab in the eye or the nose. On the bright side, you can actually harm the hitter's wrist. Take this from one who's done this on more than one occation.

 

[Spacelord]

It's not really the forehead but rather your hairline.

Essentially, I'd be deflecting blows with the thing between my brain and the world?
I don't think I'd want to test this out in a fight, if I could help it.

Well ideally you could, you know, not get punched. In fact I can't think of any area on my body that I'd like to get punched at all. It's just that the area where your hairline starts is the toughest part of your skull, since that's where your head rounds off (it's kinda like the dome construction for you engineering types). When I had martial arts training I was taught you use that part of your head to headbutt someone.

That said though I wouldn't necessarily stick out your head to a guy who wants to punch you but rather, like, run away or something.

 

[Booze Zombie]

the only real problem with getting hit in the forehead since the forehead is prolly one of the hardest parts of the body its got a very thin layer of skin over it causing it to get cut very easily

OT:you really cant learn to take a punch just clentch your teeth and hit the other person harder and keep your hands up

(expierence 4 years of Muay thai)

Also seems that keeping your tongue away from your teeth is important in a fight (wish I didn't read that story, ouch).

Well ideally you could, you know, not get punched. In fact I can't think of any area on my body that I'd like to get punched at all. It's just that the area where your hairline starts is the toughest part of your skull, since that's where your head rounds off (it's kinda like the dome construction for you engineering types). When I had martial arts training I was taught you use that part of your head to headbutt someone.

That said though I wouldn't necessarily stick out your head to a guy who wants to punch you but rather, like, run away or something.

Yeah, I know. But this is with one of those theoretical "nightmare fights":
You're cornered, can't block this blow and it's going right for your face.
In the grand scheme of things, I suppose its better than having your jaw smashed, eye-socket broken or any other number of nasty things happen to you.

In theory it works because the top part of your forehead is very strong, but, (and this is a pretty big but) it's only practical against a punch to the face and it's not as easy as it seems. You have to time it right and be able to react, or else you might just get a jab in the eye or the nose. On the bright side, you can actually harm the hitter's wrist. Take this from one who's done this on more than one occation.

I don't plan on testing this out any time soon, but it's nice to just check stuff you've read with people who've actually got the experience.

Well, it beats being punched on the nose or in the jaw.

That was what the guide was going for... so I suppose from a lack-of-broken-bones point of view, taking it to the forehead is a successful manoeuvre.

 

[Shockolate]

Not ideal, but a good idea. You don't want to be hit in the jaw or side of the head. Block it with the strongest part.

I've heard that blocking with your elbows is a good way to break your opponents hand(s), but I've only got MMA to go on and no real experience.

 

[Xyphon]

Try throwing your head back a bit and turn your face the opposite way of the punch (I.E: The punch is coming for the left side of your face, so turn it right) when taking the punch. 'Tis what I did last time someone punched me. The lack of impact might confuse the dude and give you time to retaliate. >_>

 

[Booze Zombie]

In theory, a good idea. You don't want to be hit in the jaw or side of the head. Block it with the strongest part.

I've heard that blocking with your elbows is a good way to break your opponents hand(s), but I've only got MMA to go on and no real experience.

The part where everyone started yelling at the guy was where he said if he could, he'd block with his forehead and use his fists to attack the guy whilst he was busy.
He was saying how he likes to have "his weapons" (fists) free for fighting with, not all tangled up blocking.

Try throwing your head back a bit and turn your face the opposite way of the punch (I.E: The punch is coming for the left side of your face, so turn it right) when taking the punch. 'Tis what I did last time someone punched me. The lack of impact might confuse the dude and give you time to retaliate. >_>

I've heard that if you try to roll with a face-punch it can result in spinal injury, so you've got to be really careful.
You're also quite lucky, apparently, to not have been knocked off balance (I have no personal experience with fighting, I'm working from other people's knowledge here).

 

[Xyphon]

In theory, a good idea. You don't want to be hit in the jaw or side of the head. Block it with the strongest part.

I've heard that blocking with your elbows is a good way to break your opponents hand(s), but I've only got MMA to go on and no real experience.

The part where everyone started yelling at the guy was where he said if he could, he'd block with his forehead and use his fists to attack the guy whilst he was busy.
He was saying how he likes to have "his weapons" (fists) free for fighting with, not all tangled up blocking.

Try throwing your head back a bit and turn your face the opposite way of the punch (I.E: The punch is coming for the left side of your face, so turn it right) when taking the punch. 'Tis what I did last time someone punched me. The lack of impact might confuse the dude and give you time to retaliate. >_>

I've heard that if you try to roll with a face-punch it can result in spinal injury, so you've got to be really careful.
You're also quite lucky, apparently, to not have been knocked off balance (I have no personal experience with fighting, I'm working from other people's knowledge here).

Thanks to my father, I have pretty quick reflexes and can gauge the angle and impact pretty well so it's really no worry for me.

I haven't been punched in the face much, but I'm a big guy and not easy to knock off balance with a simple punch.

Another way I've blocked a punch is with my forehead, as others have said. If you're quick enough, you can step in and block the punch halfway, thus cutting the impact of it by half. A punch doesn't gain as much power until it's near fully extended.

 

[Booze Zombie]

Thanks to my father, I have pretty quick reflexes and can gauge the angle and impact pretty well so it's really no worry for me.

I haven't been punched in the face much, but I'm a big guy and not easy to knock off balance with a simple punch.

Another way I've blocked a punch is with my forehead, as others have said. If you're quick enough, you can step in and block the punch halfway, thus cutting the impact of it by half. A punch doesn't gain as much power until it's near fully extended.

Ah, that's the part from the guide; I was hoping that was not flim-flam as it made sense.

Bullets failing to penetrate the forehead is not unheard-of.

I most certainly keeping that in mind... I'll probably use a wall to catch most of the bullets in a real gun fight, though.

 

[Latinidiot]

Bullets failing to penetrate the forehead is not unheard-of.

I read somewhere that a guy was shot in th back of the head, and th bullet simply ricochet to the side. Imagin the sooters surprise when his would be victim stood up and socked him in the jaw.

 

[TAGM]

Well, if you take it to the head, there's a big skull in the way of the force and anything delicate, while if you take it to the belly, less so. Belly attacks will probably wind you, leaving you open for another attack. So, here's the thing - Tence up your belly if you're about to be hit in it. It'll hurt less, and you won't get as winded. Or just dodge, or block, or something. Even if a block takes up both arms, you still have legs, that can easily kick.

 

[zen5887]

I think I'd rather get punched in the forehead than anywhere else on the head.

But why let them get that far? Keep your hands up and move your head.