How do you stop a Bum Rush (stop a person swinging in flurrys but moving forward)?

Question

I take TKD and BJJ, and i was wondering what you guys do when you're fighting/sparring someone who is fighting controlled, yet advancing on your position behind flurys of punches/kicks. I usually move laterally, but some people have the ability to turn on a dime. Obviously the take down is the best option, but if you wanted to keep it standing, what kick would stop the attacker "dead in his tracks". What could i use to put some distance between me and the guy. The push kick doesnt really work if the person is mad. The axe kick is a fifty fifty proposition. The back kick is risky. A flury of punches can work only if you have the reach. What do you guys think?

Answer 1

I don't take TKD and I don't know what BJJ is, but a natural response to somebody who is rushing you is to either back off or move laterally as you stated.  That is what they are expecting.  So, in Wing Chun, which is one art I've studied, the response is to move in close to force them to respond.  In other words, change the striking distance so that they have to change their tactic.  We also use Riposte in Wing Chun which means you block and strike with a single movement.

Obviously, you are taking a chance that they will hit you as you move in, so you need to move quickly and with control.  Somebody who is angry and striking quickly is likely out of control.  Counter by maintaining your composure and using a controlled approach in your response.  I hope this information is helpful.

Answer 2

Wait until the last second -- that moment when you either move or get hit. Step outside and forward with the inner arm forward and fully extended and your body at a 45-degree angle. Either make a fist and let him run into it, or open your hand and shift forward to halt him. From there, do what you will.

Another option is a leg obstruction. When he steps forward, heel kick into his shin. Do it in such a way as to obstruct the step and you'll buy yourself a couple seconds as he regains his balance.

Answer 3

Contrary to what one answerer said, moving backwards (straight back) is NEVER a good idea. If you find that you can't move straight to the side, try retreating at an angle. That'll never let you down.

Of course, it's possible to be hit initially while doing that, but what's important is that you won't absorb the entire flurry. It's physically impossible for him to catch up to you, if you retreat at an angle. Why? Because he has to make 2 moves, while you only make one. He has to turn, then advance. You only have to step back. If he can do those 2 things as fast as you can step back, he's inhuman.

This works especially well when you're both in the same stance. You'll most naturally retreat towards your rear, which will be to his outside. That will make his turn longer.

Sometimes you'll have to take several steps, sometimes only one. Just remember, do it at an angle.

As for a front kick or side kick, that is a good idea to interrupt with with it. If you find that you're falling backwards and unable to halt your opponent's momentum, you should try to improve your posture. People often lean back too much when they kick, which makes the blow weaker. Your momentum and weight will be sent in two different directions, rather than focused into the kick.

Try to remain perfectly upright while throwing your front or side kick, while keeping your hands up to guard your head. If your posture is right, at least, you'll stop him in his tracks long enough for you to fade back at an angle.

You should also try to hone your counter punching skills. Get good at interrupting your opponent's combinations or flurries with counter combinations of your own.

Sometimes people don't expect you to strike back until after they've finished their combo, so doing may put him on the defensive. If this is the case, his advance will stop, so you can disengage whenever you want. Or you can lay into him, now that you've stopped his attack.

If he's the type to bang it out with you, a skillfully executed counter combination will still do you some good. (Keep it short, though.) His most likely reaction would be to plant his feet, as he suspects that you're going to stand your ground. So when you disengage, he'll be left in the dust.

(I'd also like to emphasize the difference between a counter combination and electing to slug it out with him. A counter combo means striking back in combination with defensive/evasive manuevers like slipping and ducking -- not simply exchanging blows in retaliation.)

The easiest example of this would be stepping forward at an angle (to your left) to intercept him with two jabs. By moving off-line from his attack, you'll evade or minimize the damage done by his punches -- meanwhile countering with your own. Again, this will force him to react by going on the defensive or planting his feet. Act appropriately from there, and you've effectively nullified his bum rush.

Good luck.

Answer 4

the muay thai front kick (Teep) or the savate low kick to the knee (Chasse Bas).

Answer 5

Side kick or side/read kick to the body.  If they are throwing a flurry, their body will likely be open.  This will stop him, at least for a moment, and create some distance.  I've been on both ends of this in sparring and even a medium power kick will stop someone.  If someone walks into a full power side or rear kick it can crack a rib (I've seen it happen even through a chest protector).  

My other favorite in this situation is a straight right punch, right up the middle.  Often when guys are throwing a flurry they don't have good defense or head movement.  If you back away and bait them to keep pursuing you, they will often walk right into the straight right.   I used to spar with a guy who outweighed by 50 pounds, and he would just keep coming behind his punches.  He was so big he didn't care if I hit or kicked him to the body.  So I got good at circling out and timing the straight right.  It was medium contact sparring, so I didn't knock him out, but I rattled him enough times that he changed his tactics and became much more hesitant.

Answer 6

Duck ...go low and grab them at the legs or knees and drop them to the ground. After that your options are endless!!

Answer 7

you said you dont want to take him down. that dont leave much options.

my first thought would be just keep ducking and rolling till he gets tire (if time is available)

flying knee is a longshot.   you should try throwing in a few fakes even if your out of punching range.  It could have a profound affect.

if you dont have a horrible reach i would opt for the simple Jab.

Answer 8

spinning sweep kick

Answer 9

When he's about arm's length from you, shuffle step and roundhouse to the gut. That'd stop him dead in his tracks. The momentum he's built plus the force of your attack would be a real stunner and wouldn't seriously injure him. Additionally, if he's able to pivot like you suggest, he'll still have to deal with the attack, and the angle you've got left is adaptable to any number of techniques. You could counterweight and bring down an inward ridge hand, hammer fist, drop an elbow, or leap off the grounded leg and bring it down with a twist as well.

Where you go from there is up to you.

Answer 10

Angle away and throw stiff a side kick to the hip or the outside of his leg.

Answer 11

stslavik has it on the dot...

Answer 12

I just go as low as possible, weight on front leg, and as he comes in, weight on back leg. Now with your leg still out, and aaall weight on your back leg, and shoulders pushed down and not rising, move your body up realy fast outstretched leg included.

Answer 13

Timing is everything on this one.

The best kick to use would be a front kick, or a teep. Another good kick would be a leg kick using your shin.

Keep your guard up. Using lateral movement is a great idea. If you face an opponent who can turn on a dime, remember this....

When he is turning, that is a second where he can't flurry against you. Right when he turns, time an overhand right (which should be hard for him to see, because of the angle of the punch, plus he is turning). If you can connect with that, he'll be dazed. Or, drive a hard front kick to his gut, (If you weren't in TKD, I would suggest a hard leg kick to take the spring out of his step)

Your jab is a really good tool to either stop him or gauge distance. Try using feignts to see if how he will react, maybe it'll slow him down, or it'll give you an advance notice of where you can strike him next.

Kiai, don't use it too often. But, if he rushes you, and you kiai really loud, that might give you a split second where he freezes up.

Stay in the pocket. Protect yourself, when it is your turn to counter, fire in bunches, and then move.

If you are in trouble, remember, you can always clinch.

Good luck.