My first fight since learning martial arts, should i feel bad??

Question

ive been learning Wing Chun for about 1 year now, and i got into my first fight since then yesterday. it was with this horrible guy in my area(sort of the local bully) who called my freind some racist names. He challenged my mate, but he didnt want to get into any trouble, so i got into the fight with him instead. i won obviously, and it was very exciting if im honest. but shouyld i feel bad about the fact i humilliated him infront of like 12 of his freinds, and the fact that i ermm... well, i kinda broke his nose :S...

Answer 1

You did good. At first i thought you were gonna brag but you did right. You might have to worry about his friends, though. They might come looking for you in a group now. It happens so be sure your in a controlled environment and don't go near places you know that they hang out, it can get ugly. You did Wing Chun for a year, I did it for a month and a half, i like it xD where do you train at?

Answer 2

Violence should never be the answer, but since the event seemed inevitable, you did the right thing in standing up for your friend. The strong protect the weak. But just because you have had professional training doesn't mean you should make a habit of breaking bullies' noses =). Yes, you should feel some remorse, because you DID break the guy's nose, but your heart was in the right place. Good job standing up for what you believe in.

Answer 3

Never start a fight; always finish one.

Be prepared to accept the consequences - resolve for this is formed before battle, not afterwards. If you're unable to accept before hand the consequences that may come, you have no business fighting.

You defended your friend and yourself when he charged you, however, I'd skip the "leave or you're going to get hurt" part next time. Not a good thing for a martial artist to say - you should have better control than that. Threats are just hollow words. Someone who knows their skill finds little need to verbally attack someone - especially when it's not necessary or just to pump yourself up.

Answer 4

That's bully for you, they choose their victims. That time, you shown him that he made a mistake on picking the wrong people. When you stand up to bullies, they will respect you for it.

That is why we all have to train hard in case when we need the skills to defend ourselves.

Mind your own, business, but if someone want to pick a fight, give it to them. That  is the way to put the skills you have been training on the real battlefield to test it, to gain experience, to see what works and what's not. Training along will not give you that edge of real combat. Only real combat will tell you how you handle things under pressure. Real combat will reveal your strength and weakness.

Sometimes, we may have to defend someone other than ourselves. But be careful, some people are very vindictive.

It is best not to fight people you know or in your neighbourhood, unless absolutely necessary.

Don't feel bad for him. It is possible that you have done him a favor by teaching him that lession.

Answer 5

#1  Could this have been resolved without violence?  (Why did the 2 of you not simply leave?)

#2  Do words cause harm or possible fatalities?  (Anytime things escalate to physical violence, severe injury or worse is a real possibility)

#3  Are you now at risk of potential retaliation?  (Physical or legal)

#4  Do 2 wrongs make a right?  (while 3 lefts do make a right, sometimes it is unwise to fight fire with fire)

#5  Have you informed your instructor of this altercation?  

#6  Have you apologized to the individual that you physically, mentally and emotionally injured?  (Yes, he started it.  Yes, you warned him.  You still caused harm.  You do not apologize for his benefit, you do so for your own and perhaps from this he may learn as well.)

Having the power to harm another carries with it the responsibility of knowing when it is necessary to do so and when it is not.

P.S.

If anyone disagrees with the points that I am making, at least show enough self-respect to intelligently argue the counter-points.

Answer 6

well, did you give the bully a chance to walk away if you did then don't feel bad for protecting your friend.

Answer 7

dont feel bad. he sounds like he deserves it!

Answer 8

1st

It wasn't self defense the 1st thing a prosecuter will ask is "what did you do to avoid it" telling him to leave or he would be in trouble can be seen as a threat made by you.

2nd

The proper way is to say "my friend and I are leaving so we don't have to listen to your c**p"If he attempts to stop you from leaving you have a legal right to defend yourself.

Aside from the legal issues you shouldn't feel bad and count yourself lucky his 12 "freinds " didn't jump you and probably didn't because they wanted to see the "tough" guy get an *** kicking which from what you say he was sorely in need of.

Answer 9

No Way!!!

I'm not sure about you but where I'm from bullying is illegal and racism is just not on. From what you said it sounded like he deserved it.

I do kickboxing and I would definately use it to help me if I got into a fight. I mean, I don't want to get beaten up.

I don't know the whole situation but if you were standing up for someone else I'd be fine with it.

p.s. Oh and If you get sued or charged or something you can use "Self-defence" as an excuse. Self-defence covers protecting others from harm as well.

p.p.s You may feel a little guilty, so would I, but I think the feeling good bit was worth it.

Answer 10

Jake and Matthew make some good points.

Jake stated that an act of self-defense is protecting oneself or others.  This is true.  Think about it: If someone was to point a gun at your friend and you attack the attacker this is a form of self-defense.

Self Defense Law: Use of force is justified when a person reasonably believes that it is necessary for the defense of oneself or another against the immediate use of unlawful force. However, a person must use no more force than appears reasonably necessary in the circumstances.

However Matthew states "Could the fight be avoided?"  While it probably could, chances are highly unlikely.  Just don’t make it a habit, you’ll get a bad reputation, both amongst the law and your neighborhood.  Back before I got into martial arts, I engaged in fights almost daily.  Everyone wanted a piece of me.  But ever since I got into martial arts, I’ve learned how to stop a fight before it happens.