It's Never Okay to Fight
Getting into a fight can leave you hurt, injured, facing jail time, or even killed. It's never a good idea to get into a physical altercation with someone. Here are some tips for dealing with angry people and avoiding physical altercations.
If You Can Get Away, Do So
This one may seem obvious, but if you find yourself in a situation where you think there may be a fight, try and leave. Use the 'Nike defense' and run away, get home or to a safe place. There's absolutely no reason to hang around and risk a fight if you have an opportunity to get away.
If You Can't Get Away, Try to De-Escalate
If it's too late to run, do your best to keep things from getting physical. Don't get angry or assume a fight stance, instead try and bring the energy level down with some de-escalation tactics.
Stay Calm and Apologize
An angry person will want you to get angry as well, this will escalate the conflict and make the fight more likely. Don't give them an excuse. Stay calm and be apologetic, even if they are in the wrong. Saying "I'm sorry." can get you out of trouble or at the very least show witnesses that you are not the aggressor.
Keep A Distance
If at all possible, don't let an aggressor within two feet of you. It is much harder to anticipate and defend yourself from an attack if the assailant is right in your face.
Keep Your Eyes on Your Aggressor's Chest
If you think someone might be on the verge of physically attacking you, make sure to keep the focus of your eyes on their chest, just below the throat. Don't look at their eyes, because the eyes can play tricks. Focusing on the chest gives you the ability to see a potential attack from all four of your aggressor's limbs, and also provides you with some peripheral vision to spot other dangers.
Don't Tell Someone to Calm Down
It may seem natural to tell an agitated aggressor to 'calm down' or, 'take it easy'; don't use this kind of language, it will only make the person more angry. When you give someone a command like 'calm down' they will likely do the opposite. When trying to defuse the situation, use language that includes both of you, such as 'let's take it easy' or 'let's not fight.'
Keep Your Hands Up But do NOT Make Fists
If you have your hands down or in your pockets, you will not be able to defend yourself. If you have your hands up in fists, this indicates to the attacker that the fight is on, and witnesses may also say you were the one starting the fight. Keep your hands up by your face in a palms-out non-threatening pose. Your hands will be up and ready should you need to defend yourself, but you will not be instigating the fight.
Be LOUD
Don't get angry, but use a loud tone of voice to let everyone nearby know that you are feeling threatened. Loudly saying things like 'I don't want to fight!', 'Leave me alone!' or 'Don't hit me!' will let witnesses know that you are feeling threatened and don't want to fight. This will also make an aggressor think twice about their decision to attack.
Assume Everyone Has Buddies
If there are other people around, assume that some of them are your aggressor's friends and always be prepared to deal with multiple attackers. This is another reason why getting into a fight is a really bad idea in the first place, what starts as a one-on-one conflict could escalate into five guys playing soccer with your head.
Assume Everyone Is Armed
Some people carry knives, some people carry guns, and until you know otherwise, assume that your aggressor will be carrying a weapon. Look out for hands reaching into pockets.
Don't Turn Your Back
Getting away is the best defense, but don't turn your back on your aggressor unless you feel you have plenty of room to get away, or the situation is completely diffused.
If You Are Attacked, Fight Back
If none of this stuff works and someone is trying to physically assault you, you need to fight back. Punches are the most likely first attacks, your hands should already be raised as we previously discussed; use your hands to parry and deflect your attacker's strike. Try to counter with a quick, firm kick to the groin, then try to get away. Get familiar your state's self-defense laws so that you know your rights if you are attacked. If you manage to knock your assailant down, use this as an opportunity to run away, DO NOT kick them or hit them while they are down.
Don't Stop Fighting
If you're being attacked, do not stop fighting back, even if you are out-sized or out-matched.Many people in this situation assume a 'victim's pose' and put their hands in front of their face or go limp in hopes that their attacker will stop harming them. This is an invitation for serious injury or death, keep fighting back until you feel it is safe to get away.
Don't Stick Around
After a physical encounter, don't hang around during the aftermath. Get out as quick as you can and go home or to a place where you feel safe. You never know when an attacker is going to come after you again or call in his friends to come find you. You can contact the police when you reach a place where you feel it is safe to do so.
