I specifically contend that the "breaking the arm" bit is nonsense. In the videos you saw, I would wager pretty much anything that the attacker who ended up disarmed did not have a broken arm at the end. Maybe a busted up face, maybe some broken ribs if there was a lot of slamming around involved.
You may be right, that it's the way it's worded- makes it sound like the attacker will passively stand there while you're gradually twisting his arm to the point of a break. All of the knife attacks I've seen were ferocious, fast blitzes. Most stabbing victims don't even realize they've been stabbed until they feel the warm wetness- terrifying thought, isn't it?
I suppose my issue is more with people who make self-defense situations sound like "Just poke him in the eyes/kick him in the balls/break his arm, no problem!" This is silly. How many serial killers/rapists are missing eyes? You think their victims weren't desperately trying to gouge their eyes out as they're being manually strangled? Or they try to grab and squeeze his balls mid-rape? That'd probably just lead to the attacker getting pissed off and punching the shit out of the victim before continuing the assault. There is no "Just do this and it's over" technique- there are so many variables in fighting, that you must be versatile and have a variety of tools.
Yeah i concur. I think we're on the same page. I just kinda didn't read into the 'twisting - breaking the arm' as single one off nonsense that is proliferate on all those hammy self defense tutorials but like i said i took it to mean (in the context of his post) an actual fight (to the death) over the arm and knife and hey if you some how manage to break the guys arm in the ensuing melee. Kudos ...
All right - actually, twisting of any limb is a very viable and proven fighting technique, taught not only in the martial arts, but also wrestling and police academies, militaries, etc.
It's a lot easier to do without boxing gloves on.
While bones are strong, they tend to only be strong in certain directions. Muscles too. Also, the bones are connected by connective tissues which are not nearly as strong, and are in fact very easily torn. This is especially true of wrists, elbows, and shoulder joints. The limbs of the body are designed to move in very specific directions. They are strong only in highly limited ways.
I bid you right now, just hold out your right arm, now rotate it to the right until it stops, then rotate it back to the left until it stops. That is your limit right there. 20% past that will rip tendons and muscle, tear ligaments and cartilage, and shatter bones. In fact, I can move your entire body pretty much wherever I like if I have your arm already twisted. The pain from having your arm torn up like that often leads to a loss of consciousness. It will render your arm just as useless as that guy who was shot in the arm by Kyle.
In other words, if I get a hold of your arm, you are entirely fucked. I don't really need anything else after that. You'll be screaming in pain if you can even remain awake.
This is basic ass martial arts. It works perfectly well both inside and outside of the dojo.
Remember, cops twist people's arms behind their backs when arresting them, frequently breaking arms in the process.
(post is archived)