Stand-up fighting

Stand-up fighting distances

The nature of stand-up fighting depends on whether the combatants are unarmed or use melee weapons. Batons become less effective at short, especially clinching range, where they cannot be swung properly, while knives do not need as much thrusting space to generate damage. In unarmed stand-up fighting, distances between combatants can be separated according to which strikes can reach the opponent. The comfort zone is a non-combat distance from which it is not possible to kick the opponent without closing the distance considerably; from this zone a combatant might carefully close in to engage with strikes. Kicking distance is the most distant unarmed fighting position where consistent contact can be made, allowing far-reaching quick kicks to the legs, body, or head; martial arts such as Taekwondo emphasize this distance. Punching distance is the zone where punches can be thrown, from the furthest jab to the closest hook, as long as no grappling is taking place; this distance often also allows for elbows and knees, though using them requires closing to clinching distance. Boxing concerns itself exclusively with the punching distance, while many martial arts that employ extreme close range fighting, such as Wing Chun and Southern Praying Mantis, train ranges within punch range without necessarily employing clinching techniques, a collection often called the in-fighting range. In rules allowing both stand-up and ground fighting, such as those of mixed martial arts, takedowns can be launched from this distance, generally referred to as a shoot. The clinching or trapping zone refers to the same distance as the punching distance, except that one or both combatants grapple while preventing the other from moving into a more distant contact zone or the comfort zone by using a clinch hold; this zone involves a multitude of both striking and grappling techniques.