thumb|350px|A kickboxing match showing the typical kicking distance.
Stand-up fighting (sometimes referred to simply as "
stand-up") is
hand-to-hand combat which takes place while the combatants are in a standing position. The term is commonly used in
martial arts and
combat sports to designate the set of techniques employed from a standing position, as opposed to techniques employed in
ground fighting. Stand-up fighting that takes place while the combatants are
grappling each other is referred to as
clinch fighting, and has its separate article. Techniques used in stand-up fighting include various
strikes or
blocking techniques, either with parts of the body, or with
mêlée weapons. Essential aspects of stand-up fighting include
striking combinations, with the aim of striking to incapacitate or
injure the opponent.
Martial arts and
combat sports that emphasize stand-up fighting include
Boxing,
Escrima,
Jodo,
Karate,
Kendo,
Kickboxing,
Kung fu,
Muay Thai,
Savate,
fistfighting,
Silat and
Taekwondo.
Stand-up fighting distances
The nature of the stand-up fighting depends on whether the combatants are unarmed or use
mêlée weapons. Batons become less effective at short, especially
clinching range, where they cannot be swung properly. Knives on the other hand do not need as much thrusting space to generate damage. In stand-up fighting without
mêlée weapons it is possible to separate the distances between the combatants according to which
strikes can reach the opponent.
Comfort zone: 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 the combatant might carefully close in on the opponent to engage with
strikes. The "Comfort Zone" is between your waist and the bottom of your neck.
Kicking distance: The kicking distance is the most distant unarmed fighting position in which consistent contact can be made with the opponent. The combatants can use far-reaching quick kicks to the legs, body or head of the opponent. Martial arts such as
Taekwondo, emphasize the kicking distance in fighting.
Punching distance: The punching distance refers to the zone where
punches can be thrown, and this is the distance from the furthest
jab to the closest
hook, as long as no
grappling is taking place. In addition to punches, this distance often also allows for
elbows and
knees.
Boxing is a
combat sport which concerns itself with exclusively the punching distance. However many martial arts, particularly those which employ extreme close range fighting (for example
Wing Chun and
Southern Praying Mantis) train ranges within punch range, but do not necessarily employ clinching techniques. This collection of ranges is often called the in-fighting range .
Clinching zone: The clinching or trapping zone refers to the same distance as the punching distance, except that one or both combatants
grapple, and at the same time prevent the other from moving into a more distant contact zone or into the comfort zone by using a
clinch hold. This zone involves a multitude of both
striking and
grappling techniques, and is discussed in its own article
Clinch fighting.
See also
