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Small-Scale Question Sunday for September 6, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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It’s no so much that such “dangerous techniques don’t exist or could not in theory be pulled off. But if your “training” for a finger snap is never actually done full speed against an actual resisting opponent, you will not snap the fingers. And worse, you’ll probably end up doing something stupid in the attempt that puts you in danger or prevents your escape. Worse yet, the mistaken belief that I know how to defend myself means im much more likely to get into danger either through complacency (not leaving a bad situation quickly enough), or poor awareness (not noticing the danger until they’re ready to attack) or going to places that are known to be dangerous (bars in inner cities at 3am).

In your case, the wicked right hook is probably your best bet bet because you’ve spent the time and energy learning how to tag someone full force while they are actively working to prevent that. You are very likely to be able to right hook someone in an unorthodox place on their body, but that’s not a different technique, it’s a different application of a technique you’ve trained for hours a week.

But if your “training” for a finger snap is never actually done full speed against an actual resisting opponent, you will not snap the fingers.

I don't think you're wrong about the general principle, but I'm not sure about the specific example: I kinda refuse to believe that it's hard to actually break a finger. However it's not necessarily a move that you will have much chance to employ unless someone puts their hands on you in a convenient way.

To extend the idea of what I am talking about a bit further - you cannot train in full speed against an actual resisting opponent to shoot them. But given the option, you generally you should shoot them instead of punching them, even if you have more realistic training experience punching people.

To your point here:

You are very likely to be able to right hook someone in an unorthodox place on their body, but that’s not a different technique, it’s a different application of a technique you’ve trained for hours a week.

I very much agree (and that's how training to shoot works, too).

Paintball is exactly an opponent resisting being shot fwiw

I've done airsoft and greatly enjoyed it. Wish I could find a paintball or airsoft place close by.