How To Write a Fist Fight Scene

Ok, so I will simply say, this is the kind of scene that is going to show EXACTLY how your character(s) act under the influence of desperation/failure/success/etc.. This means, as I will always tell you, KNOW YOUR CHARACTER(S)!!!!

Now that that’s settled, we can move on…

SO, one thing you should know is that fist fights don’t start too quickly when its guys fighting. The first part of these kinds of fights goes with intimidation (mockery/provoking is usually leading up to this, especially with bullying. This means KNOW WHO IS IN THE FIGHT), then it goes onto pushing/shoving, then onto the actual throws.

Ok, let’s review that…

Guy Fight Scene Stages:

1. (optional) Mockery/Provoking (Bullying, in a sense)
2. Intimidation (The weird chest puff out thing/Chin higher than their jawline/trying to be taller)
3. Shoving/Pushing
4. Fists are finally involved

Like I’ve said, this is just a typical guy fight. How someone fights really depends on their personality, but this is the, in the term ‘masculine’ way of fighting that I’ve observed. An Example of this would be: Shy personalities will typically not fight and will try and peace-make here, which will probably boost the other one’s ego.

Generally, the type of fights I’ve described above can be stopped easily. How? Simple, the breaking of eye contact (someone backs down or someone gets in the way).

Now, onto, what I suppose I’ll call, girl/feminine/catfights. If you haven’t seen one, I recommend looking one up. Those things are freaking brutal. In these fights, it’s going straight for the neck. Heck, I don’t even think half of the time there’s even any intimidation, they just start clawing and tackling each other.

(NOTE: These kinds of fighters are typically emotional fighters. This means they rush into the fight mostly due to anger or fear, so like I’ve said… KNOW YOUR CHARACTERS)

Factors in Girl Fights:

• They go straight for the kill, most of the time without any prior steps leading up to it.
• Any hit they can land, with whatever limb, they will aim for
• Clawing/scratching
• Biting
• Tackling
• These fights are usually pretty sloppy, but they’re brutal. period.

Still following? good.
(NOTE: Masculine fights are typically started by an offense to their pride. Feminine fights are usually started by wrath/envy. KNOW YOUR CHARACTER SO YOU KNOW THEIR OFFENCE or EMOTION. IT HELPS, I SWEAR.)

Now there are a few factors I would like to go over when it comes to fights, especially when it comes to a character’s first fist fight. Some of these can also be applied to weapon fighting, so keep that in mind as we go along.

Factors That Should be Remembered When Writing Your Character’s First Fight:

1. Sloppy:Your Character isn’t going to AMAZING their first fight. They will throw crappy, sloppy punches and it’s all going to be confusing for them.
   (NOTE: this, however, doesn’t mean they can’t get at least ONE good hit or two in)
   
   
2. Slow:
   As stated, they aren’t going to be amazing, and more than likely, they’re going to be slow with their offense and defense, due to lack of practice in fights.
   This also means they’re going to be slow mentally. What does this mean for the fight? 
   ~Terrible Dodging
   ~Not Seeing Some of The Throws The Other Person is Throwing
   ~Probably Not Even Throwing Hits Themselves
   (NOTE: they’re going to have intense fear and anxiety throughout the fight, and that WOULD help them if it wasn’t for their confusion. Confusion=slow)
   
   
   
   
3. Adrenaline:
   They are going to have a LOT of this, I guarantee. This is what’s going to typically make them confused yet ‘sparky’. This means they’re typically going to be breathing excessively heavy and uneven, sweating a lot, and sometimes this will affect their vision.
   (NOTE: this will typically affect their memory as well, generally making them only focus on the fight and NOT ON WHY THEY GOT INTO THE FIGHT)

Hope this was helpful! :3

~Rey Brooks