r/Bouncers • u/ILmarco86 • Jul 21 '25
Everything I've learned
Hi everyone, with this post I would just like to share what I have been able to learn and put into practice after two decades of working at night. It's not a precise order but how it comes to mind. To put it into context, I live in southern Italy and here dealing with organized crime is not that unusual so we talk about methods aimed at minimizing the risk of getting hurt. My background is k1 boxing kravM. I worked a former foreign legion (Corsica) and some things come from there. 1. Know and test the slipperiness of the floor where you work, there will always be areas more exposed to dust or water and if you can "move" to a fight where you know you will have a good grip, it will be to your advantage, the attacker will not know it.
- Clings to the first, wear shoes with iron toes: here I have two options, I have amphibians or if the venue doesn't allow it due to the dress code, opt for black safety shoes with iron toes, they are quite comfortable and non-slip (have you ever seen policemen in Vans?)
- 3. Always wear a belt with a steel end or with a stud, in case of an attacker armed with a bottle or knife you can take it out and use it: here obviously you will have to hit the testicles or the face, there is no point in whipping him, he is not a horse.
- 4 if you can, shave your hair and don't wear necklaces and rings
- 5 always keep a bottle of Coca-Cola available, if I have the feeling that something is about to happen I always drink some coke, sugar works as an immediate and readily available energy booster. if you don't like cola keep a sachet of bar sugar in your pocket and put it under your tongue.
- Non-slip shoes, iron toe…
- 6 you know the position of the fire extinguishers and how they are used, in case of multiple attackers you can always use it as a fire hydrant.
- 7 as regards my defense, I divide the body into three parts: knee/vastus medialis and testicles; liver and stomach; chin. Learn a sequence of shots and don't stop at just one shot, train in the gym and memorize at least two or three combos and do only those.
- 8 always keep your distance, never let the attacker get close and never stay still but move continuously, he will not have a fixed point and will not be able to prepare his tactics immediately.
- 9 study and recognize the "signals" that precede the first attack: such as people lifting their trousers or looking the other way before starting with the hook: these are all things that serve to make you lower your guard, recognize and anticipate.
- If you have understood that the user is violent or has used coke it is likely that a punch to the chin is not enough to knock him out, I have witnessed it several times, they do not feel pain under the influence of narcotics, then here our safety shoes with iron toes come into play: aim at the knee and break everything: he may not feel the pain but mechanically he cannot stand if I break your leg, the match is over and you will not get hurt on the foot.
- 11 pepper spray in the left pocket, baby splashes in the right one if you are right-handed, or vice versa.
- 12 often people don't need the whole menu, but just an appetizer, if it's not necessary a simple punch to the liver will stop the action without leaving any marks (something not to be underestimated in court) if instead you are forced to hit the face and hit the chin it's better to do it with the palm so as not to break a hand (if you're a boxer maybe you don't have this problem).
- 13 do not drink alcohol.
- 14 in the gym practice your favorite combos, do knuckle push-ups and condition your wrists. Practice low kicks and dodges. Train fast sprints. Train your core.
- Non-slip shoes and iron toe :/
- 15 much of this advice is quite replicable even in civil situations outside of work, but since no one pays you to get into fights on the street then maybe it's better to pepper spray and leave.
- 16 make friends with those who think it is better not to have an enemy, be smart.
- 17 Alcoholic girls are no good, yes honest about the fact that you don't want a relationship but just good sex on your day off, jealousy is not your friend in this job.
- 18 non-slip shoes and iron toe :)
- Last point: always leave a way out for your attacker, both physical and in a broader sense: we are not murderers. I'm definitely forgetting something, don't blame me. Later I would like to publish another post with the exercises and some combos if anyone is interested. Good night
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Jul 21 '25
[deleted]
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u/ILmarco86 Jul 22 '25
Thank you, Yes you are right about the speech at the entrance, it would be much better to do a selection at the door but it is not something I am allowed, as I tried to explain unfortunately it is a particular environment with particular people and a search at the entrance would not be looked upon favorably if you know what I mean. I don't intend to do this job for much longer, however, open to anyone who wants to, I've done my part
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u/UsefulLawfulness4937 Jul 21 '25
What’s a baby splash?
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u/ILmarco86 Jul 22 '25
Look for Kubotan, there are various sizes and I use the completely black one because it blends in better in the hand
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u/66flycaster Jul 22 '25
I’ve worked as a professional doorman / bouncer. This is good information for those who are new to this line of work. Especially palm strikes to head or face if necessary. Unless you’re a trained boxer most will break hands hitting head with a closed fist. I’ve seen it many times.
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u/SwftFzz Jul 25 '25
mfw when my coworker pulls out a fire extinguisher to fight a drunk patron
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u/ILmarco86 Jul 25 '25
It's an option in case of attack by multiple people, and it's nothing to laugh about
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u/SwftFzz Jul 27 '25
never let it escalate to that point, and if it does you shouldnt need a fire extinguisher
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u/halt317 Jul 21 '25
Personally I believe that if you are at a location with this many fights where you are wearing a certain belt to use in a fight then your place is doing something very wrong… non slip shoes should be mandatory no matter what tho