Jack Reacher's Rules

“Fighting Reacher was like having a running chain saw thrown at you.”

>>IN A KNIFE FIGHT

Don’t get cut early. Nothing weakens you faster than blood loss.

Use your fist as well as the knife. People forget you have two hands.

It helps to be fighting for your life. And not just for fun.

A cut to the forehead can mean so much blood it blinds your opponent.

When someone hurts you, step in, not away.

Use whichever part of your body is the best weapon at the time.

Use your left foot if you want to mitigate the damage; calibration is an art.

“Your big soft heart, Reacher. One day it will get you killed.”

When facing an opponent with no obvious weak point, go for the eyes.

“A 7-pound metal club is good. But a 250-pound human club is better.”

Use the elbow to hit the skull; the skull is harder than the hand, the elbow gets less damaged.

When you’re fighting against brass knuckles, don’t get hit.

Aim for the side of the skull, which is softer and displaces the brain more.

Don’t aim for the middle of the body, which is easier to defend; aim high for the head or low for the knees.

If you’re swinging a weapon, get near and get near early.

If they glance up they’re going to use their fists; if they glance down they’re going to kick.

A headbutt changes the game. No one expects a headbutt.

It’s like bringing a sawed-off shotgun to a knife fight.

Basic rule of thumb with six guys: you have to be quick. You can’t hit a guy less than once.

“Hit them fast, hit them hard, and hit them a lot.”

THINGS YOU’LL NEVER HEAR REACHER SAY

I give up, it’s hopeless.

>>WAYS TO DISABLE YOUR OPPONENT

“Use a switchblade to slice the web of the guy’s thumb. Painful, and a real disincentive against holding pistols again until they healed, which could be a long time, depending on his approach to nutrition and antisepsis.”

The best way to break a finger: Wrench it sideways and snap the knuckle. Sideways is easier than bending it all the way back.

Catch a guy by the throat: Do it hard enough, and fast, and numb the guy’s voice box before he can get going with any sounds. Then dig your fingers in and tap him on the top of the head, enough to send some shock down through his neck bones.

The best way to choke someone: from behind, using the thumbs on the back of the neck, and folding up the fingers so the pressure is applied from the knuckles, not the fingers, otherwise you’ll get your fingers broken and your butt kicked.

“Cutting a throat doesn’t take much time. Given a decent blade and enough weight and force, it takes as long as it takes to move your hand eight inches. That’s all.”