One of the unique strategies that experienced cockfighters master is understanding the fighting styles & techniques of gamecocks and analyzing their styles. Being able to predict these strategies not only helps in gaining valuable insights into a gamecock’s next moves but also heightens the excitement of cockfighting matches.
Let’s explore this fascinating topic with JiliAce, a platform specializing in online cockfighting.
What Defines Exceptional Fighting Techniques in Gamecocks?

A powerful strike in cockfighting leaves a lasting impression of a gamecock’s prowess. It’s important to understand that no matter the breed, gamecocks never fight using just one leg. Instead, they jump and strike with both legs. This action leverages the combined strength of their legs, wings, and tail, creating the most forceful energy possible.
Common Fighting Styles
- Feather Grabbing: This style requires a sharp, agile beak to grip a secure spot as a point of leverage, allowing the gamecock to deliver spur strikes, targeting the opponent’s feathers continuously.
- Flying Strike: In this technique, the gamecock jumps up to attack and thrusts with its spurs right at the start of the encounter.
- Shoulder Strikes: The gamecock uses its beak to peck at the opponent’s shoulder, followed by kicking straight at the opponent’s face.
- Sideways Strike: Here, the gamecock delivers a straight peck to the enemy’s head, positions itself sideways, and kicks at the opponent’s neck or face.
- Chest Feather Attack: When an opportunity arises, the gamecock ducks under the opponent’s belly, clamps onto its chest feathers with its beak, and thrusts upward.
- Mounted Strike: In this technique, the gamecock uses its spurs to strike directly onto the opponent’s back for maximum effectiveness.
=> Read more: Bantam Cockfighting Spurs – Secrets to Achieving Victory
Water and Piercing Techniques
- Jump Strike: This fighting style resembles a duel of spurs. Both gamecocks leap and kick at each other simultaneously.
- Water Standing: This technique demonstrates the gamecock’s endurance and ability to stand firmly while counterattacking.
- Crab Burrow Thrust: In this technique, the gamecock uses its spurs to target the underside of the opponent’s neck. If executed accurately, the spurs can penetrate deeply, causing fatal injuries.
- Thrust to the Neck’s Base: When the spurs strike the cervical vertebrae at the base of the opponent’s neck, it can cause immediate dislocation, leaving the opponent incapacitated.
Fighting Styles of Different Gamecock Breeds
Primary Fighting Techniques
Knee-Biting Gamecocks
This rare fighting style, nearly extinct, involves the rooster tucking its head under the opponent’s body and relentlessly biting the opponent’s knees. By doing so, it disrupts the opponent’s balance and causes significant discomfort. To counter this style, a rooster with a “backwards-slap” or an unpredictable fighting technique is most effective. Such roosters strike at random targets, keeping the knee-biter at bay.
Body-Pounding Gamecocks

This style involves powerful strikes targeting the opponent’s body. Roosters using this technique must be robust and sturdy to deliver impactful blows. They often push opponents away with swift leg strikes, preventing close-range attacks. A rooster adept at body-pounding should target critical areas such as the opponent’s underarms, back, or flanks for maximum effectiveness.
Lift-and-Drop Gamecocks
A versatile and widely used fighting style, this involves both upward and downward strikes. The “lift” technique enables the rooster to control and press its opponent, landing side or shoulder strikes. The “drop” allows for precise hits to sensitive areas like the neck or back. Success with this style largely depends on the rooster’s ability to exploit the opponent’s vulnerabilities.
Run-and-Slap Gamecocks
This style is both entertaining and deceptive. The rooster initially avoids engagement, running to lure the opponent into a chase. Then, it abruptly turns around to deliver rapid strikes to the opponent’s head, neck, or face. These swift and unpredictable attacks often leave opponents disoriented, with injuries to sensitive areas like the eyes or beak.
Backwards-Slap or Drag-and-Slap Gamecocks
A variation of the straight-strike style, this involves strategic retreats followed by powerful, targeted blows. Roosters using this method aim at their opponent’s neck, shoulders, and head with rapid, precise strikes. This rare fighting style requires luring the opponent into a vulnerable position before delivering decisive attacks.

Side-Striking Gamecocks
This style has two variations: “Bright-Side Striking” and “Dark-Side Striking”.
- Bright-Side Striking: The rooster strikes from below or to the side, targeting the opponent’s shoulders or back.
- Dark-Side Striking: The rooster hides under the opponent’s wings, delivering strikes to the back or flanks. Both techniques exploit sensitive areas like the lungs, where injuries are often irreparable.
Back-Blow Gamecocks
This style involves targeting the opponent’s back with upward strikes. Some roosters achieve this by exploiting their opponent’s movements, while others dive under their adversary to attack from below. This method is highly effective when combined with a quick grasp of the opponent’s neck.
Head-Hunter Gamecocks
Known for their aggressive and decisive nature, these roosters aim for the opponent’s face and eyes. They use sharp, calculated strikes, often with spurs targeting sensitive areas like the ears, leaving opponents incapacitated within minutes.
Bull-Charging Gamecocks
This style focuses on pinning down the opponent’s wings and striking their flanks repeatedly. The rooster uses its spurs to lock its opponent in place, forcing its head forward while delivering relentless blows to vulnerable areas. If left unchecked, this fighting style can lead to a devastating defeat for the pinned rooster.
=> Read more: How to Handle Fighting Roosters: A Guide You Should Know
Unique Fighting Styles
- Multi-Strike Combos: A rapid series of kicks targeting multiple areas.
- Reverse Attack: Turning the opponent’s momentum against them for a counterattack.
- Single-Legged Strike: Precise, powerful blows with one leg.
- Blood-Piercing Strikes: Targeting vital points to cause maximum damage.
Tips for Countering Gamecock Styles
Countering Basic Techniques
Before entering a match, ensure your gamecock is healthy, agile, and trained in technical moves. Losing momentum early can lead to a loss of strategy and eventually the match. Here are a few effective counters:
- Roosters skilled in straight-line strikes or neck attacks are best countered by roosters adept at flanking strikes.
- Flanking strikes can be neutralized by those with strong pressing and grappling techniques.
- Grappling styles are countered by body-pounding gamecocks.
=> Read more: Hatch Bantam Roosters: The Modern High-Speed Fighting Breed
Countering Advanced Techniques

Bull-Charging Style
This aggressive style pins opponents down while striking their flanks. To counter, choose a resilient, quick, and fearless rooster that can withstand early strikes and retaliate effectively.
Knee-Biting Style
Among the most annoying styles, the rooster targets the opponent’s knees, leaving them unable to counterattack effectively. Opponents often sustain severe knee injuries, leading to eventual surrender. To counter this style, use a gamecock skilled in “backwards-slapping” or unpredictable strikes. Without such a counter, the knee-biter will likely dominate the match.
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Summary
Above are the fighting styles of gamecocks provided by JiliAce, which trainers should take note of to prepare their roosters for memorable matches that leave a lasting impression. By thoroughly understanding these primary fighting techniques, trainers can effectively train their roosters to compete against any opponent.