playfights
Friendly wrestling matches
Playfights is the plural of playfight—a mock battle or wrestling match that mimics fighting without intent to harm.
Children and young animals playfight to develop physical skills and social bonds.
Adults may playfight affectionately: The couple playfights over the remote control.
The line between playfighting and real aggression can blur quickly.
Combat sport requiring holds
- tusslingEngaging in rough struggle
- scufflingFighting in disorderly fashion
- grapplingClose-quarters combat technique
- tumblingAcrobatic rolling and flipping
pouncing · tackling · pinning · tickling · chasing · rolling · shoving · jostling
Leaping to attack
- nippingBiting lightly, sharply
- battingSwinging at pitches
- chasingFollowing to catch
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
biting · growling · yipping · tumbling · litter · pack · dominance · socialization
Costumed figures with powers
- cowboysRanch hands tending herds
- piratesMaritime thieves and raiders
- ninjasFeudal Japanese covert agents
- lightsabersRetractable energy blade weapons
make-believe · imaginary · dramatic · acting · staging · costumes · props · villains
Practice combat training
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- drillHole-boring device
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
martial-arts · boxing · judo · karate · capoeira · controlled · padded · protective
wrestling
Combat sport requiring holds
- tusslingEngaging in rough struggle
- scufflingFighting in disorderly fashion
- grapplingClose-quarters combat technique
tumbling · pouncing · tackling · pinning · tickling · chasing · rolling · shoving · jostling · horseplay
pouncing
Leaping to attack
stalking · biting · growling · yipping · tumbling · litter · pack · dominance · socialization · instinct
superheroes
Costumed figures with powers
- cowboysRanch hands tending herds
- piratesMaritime thieves and raiders
- ninjasFeudal Japanese covert agents
lightsabers · make-believe · imaginary · dramatic · acting · staging · costumes · props · villains · battles
sparring
Practice combat training
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- drillHole-boring device
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
technique · martial-arts · boxing · judo · karate · capoeira · controlled · padded · protective · coached
playfightsbrawls
Noisy, disorderly fights
assaults · street fights · mortal combat · assault · attacks