Hand-to-hand combat (sometimes abbreviated as
HTH or
H2H) is a lethal or non-lethal physical confrontation between two or more persons at very short range (grappling distance) that does not involve the use of
firearms or other distance
weapons. While the phrase "hand-to-hand" appears to refer to
unarmed combat, the term is generic and may include use of striking weapons used at grappling distance such as
knives,
sticks,
batons, or
improvised weapons such as
entrenching tools. While the term hand-to-hand combat originally referred principally to engagements by
combatants on the
battlefield, it can also refer to any personal physical engagement by two or more people, including
law enforcement officers,
civilians, and
criminals.