[JLV]

My understanding of the HTH rules was always that it meant the two opponents have gone to the ground with one another and are rolling around hitting and stabbing at one another on the ground. Everything related to HTH in TFT agrees with that interpretation.

Of note, every martial art I've studied has taught techniques for both standing fisticuffs (which includes kicking) AND techniques for going to the ground with your opponent (kumi uchi leg presses, anyone?)

So to my mind, Unarmed combat involves two opponents engaged in your classic martial arts or boxing (which IS a martial art) fighting, while HTH involves getting down and dirty on the ground trying to eye-gouge, bite ears, and generally commit personal mayhem while rolling around in the dirt.