How to dodge in GTA 5: Xbox, PlayStation & PC button

Aakrit Sharma
GTA 5 characters in fist fight

Learning how to dodge punches in GTA 5 is a must if you like fighting fair and square. So here’s the button you need to press to dodge punches when fighting on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.

GTA 5 is loaded with tons of explosive weapons, ranging from the unusual Up-n-atomizer to the classic Heavy Sniper rifle. However, many in the community prefer fist fighting over flashy combat through arms.

The GTA franchise has always incorporated melee fist fighting and its most refined version can be seen in GTA 5, allowing you to dodge punches to avoid damage. Figuring out the controls to do this can be confusing though, so here’s the button you need to press to dodge punches in GTA 5 on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.

Inmates during a fist fight in GTA 5
You can install mods to further improve fist-fighting mechanics in GTA 5.

How to dodge punches when fighting in GTA 5

You can dodge punches in GTA 5 by pressing the following buttons on your device:

  • PlayStation consoles (PS3, PS4, and PS5) – Square button
  • Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Xbox Series X/S) – X button
  • PC – Space Bar

It is important to note that you can dodge punches in GTA 5 only when you’ve locked on to the desired target. The buttons to lock on targets during melee fights are:

  • PlayStation consoles (PS3,PS4, and PS5) – L2
  • Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Xbox Series X/S) – LT
  • PC – Right mouse button

So, the next time you get into a melee fight, make sure to first target/lock on to your enemy and then dodge their punches. The game has full-fledged animations for punching, so you should be able to predict an incoming punch fairly easily.

As soon as you dodge a punch, make sure to press the attack button to land the perfect counter punches and this is arguably the most reliable technique to win every street fight you’re a part of.

For more GTA content, check out:

How to get GTA Online’s Service Carbine | How to cancel a mission in GTA Online | GTA 5 cast: Full list of voice actors | How to get the Ruiner ZZ-8 for free in GTA Online | How to increase your strength stat easily in GTA Online | All GTA Online Treasure Hunt clue locations | How to use the Director Mode in GTA 5