"He who marches out of step hears another drum." ~ Ken Kesey
Wonder if the little crap learned anything from that.
In Florida (probably all) public schools the bigger kid would be expelled and labeled a safety threat to others. It just happened to a kid my 4th graders class. the parents have had several meeting and even had police intervention several times over the last 2 years. The kid finally punched his bully several times and got kicked out of school. He know has to fight an assault charge.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.