Sucker Punch (physical attacks in the streets cont)

One of the most commonly used techniques among street fighters is the sucker punch. This move involves any form of attack that takes the victim by total surprise-for example, by hitting an opponent from behind or from the side, or by initially distracting him by some form of ruse. A sucker punch is simply any method of getting a powerful first strike in without giving your opponent any opportunity to defend himself or launch his own attacks. This approach has many advantages. First, the attacker has little risk of a counter, since the opponent does not see the attack coming. Second, the strike almost always has a catastrophic effect on the victim, since he is not braced to take the blow. As a result, sucker punches often result in knockouts or at least severe stunning effects.

Such attacks take little skill to perform; hence, they can be used by anybody and can produce great results. The only skill needed for a sucker punch rests in the setup. Experienced street fighters are experts in getting surreptitiously behind a victim or out to the side. Others feign weakness, friendliness, or fear then they smash their victim with total surprise. There is no counter to a sucker punch for the simple reason that you do not see it coming. Obviously, you cannot counter a technique that you do not see.

The key to avoiding sucker punches is not a technique at all. Rather, it is keeping yourself in a state of awareness that prevents people from taking you by surprise. You can employ a number of tricks to make it tougher for someone to catch you unaware. To prevent rear attacks, place your back against a wall. Tell you antagonist to keep his distance from you. Inform him that if he gets within a certain distance, the fight is on. Do not bluff with this threat. If you do not act on your threat, you will be seen as weakling. IF you are reluctant to initiate the fight, avoid the verbal threat and simply adopt the prayer stance. This position makes you much less vulnerable to a sucker punch than standing in front of your antagonist and arguing.

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