How to Watch for and Defend Against Sucker Punches

These guys are bouncers by trade, and see more scuffles than most anyone else outside of law enforcement. These guys know what to look for, because they encounter it on a nightly basis. When someone with that much experience start giving suggestions, it's a good idea to take notice - it could save you from getting sucker punched.

How to Watch for and Defend Against Sucker Punches Pistol Drill

This video is a wealth of knowledge – I highly recommend finding the time to watch it in its entirety. These guys are bouncers by trade, and see more scuffles than most anyone else outside of law enforcement. These guys know what to look for, because they encounter it on a nightly basis. When someone with that much experience start giving suggestions, it’s a good idea to take notice – it could save you from getting sucker punched.

If you have any interest in self defense, this video contains very useful information.

Watch for pre-attack indicators

It is rare for sucker punches to truly come out of the blue, excepting muggings. Usually there is some form of conflict happening before the first punch is thrown. When conflict arises, even if it doesn’t look like the other person has it in them, start paying attention for pre-attack indicators.

The video provided many excellent examples of pre-attack indicators.

De-escalate the situation

Fights should always be avoided, regardless of whether you’re a bouncer, cop, or self defender. Violence is always a last resort. Don’t challenge the aggressor, that will only flare up the situation, especially if alcohol is involved. Talk in a calm voice and keep a relaxed (but ready) stance. Your ego needs to take a back seat. If buying the other guy a beer can take care of the situation, go for it – a beer is cheaper than a hospital trip.

The video shows an excellent ready, but relaxed and non-confrontational stance.

Be prepared to defend anyways

Even though we’re trying to de-escalate the situation, know that might not be the other guy’s intentions. While working to de-escalate the situation, be ready to defend yourself. Also, watch out for potential buddies circling around for an ambush.

Don’t be a soft target

Most criminals want easy targets. They don’t like resistance, they just want to win. If you show that you are alert and aware, they might back down and move on. In many situations, simply looking at them directly in the eye might be enough for them to back down and move on.

Stay alert, and be ready.

Written by - always a student, sometimes a teacher.

I don't consider myself a competition shooter - I think of myself as a performance pistol shooter. I am all about performing at as high of a level as possible. Towards that end, I am obsessive about learning how to perform. I spend a lot of my life learning from the best across the entire firearms world and even into other areas of performance and other sports. I am a USPSA Carry Optics Grandmaster, currently working towards my second GM title in the Open division.

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