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Some notes I've consolidated from a few places with regards to actual self-defence. I've covered a targeted assault rather than a 'sucker-punch' attack as generally it's incredibly difficult to defend from a an attack like that (from behind? no announcement? while your attention is naturally elsewhere/not suspecting of an attack? Not going to be able to diffuse that kind of attack and would be far more difficult to engage fully)
If you are targeted for a fight (i.e. not sucker-punched):
- Do NOT start by bragging you can mess them up, you know kung fu or karate or whatever style you have. That creates a point of ego for your attackers, a point for them to be able to win against someone who's trained
Ego - either threatened or given a chance to cheaply grow - is a massive aggressive drive. Instead start off meek. There's no boasting, no "man-points" for fighting someone who doesn't appear to be a threat.
- If they are after something (phone, wallet, watch), give it to them. Try not sound resentful. Place/drop/throw the object(s) on the ground. tell them the thing is theirs. Tell them you're going to walk away and leave it.
- De-escalate - if it's started as verbal abuse can you talk your way out of it? Buy them a pint, if they're ranting at you without provocation, join in on their side even if you don't agree with it.
- Can you run? Or maneuver to a position where you can run? Have a plan of where you are running to. Somewhere public, with people.
- None of the above has worked? Being meek is no longer going to cut it. Do an instant switch, start shouting, be loud, be big, increase your presence. Still do NOT 'show off' or brag that you know martial arts, this is just about counter-posturing. And even at this point, if they are suitably shocked there's a good chance that laughing and offering to buy a pint can defuse the situation.
- Still not worked, they aren't phased by a quiet person suddenly being loud? Go crazy, shout how you'll rip their eyes from their sockets etc. Be graphic, and be confident, be crazy.
What if nothing has worked... at this point you *still* do not brag that you've trained in any martial arts. Again this just creates a "man-points" situation for the attackers, if they beat you they have bragging material, so they have another 'reason' to try and win.
- Be aware of your surroundings, how many people & where they are. Look at the group dynamic, are they following one person? If so that should be your target. If they are all joining in then targets get complicated. And despite having to use your training, your focus should still be on creating an opportunity to RUN.
Anyone, or any school that tells you that your self-defence aim should be to incapacitate your attacker(s) over all else is wrong. Morally and legally (UK law anyway). Your goal should always be to get yourself into a safe environment, whether by giving them possessions, fighting, running, or some mix.
By UK law you are not allowed to escalate a violent situation. That generally means if the aggressor stops being a threat that you must stop whatever aggressive measures you were taking to defend yourself. You also cannot 'increase' the weapon type being used, regardless of difference in size or numbers in their group (empty hand < sticks < knives < guns etc.).
Also keep in mind it really does not take much to accidentally *kill* someone (think about both you and your attackers). Them, or you, falling to a hard surface and hitting their head can be all it takes. There are a number of deaths that have made national news that have been due to *one* drunken punch, and the victim hitting their head badly on the pavement.
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