That comes down to how you set up the pre-fight.
By the time I'm ready to throw a punch, the person is already mentally and emotionally disarmed, usually (and because of the way I look and act) they have underestimated me, so I play to that. I'm the guy who feigns weakness, who doesn't want trouble, but has already decided than you have crossed the line, and you are a threat.
When I know the time to act comes I will ask a question to engage the person's mid brain, causing confusion, and giving me a window of entry. The more random the better. "Did you fuckk my goat?", as taught to me by one of my students, works a treat.
Like I said, the punch will travel no further than 12 inches, from outside of the tunnel vision caused by adrenaline. If your initiaition speed is right and the set up is correct, the only muscle reaction that can respond quickly enough if it sees the blow is the eyelid, closing the eyes as a reflex, and making the job easier.
As I say to people all the time, there is a lot more to self protection than punches and kicks. |