Self Defense in NYC Subway

[sdstories]

Rob, a New York based martial artist and friend of mine, sent me this short story.
I was coming home late from a bar one Friday night and was getting on the IRT #6 train at 23rd Street. The entry area was empty except for the token booth clerk and two guys loitering by the wall. I really didn’t pay any attention to them and started toward the turnstile. Before I could get through the turnstile I sensed something behind me. I turned around and the two guys who had been loitering by the wall were now right behind me. The guy closest to me took a swing at me, which I avoided by ducking. It came so quickly that I just reacted without thinking, just trying to avoid it. I couldn’t move much because I was right against the turnstile. As I started straightening up, the other guy wailed a roundhouse punch. I blocked it and caught him I the mouth with a reverse punch and he stumbled back. Since his accomplice was so close to me I was able to catch him with a backward elbow smash to his face right off my reverse punch. Because my adrenaline was so high I don’t remember much after this. I think I hit the guy on my left another time and then I ran out of the station and a few blocks and then hailed a cab home. Next time I’ll probably take a cab after being out drinking.
Kind of shows how knee jerk reactions can save the day. Connecting with a couple of solid punches even in the confined space of the subway worked for Rob.