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.

[Sohan]

Good for him. He had good sense of his surroundings, and responded instinctively without unnecessary thought. It's a good thing, though, that there weren't weapons involved.

With respect,

Sohan

[Fairfax_Uechi]

sdstories, I have a hard time believing that this is true. You posted this and the Paris subway story. Maybe they are and maybe they aren't, but it just seems strange.

Anyway, in this case, being drunk was poor judgement IMHO, and not something that a martial artist should do. In this story the guy was lucky. Poor judgement allowed the attackers to get close. Poor judgement resulted in him getting trapped. Poor judgement resulted in him having to fight. Not a good example IMHO. But one point is good. If you have to think once you're forced to fight your in a lot of trouble. Your training should take over and you should be pretty much on autopilot to attacks.

So with all of that said, true or not. The story can teach us a few things.

[Traditional-Fist]

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.

You did good.

[Anbu Alex]

good old new york city with jerks around every coner lol nice work

[jaymac]

If it is true, good for him. If it is not true, nice story.

[June1]

Strange... Lately, I've been thinking about what I would do if I were ever held up, or something, with the level of karate I know now. The sad part is, I think I'd be too paralyzed with fear to remember any technique. Wild punches and kicks would probably end up coming out. Because of this, I have an urge to train more and train harder, just to condition my body to become used to the same techniques again and again so it would be automatic. It would also help if my partner or instructor would be a little more rough to add to the feeling of realness.

[jaymac]

June1, I do not know what your level is, but I dont think that is necessarily the case for you. I had a friend who was on a business trip in another city and was quite quickley and unexpectedly jumped on the street (get this, on a very populated street, while onlookers were nearby), he said he immediately reacted with a very strong elbow to this persons ribs. He said it worked right now. He said he even kiai'd and onlookers told him he yelled very "LOUD"

I was so proud of him because he had never had to use his training before, but when he needed it, it worked for him, and I believe this would be true for many practitioners.

[June1]

Wow... an elbow to the ribs, eh? AND he remembered the kiai. That's very impressive. Good for him.