This thread is going to be about the techniques you would use in a street confrontation or have already used.

I myself just pick 2 or 3 techniques that are relatively simple to do, quick and effective: tsukis (jab and reverse strait punch) to the face/neck and mae geri (front kick) to the torso.

Cheers.

I have effectively used Kote Mawashi, Shuto Uke, Mae Geri, and Gyaku Tsuki in non sporting confrontations.

Really it depends on the situation. The thing about so-called "street" encounters is that you don't so much have to have a perfect technique as you must be ready to do something at all when the situation warrants it.

What's the Japanese word for sucker punch?

In the only real fight I have ever had in a self defense situation I used Ura Zuki and Naka Daka Ippon Ken. I survived the attack, so I suppose I am living proof that my Karate works.

It's a little bit premature to theorize about what you "would" use, because you are running on lots of assumptions there that might be wildly false. And past experience can be biased toward situational things. Also, the techniques you listed are all attacks; not very defensive. I am always mystified why the word "defense" is so often interpreted as something that looks suspiciously like "Finally I have a chance to unleash my rage and attack someone in a way that I can tell my friends I was justified."

What's the Japanese word for sucker punch?

hahahaha...

I always train that faced with a life threatening situation (the only time I would ever fight.) I am going to go for knee and groin kicks, strikes to the throat and eyes. And throwing as many elbows and knees as possible if they get in close.

But really you can't pre-plan attacks. You must flow with your opponent. Calm your mind, breathe slowly and deeply. Consciously try to loosen your muscles. Look at your opponents neck/upper chest area and try to see all of them without focusing on a single part. It's not easy to do these things during an adrenaline dump (which you will almost certainly experience.)

Perhaps the most effective technique is that of the mind?

Hiza geri (knee strike), empi (elbow), gedan mawashi geri (low roundhouse kick), tettsui (hammerfist), shita tsuki (uppercut), kagi tsuki (hook punch), gyaku tsuki (reverse punch), kinteki geri (groin kick), and kansetsu geri (knee joint kick) I've used in some way shape or form over the years.

What's the Japanese word for sucker punch?

hahahaha...

I believe its "pre-emptive strike." Whatever that translates to....

But really you can't pre-plan attacks. You must flow with your opponent.

I agree. That's why its important to have good strategy and tactics for dealing with self-defense. Like tallgeese's examples, you will want to stun, and unbalance, so you keep in mind this and observe how to accomplish those things.

Well I think you can't plan what you use. In the end you use what fits to the current situation.

Probably you won't even use a real Karate Technique but more the body mechanics and the reflexes you learned to subconsciously defend yourself against an attack and be quick to counter.

Techniques I would think are more effective in a streetfight would be:

Offense:

Empi uchi (elbow)

Knee strike (don't know the jap. word ^^)

gyaku tsuki

In the end the only thing that counts is that the other guy is on the floor and not you

Defense:

Your reflexes

My Sensei always says it doesn't matter how you do it as long as you don't get hit. So following that if you can dodge then dodge (what you probably would do from reflex) otherwise block (also a reflex thing)

Cheers

T3chnopsycho

Glasgow kiss followed by anything.