JUST WALK AWAY - IF YOU CAN
by Bill Wallace

Let me tell it to you straight: You never want to get in a bar fight. Things can get ugly in a hurry, and the person who comes in second could end up maimed for life. Or worse.

The most important measure you can take to avoid being in a bar fight is knowing where you should and shouldn’t go at certain times. For example, if you walk into T.G.I. Friday’s or the Hard Rock Café during the day, you’re almost guaranteed that no one will pick a fight with you. However, if you go into a biker bar on a Saturday night and look at someone the wrong way or say “hi” to the wrong person, you can be pretty sure a fight will start then and there.

Bar fights usually occur in the evening in poorly lit establishments. They are usually spur-of-the-moment things where one guy just nails the other, often for no real reason. Perhaps he accidentally bumped into the other guy and spilled his drink, or he cut in front of him in line while he was waiting to place an order. Maybe he and the other patrons didn’t like the way the victim looked or the clothes he was wearing. If you ever find yourself in that kind of situation, swallow your pride and try to defuse the tension before fists start flying.

If it seems like a fight is inevitable, you should immediately spring into action. Plan on hitting him before he hits you. But first, take a step backward to create more distance between you and him. The extra room will enable you to see what he’s planning to do.

If you can’t move back, step forward. That will confuse him and throw off any strategy that might involve using distance against you.

You should also turn your body slightly with respect to his. Don’t put your hands up because that can be interpreted as an aggressive act. With your hands down at your sides, you’ll be perceived as passive. However, you can throw a backfist at the guy and end the fight right there. Operating in a low-light environment can make your first strike easier to deliver.

If the aggressor is armed with a blade or club, grab a pool cue or beer bottle and try to knock the weapon out of his hand. Again, stand sideways to minimize the target you’re giving him. Then, if you get hit, it will likely be your arm that suffers the injury, not a vital organ.

If he comes at you with a gun, your strategy should change. Your best chance hinges on just biting the bullet, so to speak, and apologizing for whatever transgression he thinks you’re responsible for. Remember that it’s tough to block bullets.

Often your foe won’t throw the first punch. Instead, he might shove you in an effort to get you to swing first. In the eyes of most witnesses, the fact that he put his hands on you first is the same as hitting first. That means it’s the best time for you to strike because while his hands are busy pushing you, yours are free to act. Go for his eyes so he can’t see. Hit him in the ribs or throat so he can’t breathe. Or slam a side kick into his knee so he can’t chase you. Then leave the establishment.

A caveat: If you use any martial arts techniques to defend yourself, the other person will say you “cheated” even if he’s the one who started the fight. Furthermore, even if you thump him real good in the bar, he and his pals could wait for you outside, then finish the job by jumping you or damaging your car.

When you let a bar fight erupt, there is no winner. In the best-case scenario, you will have beat up an intoxicated person. In the worst-case scenario, you will be dead. Most people take up the martial arts in the first place so they can protect themselves, gain self-confidence and learn how to respect others. If you find yourself bickering over a brew, stay true to your training and just walk away.

About the author: Bill Wallace is a former kickboxing champion and Black Belt Hall of Fame member who now teaches seminars around the world. To contact him, visit http://www.superfoot.com.