🥊✈️ Too Close To Think...

In partnership with

Hey Warrior,

Most people think fights start with a punch.

They don’t.

Fights start with distance mistakes—with the moment you stood a little too close to the wrong person, a little too long, and didn’t think much of it.

That’s when the clock starts ticking.

This week’s scenario is a perfect example.

One man, standing just a few feet away, distracted…

…and in twelve seconds, he’s fighting for balance, breath, and his footing.

Let’s talk about why proximity is a warning—not a comfort.

The Problem with Standing Still

We all like to think we’d react fast.

But speed is only half the fight.

Reaction without readiness is just panic.

In Service With a Smack, the employee wasn’t being confrontational.

He wasn’t being aggressive.

He was being comfortable.

One hand in his pocket.

The other on his phone.

Standing within arm’s reach of a seated patron.

And by the time the guy stood up and shoved—it was already too late to plan.

That’s the danger of proximity without awareness.

Distance isn’t just a luxury—it’s your reaction buffer.

And when you give that up, you’ve already sacrificed your edge.

Train to Think Like a Weapon

Here’s your mental shift…

Every stranger in striking range is a possible opponent.

That doesn’t mean paranoia—it means posture.

In training:

• Practice scanning your space before every drill. Not just targets—angles and exits.

• Spar with constraint drills: Start with one hand behind your back. Start with your back to a wall.
  See how posture and space change your options.

• Drill proximity resets. Practice repositioning during casual conversation. Subtle, not obvious.

In real life:

• Don’t lean on counters, doorframes, or walls when someone’s close.

• Keep hands visible and free. One hand in your pocket = one less tool available.

• Use furniture as a buffer, not a trap. Stay mobile.

Awareness isn’t just mindset—it’s movement.

Every step, every angle, every pocket of space is a decision.

Watch the Fight With New Eyes

Go back and watch Service With a Smack again.

📱 Watch how the employee stands.
👣 Watch the spacing.
⏱️ Watch how fast it all goes sideways.

👉 Watch on FightorFlightNewsletter.com
👉 Join the discussion in the Operators Lounge

Now that you’re seeing the distance, the posture shifts, and the blind spots…

What would you do differently?

✅ Before You Go...

Look at how you train.

Do your drills assume you have space?

Are you practicing posture under pressure?

Ask yourself:

That’s what separates a person who trains martial arts from one who thinks like a weapon.

Stay sharp,
– Paul Simoes