đŸ„Šâœˆïž Hands Up or Game Over

One shove, one shift, one sharp elbow—and a reminder that fights don’t wait for perfect timing.

Author

Paulo Simoes
June 20, 2025

In partnership with

Hey Warrior,

This week was all about momentum and what you do when it’s not yours.

The push is one of the most common real-world attacks.

It’s simple. Fast. Full of emotional heat.

And if your hands aren’t already up when it hits, you’re already playing catch-up.

We saw how fast it escalates.

No windup, no warning, just a hard charge and chaos right behind it.

Let’s explore.

But first a word from out sponsor.

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This week wasn’t about the perfect response. It was about being prepared to make one.

Recap

Monday – Scenario Snapshot:
In Recess Rumble, we watched a heated verbal exchange explode into a hard shove, wild slaps, and a full ground scramble. Timing and posture made all the difference.

Tuesday – Fight Intelligence:
We talked about keeping your hands up—not just for defense, but to shorten reaction time and be ready to intercept. A lazy guard is a liability.

Wednesday – Technique Drop:
We broke down Push Defense—slap the arms down, redirect their weight forward, and fire an elbow into the head they just handed you. Their momentum becomes your finisher.

Thursday – Engagement Options:
We explored variations. Stepping offline with an inside block, taking the back, dropping a clothesline, or slamming them backwards into the ground. The key takeaway? Adaptability. You don’t pick one path—you train for all of them.

Tactical Reflection

If someone came at you fast—arms out, weight forward—what would you do?

Would you try to stop the push?

Angle off?

Fire the elbow?

Take the back?

Could you teach that to someone else under stress?

Could you adapt if the push came from a taller attacker?

A friend?

A stranger?

Don’t just think about what you’d like to do.

Think about what you’re trained to do.

Comming Up Next Week

We’re heading into one of the most common (and most misread) attacks



the straight punch.

Next week we’ll break down:

  • How to read a punch before it launches

  • Intercepting vs. covering

  • How to counter without getting stuck in “block and hope” mode

Gear up. The jab's coming.

Before You Go


Fights shift fast.

One push can become a takedown.

One mistake can become a knockout.

The only constant is you



your posture, your presence, your prep.

Review this week. Drill the variations. Don’t memorize
 internalize.

Stay dangerous,
– Paul Simoes

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