In partnership with

Hey Warrior,

One moment, he’s texting.

The next, he’s fighting for balance, breath, and maybe his job.

This week’s scenario is a masterclass in spontaneous escalation, where two men go from zero to entangled in under three seconds.

Our venue is in front of a cramped restaurant checkout.

And if you’re thinking, “This could never happen to me”…

Just remember — all he did was stand too close with one hand in his pocket.

Let’s break it down…

We’re in a restaurant.

The employee stands near a seated patron, texting or dialing with his right hand while his left stays tucked in his pocket.

The patron suddenly explodes upward, shoving into the employee’s chest with one hand while cocking his other like he’s about to launch a haymaker.

But that punch never lands.

Instead, a quick slip to the left puts the employee off-balance — and ironically helps him trip just as the patron shoves again.

They both fumble forward.

It looks like a takedown, but it’s not. It’s chaos.

Still, the employee scrambles, regains his feet, and manages to slip another punch, keeping things just inches from disaster.

It stays close. Real close. Six to twelve inches apart the entire time — no room, no margin, no plan.

The patron tries to grab and punch, but the employee slips in a glancing hook.

They stumble into chairs, arms tangled like headphones in a pocket.

The patron finally breaks space, rears back, and fires off a clean right.

The employee bobs and comes up clean with a right-left combo.

The right lands. The lights go out.

Twelve seconds. Zero prep.

🟨 Operator’s Call

You’re the employee. You’re texting. He lunges.

You’ve got a split-second — what’s your move?

• Do you create space and go defensive?

• Do you strike first while his balance is compromised?

• Do you tie up and ride it out inside the clinch?

More importantly — do you even realize it’s happening before it’s too late?

This fight didn’t start with fists.

It started with bad distance management and lack of awareness.

Would you have spotted the pre-attack cues?

Or would you be the one pulling yourself off the floor?

Let me know? Hit reply or post your Operator’s Call in the Facebook group.

👉 Drop your call in the Operator’s Lounge (Facebook Group)
We’re unpacking this one. Let's hear your take.

🟧 Download This Week’s Op-Snapshot

This week’s Op-Snapshot gives you a visual breakdown of the fight sequence — moment-by-moment cues, slips, trips, and strikes.

✅ Tactical angles
✅ Key decision points
✅ Timing windows

Perfect to take into training tonight.

🟦 Scenario Footage

You’ve made your call. Now see how it played out.
▶️ Watch “Service With A Smack” on FightOrFlightNewsletter.com
or
▶️ Watch & Discuss in the Facebook Group

✅ Before You Go...

How would you have handled it?

Would you have seen the shove coming?

Would you have stayed standing?

What’s the one change you’d make to your current training after watching this?

Hit reply and tell me — or better yet, post your Operator’s Call in the group.

Stay aware. Stay ready.

– Paul Simoes