Chris McKinley wrote:dragontigerpalm,
RE: "Being able to respond effectively to surprise attacks where one takes the first strike needs to be trained but it has been my experience that such attacks rarely begin as frontal attacks to the face/head.". Yet that's predominantly where they do begin, according to actual crime report statistics. Further, please note that I didn't mention "face", although that's just as good, but the head in general.
RE: "Often surprise attacks are sucker punches to the back or side of the head or a shove neither of which are usually disabling though of course can be momentarily disorienting.". Actually, a strike to the back of the head is far more likely to result in disorientation and concussion, especially if the strike is to the occipital ridge and/or cervical spine.
Chris,
I'm really amazed that statistics reveal that surprise attacks are predominantly frontal since an ambush is the best way to take someone unawares and it's certainly easier to ambush someone from the side or back. Obviously it's much harder to surprise someone while you are facing them. At any rate I only speak from my direct personal experience and observation which, while hardly inclusive, does span decades.
Regarding strikes to the rear of the head again I can't argue with statistics but I have never seen a disabling strike to the rear of the head by a bare hand/fist in any bar or street fight.