The 2 most important things with ANY self defence
DISTANCE & TIMING are the 2 most important things in ANY self defence situation
You can have all the speed & power you want, but if your distance & timing is off, you are set to fail
ALSO your lunge back to any attack is MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE ACTUAL BLOCK.
We never know where someone will attack, this is why we lunge back, THEN counter.
If you know you can't get out of a situation without de-escalation or a physical outcome, bait him to attack 1st and counter
ALL combat arts use this tactic