Since 1988, Tony Blauer has continued to refine and polish the S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM™ and has created a recipe so that anyone can experience the benefits of the simplicity and effectiveness of his method. The S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM™ is the first genetically inspired self-defense system. It is the only self-defense method that fully integrates the body's reflexive responses and instinctive survival mechanisms making the S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM™ the easiest, most natural way to protect yourself.

Here's how the system evolved: Pain, Fear of Pain & the Flinch

In 1988 while working on an isolation drill, something unique occurred. Fear. Impact. Pain. Swelling. The drill was called the 'sucker punch drill' and it blended verbal aggression, natural stances and any sucker punch. The defender had a mouthguard and no offensive choices other than maintain a non-combative natural stance and he could evade, block or jam, but not strike. The aggressor (wearing 16 ozs. gloves) was allowed to taunt, gesture, point and launch a solo shot anywhere on the body at any time. That's it. The aggressor was allowed to encroach (in other words, there was no 'sparring' distance established) and the threats could be anything from any situation (money, mugging, bar room, etc.). This forced the defender to engage the aggressor cognitively and verbally without establishing any sparring-type rhythm. It also served to distract the defender from concentrating on the physical tools exclusively.

The drill was fantastic because true sucker punches are surprises even when your "spider-sense" is picking up danger. Furthermore, the learned muscle-memory blocks and interceptions were mostly ineffective at extreme close quarters and especially with the verbal distractions (just like in real-life). With the verbal and the threat of impact, resulted in a natural 'startle-flinch' reaction to the suddenness and proximity of the attacks. The overwhelming conclusion was that sport trained skills, no matter how theoretically vicious or effective (against a consenting opponent, or ice or bricks and boards) did not readily appear when the opponent controlled the distance and time of attack. This drill and the research that ensued was a huge springboard moment in the evolution of training for real fights vs. sport fights. What resulted from this innovative drill back in 1988 spawned the S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM™ and inspired an entire martial movement towards more realistic training and tactical choiceS.

*You can view footage of the original 'Sucker Punch' drill on the documentary style video, FORGING A FIGHTING SYSTEM, available in the Product Section.