Contrary to what many online "experts" try to tell you when they're trying to sell you their latest, greatest self defense product - self defense is a very complex subject.
There really is no one, single, killer technique that will work in every situation.
Sorry.
That's just the way it is.
But, that's not to say that you cannot master this complex subject and become an expert yourself.
What it does mean is that you're going to have to shed your beliefs, illusions, and prior programming that's causing you to look for that magic secret that will allow yo to avoid the time, effort, and expense of getting good, solid, reliable knowledge and skill.
The inescapable fact is that, step-by-step, physical techniques - while important - are only a small piece of the formula for successful self defense in a real world attack situation.
More than this, you will need to develop some critical thinking abilities, and make sure that you can recgnize and manage the variables that exist which make every attack situation unique, in and of itself.
Unlike the safe, controlled, and predictable training in the martial arts dojo, or the self defense class, a brutal attack on the street is marked by intense emotional stress, confusion, and chaos.
To be successful, you must be able to respond effectively to a wide variety of attack situations.
You must make sure that your training is diverse enough to prepare you for whatever may come your way.
As a place to begin your training in this area of strategic thinking, the following is a set of questions that, when answered clearly, will give you the keys to defeating him.
They will also, when used as guides, allow you to take control of your training, and make sure that you are as prepared as you think you are! Strategic Thinking Questions For The Serious Self Defense Student 1) Why is he attacking you? Attack situations are not all alike.
The attacker's intention plays a huge part in determining what you'll have to deal with, and whether or not you can effectivelly prevent things from going physical.
Is this someone who's had too much to drink? Is it an angry friend who is acting out of character.
Or, is this a street attack, mugging, or workplace violence incident? 2) How is attacking? A punch is a punch, so says the conventional logic.
But, I disagree.
Paying attention to the types of punches, kicks, and even the way he grabs, goes a long way toward using his own logic and strategy against him.
Does he use light, quick, bouncy footwork and movement? Is he a quick jabber, or does he favor big, slow, but powerful wind-up punches? If your training is really designed around giving you strategic options for dealing with different types of "attacker-logic," and the attacks used by each, you'll be able to meet any attacker - dicipher the keys to winning - and do just that! 3) Where are you? Location can often play an important role in how you do what you do.
Being prepared for situations that are public and your every move may be scrutinized, or get the attention of his friends - or those where you can take advantage of environmental aids like furniture, possible weapons, natural barriers, and the like, is a major factor in defending easily and with least anount of wear-and-tear on you.
4) Does he have back-up? You must remember that you're not in a sport contest.
A self defense situation can begin one way and suddenly you can find yourself in a very different mess.
Always ask yourself: "Does he have allies here, and if so, how can I resolve this without triggering their involvement?" And, if you can't do this, then you must be prepared with techniques, tactics, and strategies that will allow you to successfully defend against multiple attackers.
5) Is he armed? Just as with the question about allies, you must remember that, just because he is not brandishing a weapon in the beginning, that one can come into play anywhere in the encounter.
Either way, if the answer to this question is "Yes," then we must answer the follow-up questions of "what type of weapon," "how is he holding it," and others.
6) What policies laws, or regulations are you limited by? Do you have a job that has set policies and guidelines for what you;re allowed to do? Generally speaking, the civilian defender only has to worry about the law of self defense.
But, police officers, those working in mental facilities, and others have an extensive set of restrictions which govern their decision-making process when it comes to self protection.
As I said, this should give you a start into the advanced realms of self defense mastery.
Self protection, at least the way it should be taught and approached, involves much, much more than merely learning "some moves.
" It also depends on your ability to discern what you're dealing with, trusting your intuitive sense, the honing of your awareness, and being able to think quickly, clearly, and strategically under pressure.
There really is no one, single, killer technique that will work in every situation.
Sorry.
That's just the way it is.
But, that's not to say that you cannot master this complex subject and become an expert yourself.
What it does mean is that you're going to have to shed your beliefs, illusions, and prior programming that's causing you to look for that magic secret that will allow yo to avoid the time, effort, and expense of getting good, solid, reliable knowledge and skill.
The inescapable fact is that, step-by-step, physical techniques - while important - are only a small piece of the formula for successful self defense in a real world attack situation.
More than this, you will need to develop some critical thinking abilities, and make sure that you can recgnize and manage the variables that exist which make every attack situation unique, in and of itself.
Unlike the safe, controlled, and predictable training in the martial arts dojo, or the self defense class, a brutal attack on the street is marked by intense emotional stress, confusion, and chaos.
To be successful, you must be able to respond effectively to a wide variety of attack situations.
You must make sure that your training is diverse enough to prepare you for whatever may come your way.
As a place to begin your training in this area of strategic thinking, the following is a set of questions that, when answered clearly, will give you the keys to defeating him.
They will also, when used as guides, allow you to take control of your training, and make sure that you are as prepared as you think you are! Strategic Thinking Questions For The Serious Self Defense Student 1) Why is he attacking you? Attack situations are not all alike.
The attacker's intention plays a huge part in determining what you'll have to deal with, and whether or not you can effectivelly prevent things from going physical.
Is this someone who's had too much to drink? Is it an angry friend who is acting out of character.
Or, is this a street attack, mugging, or workplace violence incident? 2) How is attacking? A punch is a punch, so says the conventional logic.
But, I disagree.
Paying attention to the types of punches, kicks, and even the way he grabs, goes a long way toward using his own logic and strategy against him.
Does he use light, quick, bouncy footwork and movement? Is he a quick jabber, or does he favor big, slow, but powerful wind-up punches? If your training is really designed around giving you strategic options for dealing with different types of "attacker-logic," and the attacks used by each, you'll be able to meet any attacker - dicipher the keys to winning - and do just that! 3) Where are you? Location can often play an important role in how you do what you do.
Being prepared for situations that are public and your every move may be scrutinized, or get the attention of his friends - or those where you can take advantage of environmental aids like furniture, possible weapons, natural barriers, and the like, is a major factor in defending easily and with least anount of wear-and-tear on you.
4) Does he have back-up? You must remember that you're not in a sport contest.
A self defense situation can begin one way and suddenly you can find yourself in a very different mess.
Always ask yourself: "Does he have allies here, and if so, how can I resolve this without triggering their involvement?" And, if you can't do this, then you must be prepared with techniques, tactics, and strategies that will allow you to successfully defend against multiple attackers.
5) Is he armed? Just as with the question about allies, you must remember that, just because he is not brandishing a weapon in the beginning, that one can come into play anywhere in the encounter.
Either way, if the answer to this question is "Yes," then we must answer the follow-up questions of "what type of weapon," "how is he holding it," and others.
6) What policies laws, or regulations are you limited by? Do you have a job that has set policies and guidelines for what you;re allowed to do? Generally speaking, the civilian defender only has to worry about the law of self defense.
But, police officers, those working in mental facilities, and others have an extensive set of restrictions which govern their decision-making process when it comes to self protection.
As I said, this should give you a start into the advanced realms of self defense mastery.
Self protection, at least the way it should be taught and approached, involves much, much more than merely learning "some moves.
" It also depends on your ability to discern what you're dealing with, trusting your intuitive sense, the honing of your awareness, and being able to think quickly, clearly, and strategically under pressure.
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