Principles of Sef-Defense

INTRODUCTION - SELF-DEFENSE, AWARENESS & AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES

The following information could change the way you live and act in your life. The next few paragraphs are only a small insight of personal protection and assaultive behaviour techniques, that can help save you unneeded injury or loss of life. This is insurance, for your personal safety.

Self-defense is a specialized area involving many skills. Self-defense is designed to cultivate the right response to assault situations. The purpose of this is to change the reflex of fear into a reflex of action. Usually in a Self-defense situation the attacker preys on the victim or catches them off guard. So, it is important to project self-confidence and to be aware of your surroundings. 

Awareness is the key element in Self-defense to perceive aggression before it is manifested.

Awareness helps people become more cautions and careful about personal safety. Assess the environment as you travel to and from your destination, looking out for: the amount of light within an area, exits in a building, amount of room to bypass an object. When confronted by a person systematically scanning them for signs of attack or the body language they project.

Strategies of Self-defense areas such as Car Defense, Bar / Party Confrontation and Street Safety will also be discussed - The use of voice in an assault situation, alternative response options and when to use them, and follow up techniques to be used within a confrontation.

Recommendations of what steps people should take to learn more about Self-defense and where to find additional information. This will help direct them towards taking a Self-defense Program, or to undertake a Martial Art with Self-defense based techniques and strategies within their syllabus.

This will further develop your personal safety practices.

WHAT IS SELF-DEFENSE?

Self-defense is a specialized area. It involves techniques taught in many martial arts styles and is much more involved than having martial arts skills. Almost all martial arts styles were developed by men for men usually for professional fighters, warriors or soldiers. Self-defense is not best served by strict adherence to a "pure style" of Martial Arts.

Many Martial Arts techniques apply mostly to Kata or competition sparring not Self-defense.

Many Self-defense classes teach ineffective techniques that are dangerous to use in real life situations. For example, a punch delivered even with a correctly formed fist, risks injury to the hand, yet punching is considered a Self-defense technique in most martial arts.

We live in increasingly difficult and trying times when the accent on physical violence by criminals, muggers, hooligans and rapists appears to be the norm. We cannot ignore the growing crime statistics reported daily in our news. Safeguards are taken to protect and insure property such as your house and car from damage or loss. Now is the time to take some special measures to insure the safety of something more important than the house and car, which are yourself and your family.

FINDINGS

Although the Police are committed to protecting individuals they are not always around when needed. Police usually become involved after the crime is committed. We have a legal right and a moral obligation to learn to protect ourselves.

Common-sense Self-defense programs are designed to cultivate the right response to assault situations. The purpose of this is to change the reflex of fear into a reflex of action. This can be accomplished by preparation, practice and awareness. The reality of human interaction dictates that at times, another person's self - interest will be imposed on your security.

Nobody has a right to invade your personal being. Any necessary and reasonable force may be used to protect one's person from wrongful injury. Most situations do not require extreme force, so much as well aimed intention and the combination of an effective technique with a vulnerable target area.

VICTIM SELECTION

Usually in a self-defense situation the attacker catches the victim off guard, or uses psychological control, size and strength to control their victim. These are apparent disadvantages or limitations for the victim, but their advantages are surprise, strategy, and technique.

An attacker looks for a victim, deep in thought unaware of what is going on around them. Do not send "Ready signals" to be victimized by the assailants. If your appearance shows confidence and self-assertiveness, you immediately become less of a target. If we carry ourselves timidly, we are most vulnerable to intrusion.

WHAT DO YOU PROJECT? SELF CONFIDENCE OR VULNERABILTY

(WEAKNESS AND INSECURITY)

CONFIDENCE TRAINING

Confidence in yourself and your abilities must be developed. Just like we can become very good at own jobs and have confidence in what you do. Confidence in your abilities to defend yourself can also be developed.

If you submissively look away from the person and down at your watch when asked the time, this behaviour leaves you open to attack.

Practice saying "NO" - think of situations that you don't like or don't want. i.e. (giving into a situation instead of making a fuss).

Overcome your natural inclination to wait too long before you run or scream because you feel embarrassed that you might look foolish.

AWARENESS

Awareness is the key element in self-defense to perceive aggression before it is manifested physically. Trust your inbuilt warning system that makes us aware of danger, don't ignore your instincts. For example: systematically searching your house when you come home.

Awareness helps people become more cautions and careful about personal safety. Use of peripheral vision (using the corners of the eyes) must be practiced.

• SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

This is when you assess the assets and liabilities of the environment. For example, how much light is in the area, where the closes exits are to you in the building, the type of ground surface, the amount of room in which to manoeuvre and obstacles that get in your way, i.e. wall, car and fence.

Also when evaluating an attacker, if they are drunk, the length of their hair, the type of clothing they are wearing, weapons they might have or can get nearby and if they have friends. Be peripherally aware of the attacker’s eyes, hands and feet. Awareness helps avoid adrenaline surges that tenses muscles and disrupts fine coordination skills.

• SIGNS OF ATTACK

Facial tension Clinching of fists	Intake of breath Tone of voice	Rapid eye movement Change of stance
Foot movement to gain striking distance

AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES

Avoidance procedures cover a broad range of situation with many strategies; all aiming to reach the same purpose and that is your person safety. These may cover, but not limited to:

Car Defense

Bar / Party Confrontations

Street Safety

• CAR DEFENSES

  When walking to the car you should have your keys in your hand, so that you can cut down the time to get into your vehicle.

  At the same time watching where you walk, being careful not to walk too close to other cars. That might help the attacker to trap or pin you between them, and to be used by them to camouflage themselves in the dark.

When opening your vehicle systematically search the front and back seats for intruders. While travelling to your destination, leave your doors locked to stop intruders trying to entry your vehicle.

Also do not unnecessarily stop your car in poorly lit areas where no one is around or park your vehicle in poorly lit areas of the car park.

• BAR / PARTY CONFRONTATIONS

If you are in an environment that you think might be dangerous, try to sit yourself away from walkways and place yourself near exits. Avoid being seated with your back towards walkways or at least make sure that a friend with you watches your back.

• STREET SAFETY

At night before leaving a lit building let your eyes acclimatize to the light, before entering the dark streets so you can see clearly.  When walking the street at night, many of us have our minds on other things; basically, our heads are in the clouds, so it is important to be aware of our surroundings and to be alert.

This is where the stages of awareness come into play; these are red, orange and yellow. Red being the most alert, orange is when we are relaxed but aware of the environment and surrounding and yellow is when we are day dreaming. It is best for us to be at the orange level, ready for a situation but not waiting for one to happen.

When confronted with a group of people moving towards you from the opposite way, you should bypass them by going to the outside of them choosing the side with the most open spaces if possible. If you cannot go around them, stop and move into a pretense weak position (this is when you look like as if you are calm and non-threatening but ready for an attack), such as looking at your watch to be ready in case.

Pretense Weak Position: A position that provides safety at the same time not unnecessarily escalating the situation, it must be a position that makes the subject feel that they are not threatened but sends a signal that you are ready and are in control i.e. standing sightly side on with hands cupped in front.

Consider your hand movements and gestures when communicating. Adopt a neutral position using your hands with open gestures.

If someone is behind you and you suspect they are following you, you could change direction if entering a poorly light area, cross the street, or fake an excuse to stop or let them pass. Do not have your back to a potential assailant (use your peripheral vision). You may even change to the over side of the street, to see if they follow.

Never cut the corner when walking around a building, car or any other object.  As the old saying goes, "You never know what's around the corner". So always walk out wide when turning a corner to give you a clearer prospective. 

If someone startles you by tapping you on the shoulder from behind, do not turn towards the person step out straight away to gain distance between you and them, by placing yourself into a pretense weak position. This allows you to be safe rather than sorry, as they might be an attacker, your friend, or just someone asking you for the time.  You must consider in all these circumstances, to use the same defense technique.  

USE OF VOICE

Do not try to talk your way out of a situation while still in range of a surprise attack - Practice being able to talk your way out of a situation in a strong audible voice.

Try not to be afraid or frightened to make a scene, an assailant does not want to attract attention. The voice can be used to negotiate, attract attention for help, startle, or surprise your attacker. Do not try to bluff, threaten or warn your            attacker, never use it for pleading or crying as these responses reinforce your role as a victim in both yours and the attacker’s eyes.

ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE OPTION'S AND WHEN TO USE THEM

• If help is just around the corner run away from the situation.

• You can use diversion i.e. changing to the other side of the street when being followed.

• Negotiate with the attacker to avoid a confrontation, being sure not to bluff or beg.

• If you are being vocally abused at a bar, or on the street don't take it to heart. It's better to take no action, rather than escalating the situation.

• Sometimes it comes to a confrontation and you must fight. For example, if in a bar situation, you could use tables and chairs as shields or a trolley while shopping.

FOLLOW - UP TECHNIQUES

Striking Techniques            Restraining Techniques

Running Reporting the Assaults

SELF-DEFENSE STRATEGIES

Multiple self-defense strategies lead to a better likelihood or preventing and / or escaping assault, these maybe:

• Avoidance – removing the risk,

• Awareness – limitations to the environment, self and others, and

• Technique – verbal techniques (making noise or decisive statements), physical techniques (defense or fleeing)

	Non-verbal cues indicating vulnerability	Cues that convey non-victim status
Body position and movement	A significant cluster of body movements is used to signal fear and readiness to submit. This is common in animals, where fighting is avoided by displays of aggression or submission. The body in fearful stances is generally closed and may also include additional aspects.	Use of open body language (flowing and controlled movements), Assertiveness in walking (balanced arm and leg swing and gait, fluidity, alert, purpose, and Use of spatial awareness and reactionary gap
Gestures	There are many gestures that have the primary intent of showing submission and that there is no intent to harm the other person. Hands out and palms up shows that no weapons are held and is a common pleading gesture. Other gestures and actions that indicate tension may indicate the state of fear. This includes hair tugging, face touching and jerky movement. There may also be signs such as whiteness of the face and sweating. When the submissive person must move, then small gestures are often made. These may be slow to avoid alarming the other person, although tension may make them jerky.	Limited hand movements and fidgeting, and Someone who is not easily distracted.
Head	Turning the chin and head down protects the vulnerable neck from attack. It also avoids looking the other person in the face (staring is a sign of aggression).	Head upright
Eyes	Widening the eyes makes you look more like a baby and hence signals your vulnerability. Looking attentively at the other person shows that you are hanging on their every word.	Eye contact (but not staring)
Mouth	Submissive people smile more at dominant people, but they often smile with the mouth but not with the eyes.	Maintaining a neutral lip position (not frown or grimace)
Self-protection	Hunching inwards reduces the size of the body, limiting the potential of being hit and protecting vital areas, for example hands covering crotch, In a natural setting, being small may also reduce the chance of being seen. Arms are held in. A crouching position may be taken, even slightly with knees slightly bent. This is approaching the curled-up regressive fetal position. Putting the body in a lower position shows the other person that you are not a physical threat. This can include hunching down, bowing, kneeling or even prostration. It is no surprise that these are typically used in formal greetings of a superior person. Even in sitting, a submissive person will choose a lower chair or slump in order to be lower than others. By staying still, the chance of being seen is, in a natural setting, reduced (which is why many animals freeze when they are fearful). When exposed, it also reduces the chance of accidentally sending signals which may be interpreted as being aggressive. It also signals submission in that you are ready to be struck and will not fight back.	Upright posture and open hands, People who cooperate with demands i.e. gives money Stay off your phone when travelling, When asking for directions, ask someone in a store or café, Avoid travelling alone after dark, Displaying signs of confidence i.e. dressed neatly Dress down in crime areas When travelling do not let people stop you, and Don’t follow strangers.

MULTIPLE ATTACKER STRATEGIES

When avoidance procedures of negotiating did not work, and you are confronted with two or more attackers there are several factors to consider: -

• If you are able to see all of the attackers,

• If you are not able to, can you use peripheral vision or side stepping.

• If there is an exit nearby or an escape route.

Your next concern is to not escalate the situation, this can be avoided by using a pretence weak position to draw them in, to prepare your defense and to use appropriate communication techniques.

Running is good if you can get away, but it may not always be a good idea. If they give chase and catch you when you are exhausted it will be much harder to defend yourself. Standing your ground and getting the fight over with in the shortest possible time can be to your advantage.

• SITUATION EXCARLATES TO / DEVELOPES INTO A FIGHT

When you must move, it should be to the outside of the group confronting or surrounding you. You wait for the last second so that you will have surprise on your side, and, at the same time, let out a shout (Stopping kiai) to mentally off-balance the aggressors. Then the use of a winding (Bruce Lee) kiai is used to off balance them psychologically, to conserve your energy and control your adrenaline, giving you a positive edge so you can distract them.

• USE OF A SHIELD

Once outside the line or circle of attackers, the first aggressor is taken as a shield / hostage. If possible, take out the aggressor that is closest to exits or the closest escape route. The shield is taken to protect yourself and to keep the other aggressors at a distance. In a shield position you can control the aggressor by using pressure points. When taking a shield, always move to the outside of the attackers, do not step in front of them, making yourself vulnerable for attack. Initially you can have aggressor you are controlling in a shield, direct the others in their group to stay back. Other members in the attack party will hear the pain in their voice and will most likely listen to their commands rather than yours. When the situation is too great (poor lighting and environmental conditions, multiple attackers, etc.) you then will need to threaten to hurt their friend. This psyches them out with the use of their friend's expression of pain staring them in the face and demonstrates that you are now in control of the situation.

Only drop the human shield when it is necessary, remembering to put them out of the fight. Making sure you place the shield between you at the other aggressors, this allows you to have one less attacker in the fight to worry about. When dropping the shield to the ground try to place them in front of one of the attackers. This will delay the reaction time of one attacker while you deal with the next aggressor.

• SEMI-CIRCLE MULTI ATTACK

If the group of attackers form a semi-circle around you, make sure you have them all covered with your peripheral vision. Do this by taking a small step to place yourself in a better position to view the aggressors. Don't move unnecessarily, because this could draw the attackers closer, closing the distance to soon.

• ONE OR MORE ATTACKERS ARE HOLDING

If held from behind and the attacker move in from the front, take out the guy holding you if there is enough time, then use him as a shield. If there is not enough time, take out the incoming attacker. If they get to you at the same time, try to turn the guy holding you around to one side so that only one of them can be near you, then take that one out first.

If being dragged forward, step towards one of the aggressors and then kick the other in the knee, then attack the other attacker and take them as a shield. Be mindful of the ground surface as this may impact on your ability to execute a kicking technique with accuracy.

If there are two attackers pulling you backwards by both of your arms, you first move with the attackers, then moving yourself (side stepping) behind one of the attackers. This will redirect both of them in a circular movement causing them to crash. 

• CONFRONTED BY A LINE OF ATTACKERS

When walking make sure that you do not walk between two approaching people. It is better to go to the outside of them choosing the side with the most open space if possible. If you cannot go around them, stop and move into a pretense weak position, such as looking at your watch to be ready in case. There is a group of people walking behind you, once again use your peripheral vision to gain a better view. If you are entering a poorly lit area or there is not anyone around, you. You should feign an excuse to stop and let them past, or you could change to the other side of the street. Never have your back to a potential assailant or group of assailants.

• WHEN THERE IS A GROUP AND THERE ARE NON-AGGRESSORS

When confronted by a group and one or some of them are non-aggressors, scan each person using your peripheral vision to look for signs of attack. Checking their body language will tell you if they are potential aggressors. When the argument escalates within the group, do not act too late to get out of there.

• CORNERED

When you’re cornered only two people can get to you at once. You can use the walls for support and also use them as a weapon. It also means you know that no one can get behind you. This is the ideal positioning in an elevator (the rear corner).

• CORNERED WHILST YOU ARE SEATED

When you’re cornered, whilst you are seated and two aggressors are seated either side of you. Once again, you cannot act too late to react to the situation. Look for signs of attack; tone of voice and when they start to touch you.

Do not wait for a fight to arise, turn into one of the aggressors pinning their head and arm. At the same time, keeping the second aggressor in mind, as you turn and exit from the corner, be ready with a counterattack for the second aggressor.

• MULTI-ATTACK ON THE GROUND

Within this situation there are two aggressors closing the distance to kick you, when you are lying on your back. The same principles used to stand apply to you, when you are on the ground. So, the first action or move you must make is, to move towards one of the aggressors.

This creates distance between you and the second attacker, giving you more time to take out the first. You take out the first attacker by kicking them in the knee, keeping in mind that the second attacker is closing in on you. Keep your hands up to block any attack the second aggressor may give you. Take out the second aggressor by rolling into them at the same time kicking their knee.

CONCLUSION

Remember these strategies are guidelines of self-defense; use them to your digression when confronted by an aggressive or annoying person. They could save your life! Remember when confronted:

• Remain calm and in control,

• Try to diffuse the situation verbally,

• While doing this line up targets and work out what you are going to do,

• Scan your environment and your attacker, and look for exits,

• Don't look timid (i.e. a target),

• Look assertive but not aggressive, and

• Know when you must attack or run (Understanding your physical limitations).