Being
involved in a physical confrontation can entail more than just the
physical impacts that are exchanged. What is commonly ignored (by the
majority of training methods) are the mental requirements necessary
for the student to effectively complete their defensive applications.
In addition to
being able to complete the practiced (physical) motions, the student
will often be required to “mentally” be able to apply those
technique's. Though often ignored, the ability to deal with causing
injury to another human being is something that can cause great
mental distress to those that are not experienced with those
circumstances. It's one thing to “go through the motions”, and
another to (actually) see the physical repercussions of
dislocating a wrist, elbow or shoulder (even when it's that of a
person who has attempted a physical assault upon you).
It's rare that
a system will address this aspect of being involved in a
confrontation. Beyond the legal implications (which can be
comparatively simplistic), the mental effects can be as
debilitating to one's defense as an aggressor with a higher skill
level would be.
Unless a
student has the ability to deal with those reactions, they may find
themselves hesitating, or even ceasing to complete any of the
necessary actions required to insure their physical defense.
Depending upon one's experience and/or previous training there are
numerous ways that an individual will react to the effects from the
implementation of these types of applications.
As the student
becomes more proficient with the application of their practiced
techniques and begin working on submission methods, they should begin
considering how well they can respond to the effects that their
applications will cause (upon their aggressor). As well as being able
to react and continue any necessary actions beyond any initial
injury inflicted, it may be necessary to restrain someone beyond what
one would normally presume to be adequate.
It isn't a
matter of “getting Mad” (as many instructor's attempt to instill
in their students). Anger, displaces reason and thought. There are
particular mental traits that one should be comfortable with. They
aren't necessarily the one's that students consider, but they are
important none the less.
What I present
in the following pages are considerations that should be evaluated by
every student prior to being involved with a physical confrontation.
Each will apply in every encounter to varying degrees. The student
should be aware of, and should have considered each before
they are involved in a physical confrontation.
As with anything, there
first needs to be established a foundation set of
guidelines/priority's for determining a motions acceptance
(of/for use).
The
Mental Aspects of Personal Defense
Awareness
Decisiveness
Intent
Speed
Control
Viciousness
Surprise
These traits (or
principles) are presented to make the new student aware of
what will be required of them (mentally) in the event that they are
attacked and/or placed in a position of concern for their own or
others physical safety, if not life. Though not all
encompassing, these descriptions will allow the student to consider
the mental implications of being in a Life protection situation (and
to consider any possible repercussions of any actions taken during
that altercation).
Living in the atmosphere
of modern society, it should seem that one should be free of concern
for unwarranted aggression being perpetrated against them. If this
were a perfect world, then that would perhaps be true, but that is
not the case. The world and society is nether fair, nor just. It is
made up of people who are both good, and bad. That distinction is
often a blurred line. Every Situations circumstances will dictate
what constitutes the divide between what is recognized as being
“right” and “wrong”.
The world is populated
by human beings, and those human beings are in no way perfect, or
even agreeable in most circumstances. Though commonly being raised to
believe that physical altercations are viewed as being (socially)
Bad. An individual can often become involved in/with one with
no direct intent of doing so.
Not if, but when
one becomes involved in a physical altercation, it is always in that
individual's best interest to have the ability to prove victorious in
that situation. It needs to be understood that victorious,
equates to being alive. This vital fact is often
ignored by many of the popularly taught methodologies.
To accomplish this
outcome, there are certain recognized mental traits that are
followed for a victorious outcome to be achieved. Though often
appearing obvious, these traits require recognition,
and acknowledgment for them
to become a component of one's defensive attitude
during their training.
Much
of the following text, are my own interpretations of author “Jeff
Cooper's” book (Principles of Personal Defense). His
text deals (both directly, and indirectly) with the mindset of a
Shootist (wielder of a
handgun). I have edited those passages that dealt (specifically) with
pistol-craft and have
included my own thoughts regarding the responses to a physical
confrontation. Though his text was valid (in
it's own limited
context) IMO, distinctions
were required when being applied to unarmed
confrontations.
Though
a Life Protection class will be focusing upon the serious application
of techniques that can cause/create physical damage/injury to an
aggressor, there will
often be included (some) lighthearted
banter and kidding
between fellow attendee's. Excessive strictness
can create (unnecessary) stress
for attendee's. Class attendance should be looked forward
to, not dreaded. One
of the most important principles taught to us by Oyata, was to relax.
By being relaxed, you will be faster and
will not suffer (physically) as much
if/when you are struck
during your training (as well as during an actual
altercation).
One
of this classes biggest priority's, is to emphasize the student's
understanding of how,
and why
we perform the techniques and actions in the manner
that we do. Many student's will only focus on the how
(of performing a technique/motion). It is our goal to (additionally)
emphasize the why.
This will allow the student to expand
their learning/study beyond
what is shown to them through regular class time instruction.
The following traits are
presented for the students consideration for utilization. Being
subjected to an unprovoked attack can be an unnerving situation. If
the student has not (seriously) considered all of the
Previous, Current and Post encounter details of
a confrontation, it can be an overwhelming experience.
It's an easy thing for
friends and/or family to label someone as being paranoid
for even considering their beginning to train in (any form) of
Life Protection method, but doing so is no different than wearing a
seat belt when driving a car, or a helmet when riding a motorcycle.
Both are preventative measures to possible
circumstances (yet training in Life Protection is considered
to be Paranoid ?).
The physical aspect of
performing the practiced motions is only a portion of the student's
defensive profile. The mental aspect of implementing these
motions/techniques upon another human being, and dealing with the
physical results (upon the
recipient) after having done so, can cause mental
repercussions (for the student who utilizes them).
It is not
sufficient to only acknowledge them. These repercussions need
to be expected, and accepted. Just as the physical
motions being taught need to be practiced, the mental aspects
of dealing with a confrontation, as well as the possible and
probable results from that confrontation, need to be reviewed
before being involved with a life threatening, physical
confrontation.
The following traits are
those subjects that one will be forced to invoke, or reject when
placed in a defensive situation. There will be NO time to consciously
consider each (or any) of them when that situation should
occur. Each should be evaluated/considered before any
confrontation ever occurs.
These are the commonly
encountered (though not always recognized) traits that require
recognition and consideration before and during any physical
confrontation.
AWARENESS
“The individual may
be forgiven for having been defeated, but never for having been
surprised”
Being aware, is a
trait that has commonly been pushed aside for concern over being
viewed as “paranoid”. There are differences between
the two. Being aware, is the acceptance that you could
be struck by a car, and you attempt to avoid it. Being paranoid,
is believing that you will be struck by a car, and there's
nothing you can do to prevent it.
Awareness, also
equates to alertness. To some extent (regardless of how
you choose to define/refer to it) awareness is an inherent
personality trait. But it can be learned, practiced and
improved upon. Once it is accepted that our familiar and presumably
safe environment and surroundings are in fact perilous,
we will automatically begin sharpening our senses to recognize those
threats that may encroach upon our lives.
The majority of crimes
are those of opportunity, through being “aware” you can
reduce those opportunity's (that a criminal can exploit to their
advantage).
Two rules should be
immediately evident:
Always know what's behind
you, and Pay particular attention to anything appearing to be
out of place.
It is axiomatic that the
most likely direction of an attack is going to be from behind
you. But the most common verbal confrontation (that may,
or may not escalate to a physical confrontation) will be
directly in front of you (and is commonly within arm's reach). Though being two completely different situations, those threats that
begin from the rear, should (initially) be treated as having a
greater threat potential.
The majority of victims
of violent crimes, were (initially) approached from their rearward
side (and without warning). This fact should emphasize the
need to always be aware of one's surroundings.
The individual that
anticipates that action, will tend to prevail (if attacked). Those
that don't, will commonly not.
Cats are perfect
examples of personal awareness. It is extremely difficult to
sneak-up or surprise a cat. They are keenly aware of
their surroundings. They are instantly aware of any sound or
action that occurs around them. Whether sleeping or batting a
ball of yarn around, any sudden or out of place sound
or action places them immediately on the defense and
aware of any further actions that occur around them. A cat's personal
defense takes priority over any other action that they may
make. It's a lesson worth paying attention to.
Countless examples could
be listed, but what I usually tell student's to consider, is
the 6-year old girl example. If the same circumstances
involved a 6-year old child who was alone, what would you recommend
that child do? Then do so yourself. Be Aware, Be Ready, Be
Alert.
DECISIVENESS
“Defensive
decisions that will work, are made before an attack occurs”
It is often awkward (if
not difficult, LOL),
for the average individual to respond to an instantaneous
physical threat, being made
from another individual. It is also not uncommon for the defender to
attempt to understand what the reason for the attack
is. It's important (if not vital) that the student understand and
accept that criminals do not operate out of logic! (that's part of
the reason that they are criminals). Attempting to assign
“logic” to a criminals actions, is an exercise in futility.
In regards to Life
Protection, decisiveness is similar to awareness. It also can be
exercised, and developed. To be decisive, means to make
choices, to make choices, requires options. Class is to
develop those options. Class is where options are provided,
and practiced. With the experience gained from practice, the student
is more able to make productive choices (decisions).
Failure to make a
decision, is what causes delay (a.k.a. Hesitation). In
the case of responding to a physical aggression, the maxim “he
who hesitates, is lost” most definitely applies. It
should be remembered, that the specific action taken, can also
prove to be irrelevant. By simply doing something, one
can disrupt an attacker's plan of action.
Thieves, drunks and criminals of opportunity rarely
deviate from their initial
plan. When that plan is disrupted,
they will often flee or be forced to reevaluate the situation
(allowing for an escape or counter-attack).
The common manor of
acquiring decisiveness, is through practicing optional responses to
varying circumstances (commonly done in a classroom environment).
Some individual's will argue that experience is the only real
teacher, I would agree. What these individual's ignore, is
that classroom practice is experience.
When practice with other
student's isn't possible, an alternative is to hypothesize (the
mental exercise of “what if?”). By thinking tactically in this
manner, the student can explore various tactical options/solutions
which they can (later) verify when another student is
available.
It is decisiveness that
is being practiced when student's are working together on technique
application. When a student is placed in a (real) defensive
situation, they must make tactical decisions based upon their
experience from that practice (which is why it's important to attend
as many classes as possible). When attacked, the defender has no time
to debate or delay, they must immediately react. To do so,
they must be decisive.
INTENT
“Without intent,
one's actions are pointless”
When the student is in
class, it can be difficult to envision the necessary level of
physical intent that one will need in order to persevere in a
given situation. This level of physical intent, is commonly referred
to as Aggressiveness. That term can be misleading. Very often
it is associated with rage, and when carried out with vigor,
it's referred to as being a blind
rage. It's neither of these states that are preferred, or even
desired. It is imperative that the student always maintain the
ability to think, to consider and to evaluate.
When one is experiencing a “blind rage”, none of these abilities
are retained.
The more appropriate
analogy, would be “the best defense, is a good offense”.
We utilize this principle when striking an aggressor's limbs that are
being used against us. Similar strikes are referred to as “blocks”
(by other systems). Our desire is to cause injury to the aggressor's
limbs (to lessen their desire or ability to repeat those attempted
strikes upon us using them).
The ability to
(instantly) create this level of intent (often referred to as
“aggression”),
requires practice just as with any technique or response does. The
true measure of success, is to create this
ability, and to maintain control over one's own limb's
actions. The simple ability to bludgeon,
can be acquired by a monkey. The ability to control
those actions requires cognitive, directed, thought (something
not available in a blind rage).
To develop a usable
level of aggression, (the easiest way) one needs to
first become angry. Anger will trigger a subconscious
(chemical) adrenaline dump into the bloodstream. Student's are
commonly told to direct their anger at the aggressor's
limbs. Your not angry at the aggressor, your angry at
their limbs (that are trying to hurt you). It initially sounds
ridicules, but it retards any
emotional connection to the individual.
When the student has
learned to control this trait, it is not uncommon to be
referred to as being “cold” (unemotional) during a
confrontation (or even during practice). It isn't really a
loss of emotion, it's a (momentary) disregard for it,
in favor of concentrating on the task at hand.
Practice (as with most
things, LOL) will make this ability easier to utilize. The ability to
(both) generate, and dissipate one's emotional intent
against an aggressor (even if only their limbs, LOL), is imperative
to the ability to maintain control over your own (and
therefor their) actions. When called for, generate,
then dissipate emotion as needed. Be indigent, be focused,
have intent.
SPEED
“Overwhelming
strength is useless, if it cannot be brought to bear”
Speed is determined by
the rapidity of one's application (be it by the aggressor, or
the defender). The speed of the defender's technique is determined
(more so) by when the defender chooses to begin their
defensive application, than by when an aggressor's attack
begins.
There are numerous
“warning” signs that a defender can use to aid in this
determination. Increasing one's reaction time to a situation is
directly related to when the threat is initially perceived.
Attempting to react to a
specific type of a (quite probably unknown) threat is a
difficult request to make of anyone. No two threats/aggression's are
exactly the same. The best one can do is train to respond to common
manor's of aggression, utilizing practical variations in order to
provide a variety of scenario’s that will assist the student in
responding to any similar situations.
Avoid confusing speed
with power. Though related, they are two separate (physical)
attributes. In the defensive sense, speed is how quickly ones
defensive action(s) is utilized. That can be in how fast one enacts
their (own) defensive action (including moving one's body), as well
as how quickly one recognizes the threat initially.
The ideal defense is one
that the aggression is nullified before the aggressor realizes
it. When you are attacked, your defensive motion and/or
counter-attack must be done as quickly as possible. Not surprisingly,
speed is best applied with motion that is utilized without thought.
CONTROL
“Without
establishing control, you can only have continued chaos”
The ability to remain
calm (in a violent situation) is a learned skill. It is developed by
knowledge (of what to do in a given situation). There are two
manners/forms of “control”. One is physical control (of
one's motions/actions), and the other is mental control (to
avoid panic). One's level of ability in either, can directly be
correlated to the other.
One's physical ability to
perform any specific technique is dependent upon their control
abilities (be they physical, or mental). The “key” to either
manner is the ability to remain calm. The opposite of calm, is panic.
Panic amounts to not knowing what to do in a given situation.
As with most things, knowledge is power. That power is the ability to
know what do do, and knowing what to do, gives a person
the power of control.
VICIOUSNESS
“Mercy is a luxury
of the victorious”
When you become involved
in a life threatening situation, it is imperative that your responses
and actions be devoid of any immediate remorse or concern (for their
effects upon your assailant). Your primary concern should be for your
own well-being. The time to even consider “mercy”, is only
after the aggressor has been neutralized.
An assailant is certainly
not concerned with your well-being (quite the opposite).
Whether any of the injuries you may receive are life threatening, are
of NO concern to them. Likewise, your concern
for their physical condition should be minimal (at best).
Your aggressor has
unjustly attacked you, in response to their attack you must be
brutal, you must be savage, unyielding and become victorious at all
costs. Limiting ones concern for inflicted injury, does not equate to
a (total) disregard for the consequences of your actions. If you are
involved in a Life Protection situation (when your actions have
proven successful), it should become apparent that a re-evaluation of
the situation will (then) become necessary.
SURPRISE
“Surprise can foil
the most elaborate of plans”
Surprise is commonly
associated with one's first motions (and is often the
advantage held by an aggressor). Surprise is also doing the
unexpected. It's preferable that any attempted “surprise”
be something that is productive to one's defense.
It should be noted that
by simply offering a continuous, (even when non-violent) reaction to
an attempted aggression can very often disrupt an aggressor's plans
from continuing with any further attempt being performed.
Surprise can also be
subtle, simply doing the opposite of what's expected can
produce hesitation from the aggressor. It's true that
“surprise” can cause one to hesitate or pause (in order to
evaluate it and determine an appropriate response). But don't become
dependent upon the expectation of that response. Use that time
to apply an (equally surprising) counter-attack.
Each of the listed traits
can obviously be expanded upon (depending upon the individual
situation), but each should be considered by the prospective or
currently training student during (if not prior to) their
beginning to train. To ignore the relevance of any of these traits,
is to create a weakness in one's defensive methodology. It is
impossible to train for every possible (physical) situation
that one could encounter, yet all of these (mental) traits will
be addressed (in varying degrees) during every confrontation.
