Self-Defense Blog

Almost without exception, when I get an inquiry about self-defense training it is from people wanting to learn physical techniques that will allow them to escape from someone who is bigger, stronger, faster and determined to harm them. The reality of the matter is this. The overwhelming majority of problems can be avoided through good decision making, situational awareness and by making self-defense a lifestyle. If you make yourself an easy target and do not foresee and avoid trouble before it becomes a physical altercation, your chances of prevailing unharmed greatly diminish.

It’s easy to become complacent when it comes to self-defense. But we must not forget, trouble can present itself anytime, anywhere. Here are a few things to help you keep your guard up at all times.

A college campus can be a dangerous place. Campuses are a mix of people from all ends of the spectrum. Toss in some naiveté, impaired judgement and a cast of characters with bad intentions and you have the perfect storm for trouble.

When bad people decide to do bad things to good people, they interview them first. This is an interview you want to make sure you fail. Criminals are opportunistic. They adapt and act on a moment’s notice when an easy target presents itself. Criminals will “interview,” or run potential victims through a checklist to determine if they are easy prey. Here are some common things an aggressor will look for when deciding to take action.

Calling for help seems like it would be one of the most basic, natural things one could do. You scream bloody murder and the cavalry comes running to your rescue, right? The truth of the matter is, there’s a good chance no one will hear you, and if they do, they won’t help you. Most people will not want to intervene in a violent situation, or may simply assume someone else will help.

Socializing in the presence of others is unavoidable. We all go out to eat, gather to watch sports and meet friends on the town. All of these situations put us around people we know nothing about. This becomes extremely dangerous when a conflict arises, regardless of whether or not you are directly involved. When someone gets unruly and is asked to leave an establishment, what follows can be extremely dangerous and often times is. As a general rule, if someone gets asked to leave an establishment you are in, you should leave as well.

Proximity to your attacker will dictate the hand-to-hand combatives you use to defend yourself. When your attacker is very close, punches and kicks may not be an option. Knees and elbows are excellent choices when it comes to delivering powerful blows when your attacker is very close. Here are some things to consider when making knee and elbow strikes part of your self-defense training.

If you exercise good situational awareness, you may be able to utilize verbal control to diffuse a situation before it turns physical. Verbal control is defined as using verbal communication in a forceful, definitive manner to influence a situation. Being forceful is more than physical action. A forceful presence also involves mindset, attitude and verbal communication.

One of the most important factors in determining the outcome of a confrontation is often times physical fitness. Unfortunately, fitness is often neglected in self-defense training. A solid foundation of agility, balance, strength and endurance will be needed when in threatening situations. With a little planning and consistency, fitness can be a fun, routine part of your training regimen.

Self-defense has a serious implication. The term implies that you are on the defense, reacting to someone’s aggression towards you. By definition, you are at a disadvantage. It is always slower to react than to pro act. If you are reacting you are not in control. A well-planned offense is always better than a defense. Offense does not mean that you’re attacking people at will. Rather, you are proactive in implementing a plan, diffusing situations and avoiding confrontations.