They are in no particular order:
1. Self Awareness: Always be aware of yourself and in particular your composure when you are out and about... This speaks volumes when a potential attacker is deciding on who to target in the first place.
2. Expect the unexpected: No one can tell you what is likely to happen if you face an attack... Everything is a potential “what if?” Your best response to this is to have a neutral base from which you can deal with the unexpected
If you have thought about this previously as suggested at the top, you will have a goal to survive, unscathed and this can be the base from which you respond to the unexpected and it will self-govern your natural responses.
3. A relaxed, yet alert mind and body: You definitely don’t want to go around thinking “I could be attacked any minute now”. If you do, the stress will be immense... However you want to be alert – in a state where you can react instantly should the need arise.
To put this into effect, you only have to intend to do so... You could say to yourself “I am relaxed but alert”.
4. Change of state: In the instant you sense danger. You need to switch to defense mode... If an attack is not underway but all the signs are there, then this change of state may be as simple as making eye contact and letting the assailant know he is in more danger than he thinks. Because you are not going to let him off lightly.
If the attack is already underway, you can communicate a change of state with solid stances, loud intense kiai with the aggression to match (not anger).
5. Preparation: This simply means you need to take all the steps listed here and practice, role play and internalise them... With friends and Family who are willing. But definitely with other members of your Martial Arts club/Dojo.
6. Your survival is key: The overruling principle has to be that you live to tell the tale. This determines your choices from the outset when you are faced with danger... Survival means you don’t take chances – You make sure!
Do this:
- Strike to put em down.
- Presume there may be others lurking around the corner.
- And, definitely stay away from the ego that says “I’m gonna beat you up slowly”... No! Execute and get out of there.
Sometimes it is to take out the little guy... But in another case, you have to take out the big guy to put the ‘fear of God’ into the others.
An out of the box way to look at this is: What if I gave them what they wanted – money, jewellery etc... It doesn’t mean you are their friend. But it buys you thinking time and possibly an escape route.
8. No mercy - at your expense: If you find yourself in a situation where you have taken out one or more assailants and they are pleading for mercy... You have to seriously consider that mercy could mean risking your life!
Only consider mercy when your escape is absolutely accomplished... Not before.
9. It is still 80% mental: In competitions and in the dojo we are continually taught that it is a mental game... Remember this... You’ll need to think on your feet, in the air and on the ground.
An example – You are knocked to the ground and are being kicked by two guys... Naturally you cover up... Well, you can’t just stay there (or play dead). They will not stop until you are no longer moving.
‘Thinking on the ground’ You could:
- Grab one leg and sweep the other – this get’s one person on the floor, giving you vital seconds to rise to your feet and it is 1 on 1 while the other guy recovers... This gives you the ‘run!’ option or at least resets the clock for you to carry out your plan b.
- Through your guard, you sight a groin and hit HARD with a kick or punch... A sure game changer.
- Execute an escape technique; consisting of rolling out of there if you can. Failing that, rolling into a position where you can use your legs for a continuous barrage of kicks aimed at both assailants. Yes, you might concede a hit or two while moving into the position. But you will slow them down... Buying you some all important time.
The goal here will be for everyone to survive, preferably unscathed. The nine previous lessons will be invaluable here... In particular the ones where you remain relaxed, think on your feet and attack the nucleus.
In addition to that, you’ll need to maintain a ‘sweeper’ position... This means don’t get into any individual scraps if you can avoid it... You want to protect your loved ones and throw what is necessary to keep your assailants at bay.
If you can get your loved ones to a safe position where they can’t be got at easily... All the better... This gives you time to deal with the attackers in a more efficient way.
Bonus item - Use what you got:
Here, the goal is simple... Yes you are a Martial Artist... but in a situation which is self defense... If the opportunity to end a potential threat by cracking a bar stool or any other object within reach on your attackers head is available... Then my advise is to take it... ~Get out of there in one piece. Then go explain why you did it later.
Don’t stand there squaring off when your attacker clearly has a ‘no rules’ I’m gonna hurt you policy.
There you have it... My 10 self defense considerations. Note: that’s all they are considerations. Consider, practise, role play and internalise what will help you, before you’ll ever need them.
Remember, your mind and how you think will always be your greatest asset in any situation... Going through these considerations can act as a mental and physical rehearsal before the need ever arises. Be safe!
All the best
Paul.
Copyright Paul Adjayi 2013 ©
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