In December’s article (Self Defense and Jiu Jitsu) I introduced some of the self defense focus that will take place in 2016’s articles. I brought up some important concepts to keep in mind when training for real world application. For today’s piece, I’m going to explore each concept with a little more detail and examine if and where I may be leaving anything out. I am 100% sure there are other ways to label the concepts, and many ways to come to similar conclusions, and (just like martial arts in general) many other correct and different interpretations. That is why martial arts, combat techniques, and applicable self defense requires lifelong study. Fighting technique will forever build upon the deep knowledge of its roots, while constantly evolving to include multiple viewpoints, societal changes, and technological advances.
Regardless of the century-to-century and decade-to-decade evolution of the arts, as well as what types of situations or weapons different eras and environments may have us face, the following concepts are always of utmost importance: awareness, range, mobility, restraint, and the element of surprise. Let’s take a first level dive into each and see where that leaves us. Today’s article should get readers thinking about how many aspects there are to building a complete understanding of self defense. It is far more intricate than the already complex world of fighting. This is because it includes much more than the fight itself.
Awareness
Awareness, in self defense teachings, is most often thought of as awareness of our surroundings. This is without a doubt one of the best things to be explored, and consciously practiced, for anyone interested in creating a better sphere of safety around themselves and those with them. Just a few of the things to constantly be aware of are escape routes, familiar and unfamiliar faces, behavior of those around, objects and environmental dangers or tools, familiarity of the neighborhood or location, and sensory obstruction. It doesn’t begin and end with this type of situational awareness, however; it also includes knowledge of other details that may come into play in a self defense situation. This might be your personal knowledge of weaponry, styles of combat, or the history of violence in a given area or community.
Demeanor
I like the term demeanor because it can include many important aspects of our personal feelings, their presentation, and others’ perception of them. Attitude is important when it comes to self defense, for example. However, it doesn’t stop there. To have a certain attitude is one thing, but how we present it, and how others receive it is even more important. You may have a positive attitude that in an unfamiliar group of people comes across as cocky and arrogant (even if you did not intend it to). In some groups this may lead to being challenged or someone wanting to “take you down a notch”. I like to consider demeanor over all. Demeanor includes our attitude, but also our behavior and presentation of our attitude. Since demeanor includes this outward presentation of ourselves, it also must include mentally holding up a mirror and considering how others may be perceiving this presentation.
These first two concepts are the most important in avoiding a need for self defense fighting techniques in the first place. By staying aware and presenting yourself purposefully in a humble but confident, non-combative but formidable fashion you can take yourself out of the selection process for many potential attackers. This is due to the opportunistic mentality of most would-be aggressors. Read this blog on the The Predator Mindset to better understand a typical predatory pattern of the streets.
Range
My colleague, Michael Zoupa, discussed a bit about how range plays into self defense in an article back in October (The Longest Yard). Not only does this concept relate to the range between us and an aggressor, which will certainly dictate what combative techniques may come into play, but also quite a few other ranges that will be crucial in a real world self defense situation. For example: range of escape routes, range of any help or assistance, range of others that we intend or may need to protect, range of potential weaponry, range of escalation, or the range of potential additional attackers. Unfortunately, self defense requires much more consideration than a one-on-one fight or contest of skills. It is hardly successful if you manage to stop an aggressor, knocking them unconscious, but your range of escape to safety includes 50 feet of pushing through a crowd of his best friends. By understanding both the range of the escape route, as well as the closer and interfering range of those potential additional attackers, you may decide on a much more diplomatic self defense response even in the face of close range aggressor.
Mobility
Our ability to move is absolutely essential to self defense. This includes our mobility within our immediate space, as well as our mobility to escape the scenario. It includes the attacker’s mobility also. Both immediate mobility (e.g. would they have to jump over a counter or table to attack you?), as well as their mobility (at any given point in time) to chase, follow, close the distance or interfere with an intended escape. Noteworthy as well is any immediate or potential weapons and how they may affect mobility.
Restraint
Last week’s article (Situations That Call for Restraint) went deep into this particular concept, as it applies to self defense. Please link back to get a more fleshed out version of this. The short version is that this refers to both the physical aspect of restraining an aggressor or being restrained by one, as well as the mental aspect of choosing to use or not use levels of restraint in damage or violence.
The Element of Surprise
There are many ways to achieve this, but regardless of how you can make it a tool to wield, it is the best tool to have in any defensive situation. Regardless of combative style, technique, or response, very little is as effective as using whichever one will be unexpected and unaccounted for. I picked this up as a definitive answer from Fred Degerberg. As head of security across a number of tough Chicago venues and a personal bodyguard to many local celebrities during those years, people often ask him what technique or style is the best for self defense or in dangerous situations. I have heard him answer with a handful of different disciplines, weapons, and techniques that stood out as effective on the street and in different scenarios, but I’ve always heard him conclude with the same answer: no matter what, the technique that provides the element of surprise is the one that is most likely to turn the tables.
(A solid Head Butt is almost always a bit of a surprise, especially when done correctly or in combination)
Readers, please feel free to comment and let us know your thoughts on what we are including or missing from these discussions on self defense. We will continue to dive deeper into each of these concepts above (as we did for the concept of restraint last week), to investigate specific techniques that work in different situations, and include theories and responses that come from the different arts themselves. As this expansion from the pure BJJ journey and competition mindset stemmed from feedback from our audience we certainly want to entertain all of the areas that pique your interest.
Image credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdfqc5WEoKs
Image credit: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2015/02/05/how-to-develop-the-situational-awareness-of-jason-bourne/
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