DISCUSSIONS
Understand and can adapt
Remember that purpose (the WHAT) drives the HOWS. There isn’t a universally right way to do things—it all depends on WHAT the question is and your intent. Once you understand the context, it becomes much easier to determine whether the HOWS effectively answer the question or if there’s a better way to approach the task.
Take a simple activity like stretching. If your goal is to develop maximum flexibility, your stretching method will differ from stretching simply to protect your muscles for sport. Similarly, warm-ups for improving overall health are quite different from warm-ups before leaving home.
For health purposes, improving blood circulation to the organs, joints, and core is crucial. However, for fall prevention or self-defense, the focus should be on activating muscles for strength, speed, and quick reflexes.
Keeping distance
It is crucial to maintain distance between yourself and an aggressor. Avoid standing within arm’s or leg’s reach, as even the most skilled individuals may struggle to defend themselves at such close range.
It’s also important to conceal any signs of stress or fear. Instead of visibly backing away, you might pretend to have suddenly remembered something and casually walk off at a perpendicular angle to the aggressor’s path. Avoid turning your back—keep them in sight using your peripheral vision to stay aware of their movements.
Priorities
Frustration and anger need an outlet, but acting on them impulsively is not a good habit. There are reckless drivers everywhere, but you can’t “teach everyone a lesson”—nor is it your responsibility to do so.
In life, some things are worth protecting, while others are best let go. The last thing you want in your final moments is to think, “I don’t even know why I got into that fight…”
And it’s not always a stranger on the street—sometimes, it’s the people you love most, like your spouse or children. Learning to release an emotional outburst through a deep breath is far better than acting on it. With your kids, sometimes all you need to do is listen, rather than telling them what you think they should do. In moments like these, your response could change the entire course of their life.
SCENARIOS
Many people believe that self-defense must involve violence—such as a kick to the groin or a stab to the throat. However, these techniques are meant for much later stages of confrontation.
There are many situations where reacting with violence is entirely inappropriate, such as:
- Your boss is a little drunk at the office Christmas party.
- You were roughhousing with your brother or kids.
- Children are playfully jostling while lining up.
In most cases, if someone escalates a situation inappropriately, the so-called “victim” may end up being the one in trouble.
Effective self-defense techniques up to this point should be effortless, and often, non-aggressive or non-confrontational. However, avoiding escalation does not mean failing to respond. You must still redirect the person’s attention and position yourself strategically to maintain mobility and options.
Scenario – wrist grab (one hand, same side crossover high grip)
Common mistakes – attempt to resist and yank to get off, missing thumb wrap action, bad alignment, tension
EXERCISES
Jump but not really – this is a way to train your nervous system on how to land on your feet – ball of the foot, whole foot, bend the knees and hip.
Jump from a straight leg position – the only muscle group you can use are the feet and calves. This is important to eliminate the preparation step of first bending the leg. While this exercise requires you to jump from a leg straight position, you must be careful to land using the ball of the feet, whole foot and then bend those knees and hips.
Double step – this exercise is train your response when you trip because on uneven pavement etc.