Hello all:
*bows deeply*
My definition of 'self-defense' is perhaps different than many people's definition.
Ideally, I do not want to resort to physicall skills to defend myself. It would be too late if the situation has progressed (or regressed) to that point. Asking what style/system is the best for self-defense clearly has physical skills in mind IMO.
"The best defense is no be there."
~Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid 1
My first line of self-defense is 'not to be there at all'. To that end here are some concepts for your consideration:
1) The Three S's (sometimes known as The Four S's):
avoid STUPID people doing STUPID things at STUPID places (at STUPID times)
If you avoid places where there is a high probability of violence, you would have defended yourself e.g. bars, theaters, subway/train stations past midnight, group of young kids drinking beer at a park, etc.
2) Awareness and Avoidance
One should develop their Environmental Awareness as well as Situational Awareness.
A quick example of EA: You walk down a street where it's bottlenecked in one spot. It's dark and has no streetlamps and it's nighttime. Not saying there are predators in hiding, but why risk it, just avoid it altogether and take a different route.
A quick example of SA: You are short of cash, you want to go to an ATM to withdraw some pocket money. Right in front of the bank are a bunch of young men hanging around. That situation screams potential mugging to me. Even if I'm wrong, and I may be inconvenienced by looking for another ATM, I need not have to put myself into a situation where I would need to defend myself.
Once your Awareness is developed, Avoidance will be easy.
Related to Awareness is the use of what some instructors in the RBSD (Reality-Based Self-Defense field) use called "Color Codes of Awareness" based on Col. Jeff Cooper's Color Codes. Some use four colors, some use five... what matters most is that there are levels for progressive alertness/awareness states. The lowest level usually called 'Code White' - the person in Code White is totally oblivious to their surroundings, they are usually 'task fixated' (as Craig Douglas calls it). The person is so focused on playing a game on their cellphone or texting that they are clueless a Predator has decided to "Interview" (as Peyton Quinn calls it) them.
Next level up is Code Orange, where you are somewhat aware of your surroundings and continually scanning around. Just the mere act of moving your head slowly from side-to-side scanning your environment will be picked up by a Predator and you will be passed over for an 'easier victim.' Predators want it easy, they do not want their victims to put up a fight. Like many military tactics, the Predator will attack your blindside which is anywhere if you are stuck in Code White.
The upper colors/levels progressively are more aware than the previous ones, to the point of "Decision" and "Action."
I would be remiss if I didn't mention Running as an option for Avoidance. If you can Run, by all means take off. Don't stay there.
I can go on but it's getting long. Some of these points if practiced should exponentially improve your ability to defend yourself. More can be said of Verbal De-escalation skills, Weapons, Improvised Weapons, Partner working as a Team, etc.
Hope you need not ever have to get into a situation where you have to resort to physical skills.
Just some rambling thoughts.
Very truly yours in the MA and SD,
~sg
Originally Posted by wiz cool c
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