subject: Do You Want To Be Able To Control A Self-defense Attack? Use This 5 Phase System To Win! [print this page] No one in their right mind wants to be attacked. But, if you must physically protect yourself against an attacker in a real-world self-defense situation, wouldn't you like to be able to make sense of and control the chaos?
Well, you're not alone.
If you're like most people, you're not studying self defense to be a fighter. You're not looking to willingly place yourself in danger by entering martial arts tournaments or MMA matches.
But, the reality is that, if you cannot avoid conflict using passive, non-physical, self defense tactics, techniques, and strategies...
You will have to fight back to win your freedom and safety!
While most people see a fight as a chaotic jumble of actions with little rhyme or reason, there is actually a scientific way to control the encounter and the attacker. Once we are forced into a situation where we must physically fight our assailant, the encounter will move through 5 generally definable phases - each with it's own focus and strategy.
The 5 phases of an effective and scientific self defense strategy are:
1) Observational Awareness. In this phase, we watch our attacker's pre-attack actions and movements in order to discern what he is trying to do. Instead of focusing on our own favorite technique, fear of what might happen, or any other distraction, we watch him to see what he is really doing.
2) Defensive Response. Here, we avoid, ride-off, or block his incoming attack. The focus here is not in doing anything "to" the attacker, but instead to neutralize the force and damage that he's trying to create. The principle here is that of, "If he can't hit you, he can't hurt you. And, if he can't hurt you - he can't beat you!"
3) Disrupt and Unbalance. Instead of merely trading blows like testosterone-laden cavemen, we wait and look for an opportunity to unbalance our attacker - mentally, physically, emotionally, or a combination of the three. The strategy here is to make it difficult for your attacker to continue on in a way that benefits him. Then, and only then, do you earn the privilege to...
4) Apply Your Technique. Once the attacker is distracted, confused, or physically locked down so that he can't attack, escape, or carry out his attack - at least for the moment - we take the fight to him! This phase could be limited to a simple counter attack that convinces him that you won't be an easy target, all the way to immobilizing, restraining, or otherwise incapacitating him.
5) Observational Awareness. This is not a misprint and, while the observing mind is ever-present throughout the foray, at this phase we watch and check to see what effect, if any, our self defense actions had on the attacker. We look to see if he is down for the count, running away, or getting set to deliver another attack. If he's done, then we can get on with our own business. If he's getting ready to start again, then this phase becomes phase #1 in the next round.
By understanding how to control a fight situation, we can be more calm and focused when under attack. By being aware of what phase the fight is in, we will be better prepared to know what techniques to apply, rather than just throwing "something" and hoping for the best.
