When self-defence is mentioned, the average person usually expects some mystical technique or power that will enable the person that knows it, to neutralise any opponent - and even a number of opponents - without any effort. In the minds of a large number of people these techniques can usually be found in the martial arts.
The average martial artist thinks that he would be able to defend himself in nearly any situation, and even that he would be able to handle a number of attackers at the same time. Although technique - whether punching, blocking, kicking, throwing or a lock - may form part of a self-defence strategy, it is by far not the only element of self-defence.
A complete self-defence strategy should consist of a number of elements, namely knowledge of the attitudes and thinking patterns of the attacker, knowledge on how situations that require self-defence usually develop, the correct attitude and mental approach in such a situation, the knowledge of self-defence techniques that are efficient, and correct body conditioning to enable you to perform the techniques at the required level.
Self-defence, in a broader perspective, consists of a number of disciplines of protection which would include, inter alia, the locks and alarm systems installed in houses, protective clothing worn by policemen and soldiers, and protection of vehicles by armouring them. The discipline concerned with the utilization of various weapons for self-defence is also comprehensive.
It is obvious that a discussion of any number of self-defence disciplines falls outside the scope of this thesis. This thesis will concentrate on an approach for self-defence on a personal basis. It is clear that, as with a lot of other subjects in life, there will be different views on the matter based on the personal outlook and experience of the individual involved.KNOWLEDGE OF THE ATTACKER
For the average person affected by an attack, for whatever reason, it appears as if these incidents happen on a random basis and the callousness and viciousness of some of the attacks defy explanation. Although all persons that attack another person are not hardened criminals as such, their conduct is criminal, and I am of the opinion that the same basic mindsets apply as those applicable to criminals. To understand and prepare oneself it is important to take a look into the mind of a criminal.
Massad Ayoob indicates the following with regard to mindset of criminals:
1. They regard human beings that conform to society as a resource, to be harvested like corn or complacent livestock for their bounty.
2. Psychiatrists call them sociopaths. Sociopaths don't really care about other people. They see people as a resource, as food as it were. A sociopath criminal feels that he does it for the greater good of himself. The suffering of his victims does not concern him. He is isolated from them. He feels that he has his own problems that drive him to this lifestyle; the agony he causes to others is simply their problem. He murders, assaults and rapes with no more compunction than the manager of a local grocery store ordering stocks for his shop.
3. The predatory people don't think like normal people.
Clive Murphy indicates that attackers are driven by the following:
1. The first group attacks for financial gain. Ninety five percent of attackers in this category will have weapons to intimidate you. However, they do not plan to use the weapon. The main aim of this group is to your take your possessions to provide for their needs.
2. The second group attacks to obtain resources to gratify a physical need. These persons usually operate in isolated areas and usually require your possessions to gratify an immediate need, like money to buy drugs and liquor.
3. The third group is attackers with a domination need. This group is super violent and feels that another group, or someone else, has put them down. The main aim of this group is to experience your fear and submission for as long as possible. They will therefore isolate you by moving you to a secondary location and if you submit to their demands, they will start escalating the violence.
From the aforementioned it is clear that there can be large variations in the motivation of different groups of attackers, but that they have one trait in common: they are only interested in satisfying their own needs, no matter what the consequences or the impact of their conduct on their victims.
KNOWLEDGE OF THE COURSE OF AN ATTACK
Most victims of an attack feel that the attack takes place ran
domly. This is not the case. Attacking another person involves taking a risk, as the attacker may be hurt. He could, for instance, be shot and put in jail. Attackers are afraid of being hurt. They fear the police, police dogs and people with weapons. To minimise their risks they plan their attacks and select their victims. In this process, certain opportunities to prevent and nullify an attack are presented.
Clive Murphy describes the following four phases through which an attack usually goes:
1. The first phase is the selection process. This is out of your control and will be done according to generic selection criteria e.g. the car that you drive or the colour of your hair. The attackers will take the way of least resistance and if they want your car, they will follow you home. The attackers will determine whether you display a victim profile.
2. The second phase is the evaluation phase. The attackers will determine whether you fit the victim profile. They will walk into your personal space and observe your response; if you have a submissive response, they will select you. They will also test you physically by bumping into you, or verbally through sudden inappropriate dialogue. It is important to again determine whether you fit the victim profile or not.
3. The third phase of the attack is the demoralisation phase. In this phase they will rush and intimidate you. The attackers will make their demands and defeat you mentally and physically by playing mind games to get you to submit. The attackers are professional liars and intimidators.
4. The fourth phase is the need fulfilment phase. The attacker has gained control of you and is in charge. There is often a clear change in the attacker's approach and the edge to intimidate and control you, comes off. The attacker therefore relaxes and his focus changes. It is clear that this change in conduct presents opportunities to get out of the situation.
MENTAL APPROACH TO SELF DEFENCE
From the information supplied in the above paragraphs it is clear that your mental state plays an important part in an attack situation. This can be divided into two main parts, namely the situation before and during an attack. The first part is before the attack and entails the following:
1. Firstly it is important to not be selected as a victim. If you are in a state where it is clear that you are not paying attention to what is happening in your environment, you are displaying a victim profile. It is important to keep your head up at all times and observe your environment. Utilise your knowledge on the conduct of attackers and the attack situation to look for pre-incident indicators. It is important that you trust your gut feel in this regard.
2. Secondly is your reaction when you are tested. It is important to decide beforehand how you will react if a stranger enters your personal space uninvited. In the heat and surprise of the situation there will not be time to decide on an appropriate response. The response should be a clear and non-negotiable statement. It is important to remember that the attacker will always base his final judgment on whether you are a victim or not on your body language.
An attack is taking place because there where either no observable indications of the attack, or the indications had been missed and it is time to react. In this regard the following:
The first problem that you will be confronted with is what is called the generic victim conflict, namely: are you going to resist or not. Although the final decision will be made on the basis of the situation, it is important that the decision and possible reaction be thought trough before the time because it will not be possible in the stress and distractions of an attack. This is a difficult decision because of the risks involved in resisting. It is important to have your priorities right in this situation. It is better to lose a possession, that can be replaced, than risk injury that may cripple you for life.
The first reaction is to escape immediately by walking or running away. According to research presented by Clive Murphy, this approach can be used in about 90% of attack situations.
The second reaction is to feign submission by taking on a submissive posture. The next step is to hand over the objects that the attacker demands from you. Step away slowly, staying in the submissive posture until you are outside of contact distance, then turn away and run. This reaction will be applicable in about 8% of attack scenarios.
Reaction three is to resist and attack the attacker. It is important to note that this approach should be utilised as a last resort only, when an attacker is already using a weapon on you or is blocking your only escape route. The techniques discussed in the next part can be utilised to attack your attacker. It is important to only fight until you can escape. During this process improvised weapons and, for instance, pepper sprays can be utilised. PRE-EMPTIVE TECHNIQUES
The pre-emptive techniques discussed below were generally determined as effective in a fight. However, the techniques should be performed on the basis of the following principles:
1. If time allows, adopt a stance that - to the uninformed - appears submissive but is, in fact, a very effective 'ready' stance. The stance entails the raising of your open hands with the palms forward, almost as in the traditional cowboy 'hands-up'position. The position of the hands will depend on the distance from the attacker. For this purpose three distances are applicable, namely kicking distance, punching distance and close-up. With kicking distance the hands should be about shoulder width apart, with punching distance the hands should be in front of the face, with the one hand a little more forward than the other. These hand positions also control the situation to the extent that it suggests certain targets to the attacker.
2. The technique to be performed will be determined by the distance from the target.
3. It also important that the technique should be in relation to the threat. The eyes should for instance not be attacked unless your life is in danger, since such an attack may blind the attacker.
4. The principle that applies is that closest weapon attacks closest target.
5. The aggressor's body language should be observed closely to determent whether he is going to attack, in which case a first strike should be made. Telltale signs are, for instance, the colour of the aggressor's face - e.g. a white face indicates that he is at the peak of readiness and a red face that the peak has passed. The body posture and language should also be observed carefully to determine signs of training in for instance martial arts, boxing or concealed weapons. With regard to a hand in a pocket or a hand concealed behind the back, it should be accepted that it conceals a weapon like a knife.
6. Self-defence encounters are usually very violent, but have a short time span. Preparation should therefore be made to meet this violence but you should also be ready to deliver a high number of punches in a very short time span. The first strike attack should therefore be followed up immediately with a continuous, fast and uninterrupted attack, until the attacker is neutralised.
7. Although the attack should be fast and continuous, it should also be efficient and effective. It should therefore be accurate and aimed at definite targets. The vulnerable parts of aggressors, where a strike would have the biggest impact, should be attacked.
8. It is also important that the techniques should be simple and straightforward because the more complicated they are, the bigger the risk of forgetting them or doing them incorrectly.
The following nine techniques are generally considered efficient and affective first strike techniques. They should al be performed from the ready stance discussed above:
1. For close distance fights, deliver an empi strike to the jaw or the side of the face.
2. Deliver a hooking elbow strike diagonally downwards, from the cheekbone in the direction of the opposite side of the jawbone.
3. Kick the top part of the front foot upward in a snapping motion into the groin of the aggressor. Do not pull the foot back as if a mae-geri is going to be performed.
4. Deliver a forward kekomi kick to the upper part of the leg.
5. Strike the opponent's nose, side of his face or jaw with the open palm of your hand.
6. Strike the opponent on his throat with the hand open, using the part of the hand between the thumb and the forefinger.
7. Strike the eyes with the fingers of the open hand, like the strike of a snake.
8. Push the thumbs into the eyes; hold the thumbs nearly parallel to the forefinger; the fingers should end up next to the head of the attacker.
9. Strike the nose of the opponent with a tetsui strike motion, but rip the action down by bending the knees.
PHYSICAL PREPAREDNESS
Considering the fact that it will be required that a lot of punches and kicks should be delivered in a very short time span, it is of utmost importance that the self-defence techniques should be based on an acceptable level of fitness. It is clear that this subject, in itself, can form a whole separate thesis.
We are again confronted with the situation that there can be lot of different views on the matter, so the following is one possible approach. One of the approaches that can be followed is to do combat fitness training which can involve the following approaches:
1. An approach can be followed where the class is divided into two groups. The one group has punching bags and the other group takes up position on the other side of the dojo. This group does, for instance, 10 push-ups, runs over to the group with the punching bags and do five punches with each hand and five kicks with each foot on the bag; they then run back to the starting point and do push-ups again. This exercise can be done in rounds of 1, 2 or 3 minutes, depending on the fitness level of the persons involved. Rounds should also be done to exercise different muscle groups, like the legs and abdominals.
2. The exercise routines of using one's own body weight to obtain fitness and strength as described by e.g. someone like Matt Furey, can also be utilised. Some of the exercises that come to mind are Hindu squats and push-ups, and breathing and abdominal exercises.
3. Regular work on a heavy punching bag is also important. This exercise should again be done with a very high intensity to prepare for the possible real life situation.
4. Exercises to strengthen the body, like slapping and controlled punching, will contribute to strengthening and preparing the body for possible punches in an encounter.
Godan Thesis
Gert Oelofsen
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. The Truth About Self Protection - Massad Ayoob
2. Presentation on self-defence - Clive Murphy
3. Information given during numerous training sessions by my Sensei, Pierre Jordaan
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