Best SelfDefense How to design the most effective

“Best” Self-Defense How to design the most effective and most appropriate self-defense combinations

Overview The purpose of this training module is to review the practicaland legal considerations pertaining toself-defense while providing instructors a paradigm for developing the best possible self-defense training curriculum for their students.

Learning Objectives n Design the most effective Self-Defense Combinations to combat common adversaries and other threats - - - Review the legal considerations pertaining to self-defense Understand the Spectrum of Conflict & Mitigation Analyze conflict situations and determine the most appropriate level of defensive retaliation Understand apply the principles of risk assessment, situational awareness, level-of-force, proportionate response, power ratio, holistic self-defense, and economy-of-motion Learn the 4 -D Methodology of self-defense Apply the 4 -D Methodology to a variety of threat scenarios Review the vulnerable points on the body and how to attack them Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of any self-defense combination

LESSON 1 Self-Defense Law

Legal Considerations Part 1 Avoid physical confrontation: If there is a safe avenue of retreat, use it. Always back away if possible. Do not appear to be the aggressor: This does not require ‘taking the first punch’, but it does require being as certain as you can be that physical contactimminent is prior to reacting. Evaluate aggravating and mitigating factors: Is there a size, age, or ability differential? Are you or the attacker armed or trained? All of these factors will help you determine the appropriate level of force. Use only the force necessary to deter the attack: This does not require the use of ineffective techniques, but rather mature reflection prior to a confrontation (i. e. during training) about what technique, including escape, is appropriate in which situation. Once the attacker is immobilized, STOP: This does not mean that you must give your attacker a “fighting chance. ” Disable them appropriately in order to facilitate your safe escape - d no more damage than necessary.

Legal Considerations Part 2 DEFENDING OTHERS When intervening on behalf of a stranger, ensure, as much as possible, that the interventionjustified is and necessary. As a rule, interference in domestic disputes is unwise and can lead to many legal complications. DEFENDING PROPERTY: In the United States, human rights are superior to property rights. The use of force in the protection of property is very risky. If confrontation is inevitable, give a warning when defending property, unless doing so would be dangerous or futile (which is often the case). You should give the aggressor notice that you intend to use force against him, in order to allow him to reconsider his position. DISCLAIMER: This summary does not represent a comprehensive legal review of the “self-defense” law in every state. Consult the professional services of an attorney for a legal opinion regarding the criminal or civil liabilities specific to your state and situation.

LESSON 2 The Nature of Conflict and Self -Defense

Key Terminology Ø RISK ASSESSMENT: The systematic analysis of the potential risks to one’s health & safety based on the consideration of environmental, human, and situational threats Ø SITUATIONAL AWARENESS: The ability to maintain alertness to the ever -changing conditions of one’s environment Ø LEVEL-OF-FORCE: A general way of gauging the relative lethality of physical attacks by evaluating techniques in terms of their ability to inflict damage or injury Ø POWER RATIO: In self-defense, the comparison between the attacker’s power as compared to the defender’s power Ø PROPORTIONATE RESPONSE: The defender’s execution of self-defense techniques that have an equal, or lesser, level-of-force than the perceived level of their attacker’s assault

Conflict & Mitigation All conflict is not created equal – different levels of violence warrant different self-defense responses The lethality of the attacker’s assault and other situational considerations should be factored into the defender’s decision-making process regarding what combination of techniques are optimally suited for any given scenario

Spectrum of Conflict & Mitigation The attacker’s objective is to exploit their victim through intimidation and/or physical violence. ATTACK Conflict Passive Aggression ANNOYANCE Punching & Kicking Wrist Grab Choke Bear Hug Verbal Threats LETHALITY Knife Attack SPECTRUM OF CONFLICT & MITIGATION Verbal Argument EVASION As the defender’s mastery of techniques increases, they improve their ability to control the attacker with less destructive power. Avoidance Joint Controls Throws Take-Downs Releases Disabling Strikes DESTRUCTION Lethal Strikes DEFENSE Mitigation If the attacker increases the lethality of their assault, the defender may increase the destructiveness of their defense.

Conflict & Mitigation Scenario 1 SCENARIO: On a busy Saturday afternoon, a person walks by you in the mall and grabs your wrist. DON’T – Execute a wrist release followed by shattering their elbow and kicking them in the groin. ISSUE: The attacker may not be a true threat (drunk, drugged, or disabled – lacking proper judgment) This overly violent response is probably not proportionate to the threat posed by the attacker. DO – Quickly assess the situation and execute a wrist release. Assertively command the attacker to “back away” (which also draws public attention) and seek additional help from security personnel.

Conflict & Mitigation Scenario 2 SCENARIO: A person suddenly comes up behind you and grabs your wrist while you are unlocking your car door. It is late at night and there are no other people in the area. DON’T – Execute a wrist release and scream for help while running away ISSUE: Though screaming may attract some attention, it is unlikely in this particular scenario. Running will just cause your attacker to chase you. When they catch you, they will be even more intent on restraining or injuring you. DO – Quickly assess the situation and execute a wrist release. Immediately knee/kick the attacker in the groin while striking multiple targets on their head. Disable them sufficiently to allow you to get in your car, lock the doors, and swiftly drive away.

LESSON 3 Designing and Practicing Effective Self-Defense Combinations

4 -D Methodology DISTRACT your attacker’s mental and physical focus (ki) by acting like you don’t pose a physical threat and/or by temporarily redirecting their attention. NOTE: If the attack is an instantaneous strike, the defender skips this step and goes directly into disarming. DISTRACT DISARM DISABLE DISAPPEAR DISARM your attacker by controlling or neutralizing their “weapons” (hold, strike, knife, etc. ) You should also simultaneously employ whatever defensive strikes (atemi) are necessary to equalize the power ratio between you and your attacker. DISABLE your attacker by sufficiently incapacitating them so that they can not pursue their attack and you can ensure your escape. DISAPPEAR from the scene and go to a safe location.

4 -D Methodology in practice DISTRACT Act relaxed and non-threatening Direct your head & eyes and/or voice to a location that will temporarily channel your attacker’s visual and mental focus away from the attack DISARM Execute a quick hand strike or kick that will further distract the attacker’s mental focus while beginning to diminish their physical energy and simultaneously… Remove the primary threat (hold, strike, knife, gun, etc. ) by controlling and neutralizing the weapon while continuing to execute strikes to vulnerable points on their body DISABLE Ground the attacker with a throw or take-down (“ground strike”) intended to “knock the wind out of them” or stun them and further diminish their physical energy Execute a “finishing blow” that will keep the attacker on the ground and make them unable to continue their attack DISAPPEAR Leave the scene as quickly as possible to avoid subsequent retaliation from the attacker or their friends. Report the incident to authorities, as necessary.

KEY PRINCIPLES

Holistic Self-Defense The attacker’s or defender'stotal power is derived from their ability to optimize the contributions of all three of these human elements BODY POWER The defender’s strategy should be to target aspects of the attacker’s body, mind, and spirit within their self-defense combination SPIRIT MIND

Economy of Motion Ø Every defensive movement of your body should have a purpose (use every physical motion you make to execute a control, strike, and/or throw - don’t waste movements) Ø Meet your attacker’s energy and direct it to where it wants to go (use their strength to your advantage by directing the motion of their techniques along the path they are already traveling) Ø The defender’s defense is often determined by the attacker’s attack (have a flexible arsenal of techniques which can be used from multiple body positions and in a variety of situations set by the attacker) Ø Perfect power is effortless(develop techniques and combinations that will be most successfulmost of the time with as little use of physical strength as possible)

Target Specific Points Kyusho Jitsu Bridge of the Nose Upper Lip Throat Solar-Plexus Eye Hair Temple Ear Canal Mid-Cheek Mid-Jaw Mid-Shoulder Hollow Collar Bone Mid-Bicep Upper-Outside Forearm Upper-Inside Thigh Groin Lower-Inside Thigh Mid-Outside Thigh Lower-Outside Thigh Strike to the Head Downward Hammer-Fist to the Bridge-of-the-Nose Kick to the Body Knee Cap Upper-Inside Leg Instep Ball-of-Foot Front Kick to the Solar Plexus Make Every Defensive Strike Count

“Target Points” - Review Bridge of the Nose Upper Lip Throat Solar-Plexus Eye Hair Temple Ear Canal Mid-Cheek Mid-Jaw Mid-Shoulder Hollow Collar Bone Earlobe Notch Rear Neck Hollow Mid-Bicep Back-of-the-Neck Upper-Outside Forearm Groin Mid-Shoulder Upper-Inside Thigh Mid-Tricep Floating Ribs Lower-Inside Thigh Side-of-the-Neck Mid-Outside Thigh Lower-Outside Thigh Elbow Tail Bone Upper-Rear Thigh Knee Cap Upper-Inside Leg Pressure Point / Nerve Plexus Bone / Joint Additional Pressure Points Kidneys Instep Mid-Calf Achilles Tendon

The “Best” Combination Sample You are walking downtown one evening after having dinner at a local restaurant with a friend. As you round the corner of a building, a young man jumps out and grabs your right wrist with his left hand while threatening to beat you with the club in his right hand. DISTRACT: Put up your left hand tell him you’ll do “anything he wants” while also further evaluating your surroundings and the developing situation Rationale: Acting submissive may allow him to feel like he’s already overpowered you / raising your left hand makes him think you are giving up, but, in reality, you are moving your free hand to a position where you can protect yourself if he swings the club / this distracting tactic may also give you a few extra seconds to better evaluate the situation DISARM: Outside-forearm block-strike with your left hand grab+securehis right arm (w/the club) while simultaneously striking his groin with a rising knee strike and a wrist-turn release from the attacker’s left hand which is grabbing your right wrist. Rising palm strike to the attacker’s chin with y freed right hand. Move outside his right arm (w/club) while extending and locking his right elbow straight. Manipulate the club out of his hand use it to hit him on the back-of-the-neck. Sweep the leg that is closest to you and drop him to the ground. DISABLE: Heel stomp to the solar-plexus. (add more strikes as necessary) DISAPPEAR: Immediately leave the area, ideally by car. Call 911 to report your attacker’s medical emergency.

LESSON 4 Instructional Tools

Teaching How to A. C. T. Awareness Avoiding a fight is usually the best self-defense “technique” Observe your surroundings Evaluate human behavior Anticipate hazards Confidence Think, feel, and look strong Protect your personal space Demonstrate the “will to survive” Techniques If you must defend, do so quickly , assertively , and Keep it simple Understand your limitations Practice often with precision

Evaluating Combinations Keep it E. A. S. I. Total Score 17 -20 = “Best Combination” Effectiveness – To what degree can the combination actually “disable” the attacker? Can’t Barely Somewhat Fairly Well Very Well 1 2 3 4 5 A daptability– To what extent can this combination be executed in a variety of different environments and situations? Non-Adaptable 1 Limited Modest Adaptable Ideal 2 3 4 5 Simplicity– How easy are the techniques and transitions for a person with about one(1) year of training? Too Complex 1 Complicated Needs Practice Reasonable 2 3 4 Perfectible 5 Influence – To what degree can the defender influence the situation by controlling the attacker’s weapons & power? Can’t Barely Somewhat Fairly Well 1 2 3 4 Very Well 5

REVIEW ü Self-Defe nse Legal C onsideration ü DEFINITI s ONS: Risk A Situational Awareness, ssessment, L Force, Power Ratio, and P evel-of. Response roportionate ü The Spect rum of Conf lict and Mitigation ü The 4 -D M ethodology ü Holistic A pproach to S elf-Defense ü Using Ec onomy of M otion ü Targeting Specific Poi nts ü Teaching How to A. C. T. ü Evaluatin g E. A. S. I. C ombination s

About the Author

Chris Poirier, Sensei n 30 years of traditional martial arts experience n Active Instructor since 1983 n Black Belts: Jujutsu (Godan), Karate (Godan), Ryu. Kyu Kempo (Nidan) n Additional Experience: Goju Ryu Karate & Kobudo, Fire Dragon Kung-Fu, Aikido, Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Judo n Instructed Military Combatives law enforcement personnel n Designed and instructed the S. S. T. program (Safety & Survival Tactics) n Developed customized self-defense seminars for: College Students, Grade-School for the Army & Defensive Tactics for Children, Teens, Military Family Members, Girls & Women, Medical Personnel, Scouting Programs, Educators, and Business Professionals cpfix@comcast. net