But what if they fight back?

Dear Sirs,

I’m very disappointed in you 60 minute Self Defense Program, it seems like most if not all your “defenses” don’t account for the person fighting back.” -Dave M.

Thanks Dave, it’s much appreciated because you bring up a big misconception about about self defense and martial arts. Martial arts have conditioned us to believe that what you’re seeing in the ring is a fight. But you’re not. What you’re seeing is only SYMBOLIC of a fight and there’s where the two part ways. 

Self defense as taught by martial arts, is a counter-move or specific defense formula that is based on SPORT FIGHTING. That’s the “if he attacks me with this move, then I counter with this defense” equation. This seems to work in the dojo, but it FAILS in the street because of one simple reason…it’s not a competition.

What’s the difference between a FIGHT and a COMPETITION?

A fight is where the people involved are trying to MURDER or RAPE each other a competition is a consensual test of skill based on a specific set of rules at an agreed time.

That’s it.

It doesn’t matter where the altercation is – as long as the intent of one of the participants is to murder the other one…it’s a fight. 

Two people can get into a bar fight or a “street fight” but if they’re not trying to RAPE or MURDER each other…it’s still a competition. It’s depends on the INTENT of the assault.

Now that we understand INTENT of an attempted rape or murder we can move on to the next aspects of a REAL fight.

Instead of going through the usual list of “martial arts have rules” let’s get into the mindset of your attacker.

In the street there are two primary situations:

1. You’re being mugged or robbed (your attacker wants to take something from you)
2. You’re being assaulted, raped or murdered (your attacker wants to cause SEVERE injury or death)

Why does your attacker pick you?

1. You have something he wants.
2. He is confident that he can get it from you with minimal resistance.
   1. When we say “minimal resistance” he feels he will not be CAUGHT, IDENTIFIED or INJURED
3. He has a plan of attack that does NOT considering your resistance. Yes, he expects some protest, but not a knock-down, drag out fight.

Make no mistake, there’s not a bully or criminal out there who got into a situation thinking someone was going to fight back…I mean REALLY fight back. If they thought that, they would simply move on to an easier target.

Your attacker is not only planning on succeeded, in his mind…it’s a forgone conclusion.

The ONLY two ways to WIN any fight.

He Quits.

Every situation comes down to a RISK vs. REWARD formula.

In this case, is the value of what your attacker wants worth being CAUGHT, IDENTIFIED or INJURED. There will come a point in your resistance that your attacker will think it’s not worth it.

Every time you FIGHT BACK you increase the chances of him breaking contact because as soon as it doesn’t go as planned – he will reevaluate the risk vs reward and that assessment is a matter of SECONDS not MINUTES.

Most times a few seconds of resistance is all it takes to stop an attack. This article talks about this fact.

You Finish Him.

You continue your attack until the threat is STOPPED. You keep going until the threat no longer has the potential ability to cause you or your loved ones ANY harm.

The “SECRET” to winning EVERY fight (and why we don’t care about him “fighting back)

1. Attack FIRST – once his intention to attack you is revealed (and it’s not too complicated to do this) ATTACK.
2. KEEP ATTACKING – do not stop which means you must:
   1. Control the pillars of self defense – MOMENTUM and BALANCE.
      1. Momentum – keep taking ground and moving forward.
      2. Balance – maintain yours, destroy his.
   2. Don’t allow him to “set up”. In order for him to deliver a meaningful attack, he needs to put his body weight behind the assault. Don’t confuse reacting to fighting back – when he covers up HE’S YOURS – TAKE HIM!
3. Use Equalizers – Empty hand techniques are the LOWEST for of self defense, weapons are KING and were developed to make your job easier, so use them.

There are only two people in a FIGHT – the one attacking and the one being attacked…don’t be the second person. A real fight isn’t a “give and take” sparring match. It’s one person trying to dismantle another person regardless of what that person does.

In a typical self defense class – one person attacks and the other defends – in the street – one person attacks and KEEPS ATTACKING until the other person is a quivering mess. 

All that matters is POSITION, DISTANCE and how much and how fast you can deliver damage. When someone swings at you, you react – you move, you duck – in that split second, you’re not thinking of attack – now comes another attack and it connects…the PAIN hits, followed by another assault and another…FIGHT OVER.

Don’t be the target – BE the attacker.

Train Honestly,

Damian