Proactive Self Defense

[Damian (Instructor)]

I got a question from a corrections officer with concerns about use of force, excessive force and liability issues if he used SDC methods at work.

He classified what we do as “Proactive Self Defense” but in reality we don’t do proactive anything, we are simply reacting against an aggressor BEFORE the actual technique is thrown based on his body language, shift in weight and attitude.

As a kid we were taught to “wait until he throws the first punch.” While in the grown up world that first punch will lead to a second, a third and then a boot stomp.

Would you let Mike Tyson throw the first punch?

Exactly, but you wouldn’t attack him unprovoked either.

Nothing happens in a vacuum. The series of events that lead to an altercation MUST be taken into consideration and are taken into consideration by the LAW.

If someone is threatening you on the internet and then shows up at your house, you have the right to protect yourself, even if he doesn’t make an aggressive move towards you.

If you have an inmate with a history of violence and he is non-compliant you can use force to control him.

Now if it’s someone approaching you on the street with evil intent and you try to walk away from him, when he follows you you have the right to use force to protect yourself.

What we do at the SDC is stop the conflict right before the actual punch, stab, etc – THIS IS COMPLETELY JUSTIFIABLE.

Make no mistake, before someone uses force they will tip their hand – you just need to know what to look for. Like I mentioned before, if you’re approached, let’s say you’re going to your car and someone comes up to ask for directions and you tell them you don’t know and keep walking and then the follow you…what do you think they REALLY WANT.

At that point you need to take action.

Like I said before, one shot is all they need to open you up. One, leads to two, leads to three, leads to FLOOR.

There is no Proactive Self Defense, its’ just SELF DEFENSE.

[Author]

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