Basics and Principles of Self-Defense E-Book

Bernd Irmscher

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 167

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

However, when the topic of »self-defense« comes up, many people often ask themselves questions such as: - How would I behave myself in such a situation? - What can or may I do; what is allowed or forbidden? - (How) can I prepare for such a situation? This book is aimed at interested readers of all ages and is intended to help to find answers to these questions. Furthermore, it should give the reader a good first overview of the broad topic of »self-defense«. In this book principles and techniques for typical self-defense situations are described that can still work under stress. The techniques presented here are intended only be understood as a recommendation from a number of different possibilities and not at all as »the best« solution in a certain self-defense situation. Also it is not about to emphasize one particular of the many different fighting styles, but rather to create an understanding that in a self-defense situation neither one nor the other fighting style is the »better« one. The only thing that counts in the end is: Any solution that works in an emergency is a good solution.

Leseprobe

Important Information for Using this Book

The techniques described in this book are intended exclusively for use in self-defense situations and should only be practiced under the guidance of experienced trainers. Neither the author nor the publisher are liable for any damage that might arise from the techniques described in the book.

For reasons of better readability, only male actors are shown in all the illustrations. Irrespective of this, however, all contents of the book refer equally to men and women.

Table of Contents

Preface

1. Basics

Self-Defense and Self-Assertion

Self-Defense Situation

Primal Instincts

Fear

Response Time

Hick´s Law

Action vs. Reaction

Preventive Attack

Orientation Phase

Everything Comes to an End

Awareness and Perception

Possible Sequences of a Self-Defense Situation

Plan B

De-Escalation

Keep Calm

Ask for Help

Be Creative

Fight

.

Switching

All or Nothing

No Rules

Injuries

Breathing

Natural and Improvised Weapons

Natural Weapons

Improvised Weapons

2. Distances and Positions

.

Traffic Light Principle

Create or Maintain Distance .

Dead-Side (»Blind Spot«) and Life-Side

3. Ready Stance, Protective Stance and Fighting Stance

Right-Handed and Left-Handed

Ready Stance .

Protective Stance

Fighting Stance

Movement in Protective Stance and Fighting Stance

4. Counter Techniques, Punches, Strikes and Kicks

Targets

Striking Technique .

Basic Punches and Strikes

Kicking Technique

Basic Kicks

Distances and Appropriate Counter Techniques

Punch and Kick Combinations

Basic Punch Combination 1

Basic Punch Combination 2

Basic Punch Combination 3

Punch and Kick Combination 1

Punch and Kick Combination 2

Close Combat Combination

5. Defense Techniques

Attack Signals

Soft and Hard Defense

Passive and Active Defense

Aggressive Defense

Intuitive Defense

Technical Defense

Principles of Defense

Pressure and Control Points on the Head

Ground Contact

Defense against Punches and Kicks

Defense against Straight Punches

Evading to the Dead-Side

Life-Side and Plan B

360 Degree Defense

Cover Guard and Double Arm Cover .

Defense against Haymakers

Defense against Kicks

Release from Grips

Gripping One Wrist with One Hand from Above in Front

Gripping Both Wrists from Above in Front

Gripping Both Raised Wrists from Below in Front .

Grip on the Lapel with One Hand

Grip on the Lapel with Two Hands

Defense against Pulling the Hair from the Front

Defense against Choking

Defense against Front Stranglehold with Two Hands

Defense against Rear Stranglehold with One Forearm .

Defense against a Mata Leon Stranglehold

Defense against a Side Headlock

Defense against a Front Headlock (»Guillotine«)

Clutches and Handholds

Blocking the Attacker in Close Range

Clutches

Release from a Frontal Bear Hug Under the Arms

Release from a Frontal Bear Hug Over the Arms

Release from a Rear Bear Hug Under the Arms

Release from a Rear Bear Hug Over the Arms .

Release from a Muay Thai Clinch

Release from a Double Nelson

Defense against Multiple Attackers

Defense on the Ground

.

Soft Falling

Rolling

Free Fall

Defense in the Ground Position against Standing Attackers .

Getting Up from the Ground

a) Protected Getting Up Forward

b) Protected Getting Up Backward (»Turkish Get-Up«)

c) Getting Up from Rolling Sideways .

Ground Fighting

Ground Fighting Techniques

Knee Blockade .

Body Movements

Mount- and Guard-Position .

Defense on the Ground – Attacker in Mount-Position

Defense on the Ground – Attacker in Guard-Position

Release from a Headlock in Ground Position

6. Excursus – Armed Attackers

Tactical Behavior when Dealing with Armed Attackers

Impact Weapons

Defence against an Overhead Stick Strike

Cutting and Stabbing Weapons

Behavior with Dynamic Knife Attacks

Behavior with a Static Knife Threat

7. Training

.

Training Basics

Training Contents .

Training Pitfalls

Stress Training .

8. Psychological Aspects

Peace Offer

Mental Thing Won or Lost

Setting Boundaries

Never Underestimate Attackers

Mental Preparation – Three-Phase-Model

9. Afterwards – All Over?

Possible Scenarios »Afterwards«

In Safety

Body Check .

First Aid

Police, Testimonies and Complaint .

Perpetrator Description .

Witnesses

The Time »After«

10. Legal Considerations

The Right to Defend Yourself

Initial Situation

Right and Wrong

Conclusion

Acknowledgement

About the Author

.

Further Reading

Preface

However, when the topic of »self-defense« comes up, many people often ask themselves questions such as:

How would I behave myself in such a situation?

What can or may I do; what is allowed or forbidden?

How long does a self-defense situation last?

(How) can I prepare for such a situation?

This book is aimed at interested readers of all ages and is intended to help to find answers for these questions. Furthermore, it should give the reader a good, first overview of the broad topic of »self-defense«.

The book describes principles and techniques for typical self-defense situations that can still work under stress. Since the history of mankind is also a history of continuous (survival)-struggle and self-defense, all the techniques presented here are not »new«, but are always meant to be only as a recommendation from a number of different existing possibilities. All people are different because of body stature, agility, age, fitness, etc., so there is no »best« solution in a particular self-defense situation existing. The only thing that counts in the end is: Any solution that works in an emergency is a good solution.

Over the centuries, in all parts of the world manydifferent fighting styles and systems have been developed, such as Karate, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, Boxing, Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Wing Tsun, Taekwondo, Hapkido, Savate, Capoeira, Eskrima, Sambo, Systema, ... from some of which go back even to ancient times. Thereby many techniques are often very similar or even the same, so that for self-defense only the consistent and uncompromising application of only a few techniques is of importance. Against this background, an understanding should be created that in a self-defense situation neither one nor the other fighting style is the »better« one. Therefore, there are no »new« techniques or any »secret techniques« existing (where from ...?), but finally only known applications of the same ancient »elemental weapons«: head, hands, forearms, elbows, knees, shins and feet, together with the right mental attitude.

For better understanding and clarity, all of the illustrations used in this book are not photos, but drawings that were created on the basis of photos. Thereby the defender is shown in gray colour throughout all the drawings, while the attacker is white coloured.

All movement arrowsshown in the figures always refer only to the direction of movements and actions of the defender.

Attacker (white) Defender (grey)

1. Basics

Themain difference between martial arts or combat sports and self-defense is: It doesn't have to look nice, there are no referee and no points – it's all about getting out of a dangerous situation as fast and as good as possible.

Self-Defense and Self-Assertion

»Self-defense« (SD) means the defense against physical or mental attacks by physical means in order to prevent harm to oneself. In contrast, »self-assertion« is the ability to successfully assert or claim one's own needs and demands against others without physical contact, using only voice, facial expressions and body language.

Self-defense already starts at the moment when a person consciously avoids entering a situation that is potentially dangerous for him or her (SD principle: »Don't be there«). Reality shows again and again that it is good to listen to one's »gut feeling« and to avoid places or people where, for inexplicable reasons, an unpleasant or unsafe feeling arises.

In other words, anyone who is attentive and consciously aware of the environment (»mindfulness«), has already taken the first step on the path to self-defense.

If, however, a critical situation has occurred somehow, the goal is always to avoid a physical confrontation (i.e., fight) for as long as possible. Leaving the situation, running away or fleeing should always be considered as the very first possible option (»Don't be there«). This has nothing to do with cowardice, but with reason alone. Self-defense does not mean to »win« a fight, but only to get out of the situation as unharmed as possible (see also chapter 8. »Psychological aspects«).

Thus, »self-defense« begins precisely at the point in time when someone attempts to avert harm from oneself by taking active action (e.g., by deciding not to go a certain way, to change sides of the street, or to run away).

Self-Defense Situation

Apart from a deliberately planned attack, no one finds himself »suddenly« in a self-defense situation, but there is always a chronologically preceding sequence of events. Apart from the place, time and social environment, this always includes:

a) the perception of the defender as a potential target of attack (i.e., as the appropriate »victim«) for the attacker;

b) the planned or spontaneous decision of the attacker to attack the defender;

c) if available, overcoming the spatial distance between the attacker and the defender, often accompanied by verbal addressing of the »victim«, e.g., "What do you want from me...?";

d) the initiation of physical contact between attacker and defender, e.g., by pushing, grabbing, holding, hitting, kicking, clutching or choking.

There are still opportunities for de-escalation during phases a), b) and (with restrictions) in c). However in phase d) at the latest, the defender must take action to protect himself, either by fleeing or using appropriate defense or attack techniques.

Every self-defense situation is always a threat and therefore a stressful situation in which the body and mind react in different ways; the field of vision is thereby severely narrowed (»tunnel vision«) and the defender is then often only capable of a few, mostly gross motor and instinctual movement patterns.

Primal Instincts

Suddenly occurring threats have been processed in the so-called »reptilian brain« and in the »monkey brain« since primeval times. Therefore, human beings respond to a threat with one of three basic instincts evolutionarily:

1.

freeze or

2.

flight or

3.

attack and fight.

In self-defense, »freezing« must be avoided at all costs; instead, the available energies should be used as effectively as possible either for flight, or - if unavoidable - to fight. If not already present, this mechanism of direct switching must be worked out by appropriate training.

One way to avoid freezing is to always keep something moving right from the start, e.g., by taking small steps sideways, backward or forward, rubbing hands, scratching the head, straightening clothes, etc. When the body is in motion, the mind also stays in motion.

Fear

Fear is an important protective mechanism in humans and animals, which is intended to ensure physical or mental integrity and, in extreme cases, survival in real or even perceived dangerous situations. Fear is supposed to prepare a living being for a fight-or-flight situation. This releases various hormones, including adrenaline in particular, which accelerates many body functions. The most significant physical effects are:

Sharpening of the senses, pupils dilate and visual and auditory nerves become more sensitive (for increased perception).

Restricted field of vision (»tunnel vision«).

Increased reaction speed, muscle tension, and energy provision in muscles (to prepare for fight or flight).

If necessary, emptying the bladder (in preparation for fight or flight).

Increased pulse; depending on the situation and constitution, the pulse can easily rise to over 200 beats per minute.

From a pulse of approx. 175 beats per minute onwards, only gross motor movements are possible!

Increased blood pressure.

Shallower and faster breathing.

Sweating, trembling and dizziness, teeth grinding, shivers of heat or cold, possibly also nausea or shortness of breath.

Suppression of digestive and sexual functions (to save energy).

Faster blood clotting (to minimize possible blood loss).

For self-defense it is important a) to be aware of these (completely natural) reactions and b) to prevent a physical »freezing« by appropriate training and to use the available energies positively in the sense of »flight« if possible and otherwise of »fight«.

Response Time

Depending on the situation, the time available until the first necessary self-defense action (e.g., flight, preemptive strike or defense against an attack) in the case of sudden surprise attacks is approx. 0.05 to 0.1 seconds. In situations in which a self-defense situation is foreseeable (e.g., through body language, eye contact or verbal threat), this time span can be up to several seconds in comparison.

The average reaction time of a human being is around 0.2 seconds. With increased attention and appropriate training, the reaction time can also be reduced to approx. 0.1 seconds. This means that there is at least a chance to ward off surprise attacks – but only with appropriate training and simultaneous vigilance towards the environment.

Different reaction times for different stimuli

Source: Bertelsmann Encyclopedia Discovery, 1998

Hick´s Law

Hick's law was developed in 1952 by William Edmund Hick (British physician and psychologist, 1912 – 1974) and describes the relationship between reaction time and the number of possible choices. Roughly speaking, the law states that for every doubling of the number of possible choices, the reaction time increases by about 150 ms. Independent of the number of choices, however, the reaction time adjusts to a fixed value through regular practice.

Applied to self-defense, this means that when an attack is in progress, the more defensive techniques are available to the defender and the more decisions he must make to select the most suitable technique for that attack, the longer the reaction time will be.

Conclusion: It is better to master just a few techniques than to know many techniques but not really be able to do them.

Action vs. Reaction

In 99 out of 100 cases, an action is always faster than a reaction. For self-defense, it follows that when an attack is inevitably imminent, the defender should not wait until the attack actually occurs in order to only then fend it off, but that he should instead take the initiative himself from the outset and attack the attacker first (so-called »preventive attack«).

Preventive Attack

At the very latest, when the attacker has approached the defender to within kicking distance or even arm's length, regardless of the defender's clear attempts at de-escalation, all further thoughts regarding fight avoidance that may still be going through the defender's mind ("Will he really attack or not?"; "Shouldn't I better do something now, or would it still be better to wait?"; "What can I do best now?“; etc.) have become completely obsolete.

If the defender still believes at this point in time that he can really »defend« himself in case of an attack, he must assume that he will at least take the first punch, kick, head or knee strike of the attacker ... and can then only hope to still be able to act afterwards to the extent that he can ward off subsequent attacks and avoid further damage. However, the probability for this is not very high ... finish.

If it will come to a physical confrontation anyway, attack is actually the »better« defense! As described in the previous section, an action is usually faster than a reaction, which allows the defender to significantly improve his chances for a successful defense by a preventive attack just only once. However, this attack must never be done half-heartedly, but must be followed through with full consequence until the end of the self-defense situation. Otherwise, the attacker can recover too quickly from the moment of surprise and continue his own attack all the more violently after this forewarning. Under this premise, every preventive attack must always be carried out with the absolutely clear intention not to start a »fight«, but to end the emerging dangerous situation as early as possible in the development phase.

Escalation levels – Self-defense

Escalation levels – Fighting phase

Orientation Phase

In the initial phase of a self-defense situation, the defender should always assume the »worst case« in his own interest. As long as the opposite is not established, the very first assumption is therefore: the attacker is aggressive, possibly insensitive to pain (e.g., due to drug use), armed and not alone. In order to perceive the situation as quickly as possible and then hopefully be able to assess it correctly (and possibly even relax it), the following points must be clarified:

Mood and intention of the attacker?

Is the attacker armed?

Is the attacker drugged?

Is the attacker alone?

(Where) Are there good opportunities to escape?

Can other people help?

Can any items be used as improvised weapons?

The defender must always assume an armed attack (and act accordingly) until he has scanned the attacker and made sure that the attacker's hands are empty and that there is no weapon visible (e.g., knife in the belt). So even though the attacker is not (yet) armed, the defender must be aware at all times that at a later point in time the attacker may still draw a previously concealed weapon or use an improvised weapon against the defender.

Everything Comes to an End

A self-defense situation is not over until …

the defender has escaped to safety or

the attacker gives in, gives up and does not want to attack anymore or

the attacker is incapacitated and can no longer attack …

… and no more attackers are to be expected.

In other words, a self-defense situation is not automatically over just because, e.g., any of the defense, release or counter techniques described in this book have just worked well, but always when the aforementioned criteria apply with certainty and not a single moment earlier.

When retreating from the danger zone, the defender must always keep an eye on the surroundings and be prepared for possible further attacks until he is safe.

Awareness and Perception

The probability that a »self-defence« will work at all in an emergency is the higher, the more often one has already dealt with this topic in advance. By its very nature, the world is full of dangers, and in the course of evolution, humans and animals have learned how to deal with them. The protection against them therefore begins with the knowledge of how to best counter these dangers.

This involves walking through the world with open eyes and consciously noticing your surroundings and what is happening around you, such as: On which paths am I traveling alone? What is the quickest way to get to safety? Where are possibilities for protection? Who can help me? What can I use as a weapon if necessary? At what time is a certain place rather safe or rather unsafe? On this basis, you can play through potential dangerous situations in your mind for everyday routes and situations and thus prepare for various scenarios to work out the best possible behavior in each case. This type of mental preparation has nothing to do with self-defense, but can be used for all kinds of situations in life and is also used by competitive athletes when preparing for competitions (see also chapter 8. »Psychological aspects«). Of course, martial arts or self-defense training can also help to further develop one's own physical abilities as well as one's mental attitude individually.

Possible Sequences of a Self-Defense Situation

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that self-defense will work, no matter how many times you have gone over it in your mind or how hard you have trained. Regardless of this, the basics of successful self-defense are above all the early perception of the danger and the correct assessment of the situation.

The resulting possible processes of a self-defense situation are shown as an overview in the following flow chart, which originally goes back to Amnon Maor in his book »The A B C of Self Defense« 1. The following chapters of this book will go more into detail on the topics listed therein.