"REAL" fights

[MarcoPolo]

Just a couple of thoughts on what a "real" scenario might look like for the "average Joe":

I'm in my mid-30's. I have 3 young kids (all girls). If i'm not at work or church, i'm typcially hanging out with my kids at the park / Chuck E Cheese / their myriad practices (gymnastics/piano/etc.) I don't hang out in bars, or typically where there is alcohol.

That being said, I feel that most probably, the "attack" I would face wouldn't be a violent knife attack, some drunk trying to knock me out in the parking lot for "checking his girl out", etc. I feel that the most realistic (and responsible) defense for me is to 1. Verbally difuse the situation (I've got my kids to think about.. and they're usually with me. I don't need my kids to see that kind of nonsense, or risk putting them in danger to be a "tough guy")
2. Enter and sector (shut the attack down) 3. Shove/control/and disengage (i.e. knock them off their feet, or sector and shove them away.. just enough to let them know i'm controlling the situation.)

Is there random violence? Sure. Is a great deal of it the environment you put yourself in? Absollutely. After 30 years of law enforcement my father said "I never saw a fight that didn't involve alcohol, women, or bad environment"
Are their random situations where you need to really fight? Sure. Is it common for the guy in suburbia like me who's "contact" with the daily world is Home Depot and Outback with the family? Probably not. And home intrusion or robbery on *my* property? I'm in Texas and well armed. I don't plan on fighting anyone at my house! ;) :woo:

Just my 2 cents!

Marc

[Blade3]

[B]You've answerd your own own questions.
No need for reply. (LOL)

[MarcoPolo]

Just trying to get something started... maybe a point of view somewhere between "MA as a way to express myself" and "MA as a way to kill people"

[Kwajman]

I agree with most of what you said. Like you, I'm mostly a suburbs kind of guy. The only fight I've been in since I've started MA's was in a downtown Milwaukee at night, after a basketball game. Less than ideal situations since no one can park close to the stadium because of "homeland security". So the number of muggings has gone up because of the crappy neighborhoods. My 'radar' goes on high alert anytime me and my boys are in a neighborhood like this. You just have to be careful, diffuse the situation if possible, kick the crap out of them if necessary. I have a humongous scar on my hand because of the incident, but hey, the boys thinks its cool.

[TigerAn1]

I deliver pizza's part time, which is rapidly becoming a second full time, so I need to stay aware of my situation at all times. The area I work is for the most part very good (upper middle and higher class) but there are "some" area's that are "not too cool." I've been doing this almost 8 years and have had a few close encounters with some unsavory individuals. In every case it did seem to involve alcohol. I found it best just to talk and leave asap. I've never been mugged while on the job. If I was, my guess is that it would involve some sort of weapon. Given that scenario, I would submit to the J.J. Bittenbinder school of self defense and throw some money one way, and I would go the other way- like real fast. No heroism on my part. Put the knee's in the breeze. JJ btw was a Chicago TAC cop. Check out his website-good stuff!

http://defence4u.com/index.html

[Hapkido Student]

What tigerAn1 Said stated the most important role of self defense. Know your surrounding's. In order to be effective in a defensive situation you have to be alert and aware of what's going on. You all have to remember that and attacker is not going to walk up face to face and attack you. Your more likely going to be attacked from behind or the side's.(Most of the time,not all the time so please don't get me wrong.) One thign wel all must realize is that the attacked usually has the element of surprise. (when you get into your car and you dont see the guy laying down in the backseat, and he jump's up and put's a choke hold on you and/or put's a gun or knife to your head. You didn't expect this and yet what can you do in this situation? Alot of thing's but you have to remeber that when put in a situation risking your life, it's very hard to result to technique's. However there are people out there who are trained excellent and train hard and long enough to be able to defend against this. However when th element of surprise is in the scenario, how effective is your defense?


Just a little food for thought

[Shihan]

I have learned that there are two types of violent encounters: Social and Amoral.

Social violence are the one that happens at bars, parties, ball games (notice the continuous theme of alcohol), riding the trains in NYC, fender benders or looking at another man's girlfriend/wife. These encounters while dangerous aren't usually life threating. There's usually someone around to break it up because they normally happen in well lit, well populated areas. They happen on the spur and usually over as quick as they start. In that scenario no one when out looking for a fight, it just happened.

Amoral violence is a diffence creatrue all together. This person goes out the mentality, desire and purpose to find a victim to hurt, rob or kill. They lurk in the shadows, in bushes, in alleyways. They more than likey have some sort of weapon, and are willing to use it. They aren't conern with your health and well being, nor that of any family member that may be with you. All they want are your personal belongings, life or both. They have no scruples and IMHO, neither should you when dealing with them. Any hesitation on your part can be the difference between life and death. I think it helps to know and recoginze the difference between the two. Any thoughts?

[spacefuzz]

[QUOTE=TigerAn1]I deliver pizza's part time, which is rapidly becoming a second full time, so I need to stay aware of my situation at all times. The area I work is for the most part very good (upper middle and higher class) but there are "some" area's that are "not too cool." I've been doing this almost 8 years and have had a few close encounters with some unsavory individuals. In every case it did seem to involve alcohol. I found it best just to talk and leave asap. QUOTE]


heh, I used to deliver pizzas in college. never got mugged or anything but was offered sex a few times for pizza by drunk girls. your obviously delivering to the wrong places!

[JimH]

Shihan,I agree with you there are two realms of confrontation the agreed upon combat in which two people basically agree to fight be it a bar,club,parking space,car accident ,whatever,because prior to the fight one or both parties could have either refused to fight or left.

The other is the in your face no choice confrontation where the attacker has picked the time and place that provides them the advantage in the confrontation,they step out or walk up and have closed the gap limiting your tools of combat(unless you can work close as Hapkido allows).

Awareness is the primary tool that allows for the ability to avoid,to escape ,to run,to prepare,to have a preconflict dialogue,to the actual fight ,to what to do after the fight.

Many today go through life in a self absorbing bubble,or so they believe,they engage their minds with IPODS,CD players,cell phones and they are not aware,todays attacker knows this and uses it to surprise the victim,when any basic awareness would have prevented surprise and the confrontation.

Be aware,be prepared.

When threatened and have a choice to leave then leave.

If you are threatened close up and the situation has been decided by the attacker and no exit is possible at that moment then respond/act as soon as the threat level is known.