What would you do?

[Melanie]

You're walking home from a mates house late because you left some of your stuff there the night before. Whilst walking home you realise someone is following you. You have crossed the road, so have they. Do you:

1) Get onto your mobile phone and call someone - you feel safer with someone on the end of the line?

2) Rapidly make your way towards a well-lit area neaby in the hope that will put off the follower?

3) Your input?

[YODA]

First things first - If they have crossed too that proves nothing. They could be doing so innocently.

However, if you cross bcak again and they follow - prepare for action- whatever that may be.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Keep walking towards a well-lit area, take out my phone and call someone while leaning on a lamppost. Let them keep walking. See what happens.

[Spike]

Keep my ears open and make sure I haven`t got my hands in my pockets.

[morphus]

One coarse of action(if you really think you are in danger)could be to walk up the nearest path to a house and ring/knock the door, you can always explain to the householder whats happening; meanwhile the person behind walks on by; but don't carry on walking, he could be lying in wait, get the house holder to use there phone(offering to pay for the call obviously) or use your mobile and get taxi, or a lift from someone you know.
I actually used this technique once when i was a child!;)

[waya]

First, if I believe I am being followed, I would walk a surveillance detection route. Odd turns and such that are abnormal and wouldn't be used unless they are following me. If I find that they are, first attempt to move into crowded places to simply lose them, and anyone else that may be involved with whoever I spotted. If I don't lose them, turn on my own path and jump the person that's trying to jump me. Usually the unexpected confrontation will back them off quickly because they aren't set. If it doesn't, I am much better prepared than they are now.

Rob

[Freeform]

The old double cross and if they follow that a switchback. If they're still following you after that then the probability is about 99.999999% that they are following you. You should be able to see if they have accomplaces, assuming theres only one:

Options here are phone your friend and ask them and anyone else there o walk towards you whilst you walk back to their house.

Go up a random garden path/to a door and explain and ask for help.

Or MY personal favorite, just stand still stare at them and ask them if you can help them. Its fight or flight time now beeatch!

Thanx

[wayofthedragon]

hmmm, I would be cool about it! Like some one said, it could be someone innocent just going the same direction you're going, or, it could be someone with a crush on you and trying to think of how to approach you:love: However, if it is an attacker, I'm always a packer:woo:

[YODA]

Hmmm..... another thought.

"You're walking home from a mates house late...."

Best form of defence - no be there! ... Mr Miyagi.

[HKD]

as you see this person you turn and charge at them going through your mind everything your going to do to them so that your ready when you get ther. once the person see's you coming they freek out and take off. you start screeming "is that all you got you pile of s@#t, what the hell kind of mugger are you? im going to kick your butt so hard your mama will feel it!" this is true martial arts.
HKD

[johndoch]

if the attacker is after money you could always carry a spare wallet with nothing in it. When confronted fling the wallet at his feet telling him just to take it. during the distraction fight or flight or just fight or flight in the first case. I like the idea of crossing the road several times to gauge the potential attackers reaction. nice one Yoda

[Dragon_Princess]

I would speed walk as well as get on the phone and call someone so that I'll feel safer. Yes, I'm a scaredy-cat. **smile**

[HKD]

i'd change into spiderman and kick his ass.

[fluffydoc]

Similar idea to Melanie's post-
You're walking along a quiet country road and three guys on bikes come cycling towards you. The first one deliberately steers into you at the last moment to make you jump out the way. There's no-one around to back you up. How do you react?

[waya]

If he's on a bicycle, that is his disadvantage. Kick the side of the front tire in the same manner as a knee level kick, then move directly on his friend's and go to take them off of their bikes. I would use mostly low level kicks in this, much more chance I can knock them to the ground than by grabbing them. As they hit the ground, stomp kick them in the kidney, ribs, or another tender spot exposed by the fall.

Rob

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Something I've always wanted to try, I know it can lift someone off the ground so in theory it should do the same to someone on a bike. Step round with a vertical round punch to his chest. Then turn to deal with his friends if they've not just gone.

[Spike]

HKD, what if it turns out that person is Eddie Brock or Cletus Cassidy?

[ladyhawk]

Actually you don't have to punch the chest just place your palm on his chest like you were trying to stop him and as he moves forward allow your palm to slide up and catch his throat between your thumb and finger. A quick sudden choke will take him off the bike. I used that move to stop a guy from getting past me to his girlfriend. My hand slid up as he determinedly walked by me and the choke stopped him. While your hand is on his throat, you are set up for a leg sweep to take him down if the situation is serious.

[waya]

Ladyhawk,
Good technique :)
But if he is moving forward at you, especially at a decent speed, couldn't that be taken as overkill given the chance of crushing the throat? The way I have performed such techniques would make it more of a strike though. I'd be interested in hearing how you apply it, might give me something to think about using that technique differently. :)

Rob

[ladyhawk]

Possibly, I've only done it to someone walking very quickly.
I guess if the speed was a little too fast then you anticipated you could quickly alter it to a palm heel strike and not slide up with it.
This is one of those techniques you can easily do to yourself to see how it feels.

[ladyhawk]

Oh apply it........
Think of a situation where someone wants to get past you, you're off to their side. As they walk forward place your open palm on their chest, no force. If they are defiant they will continue
to walk and as they do allow your hand to slide up their chest to catch their throat between thumb and finger. No force is needed.
They provide the momentum and will stop do to a choke reflex.
Similar to a cloths line. You are now in the position to bring your leg behind theirs and do a sweep to take them down if you want to.

[waya]

Ok, I think I had missed the palm into the chest area being without force. Generally I strike directly to the throat and perform the sweep as one motion (this was on my last Hapkido requirements I think). I see now the difference in application and how the force I use would likely cause long term (and likely unnecessary) damage vs your application being more of a softer takedown and deterrent.

Rob

[pgm316]

I’d rather throw the open hand strike in horizontally, than slide it up the chest. Straight into the windpipe giving them less time to react and simultaneously strike the base of their spine with the other hand. This really knocks them off balance and can put them on the floor quite easily.

I think I’d use a forearm strike to the face or throat, if I were using a leg sweep. You don’t need to be as accurate and the extra weight of the forearm should help the takedown.

About the being followed, I’m assuming you want to avoid any conflict if possible. Not sure if the surveillance tactics are good for this, you’d find out if your being followed but it wouldn’t solve the problem. I think the main rule is whatever you do, don’t let them get any closer to you. If possible turn a corner and run, make a bit of space for yourself and slip away if possible. If you see some people, wave to them, it’ll look like you have friends close or just get their attention. Head somewhere were theres people around and if you are really worried use your mobile to phone the police.

I’m often walking the dog latish at night. I feel a bit safer having the dog and its steel chain lead. Possibly the best weapon you can legally carry. They say your less likely to be hassled if you don’t look like a victim, so hold your head up and look confident!

[Freeform]

The bike scenario, has anyone considered the fact that they're just a bunch of 14 yr old c***s out for s***s and giggles. If they keep going once I'd moved out of the way I'd probably just swear at there shrinking backs!

Or if they're older people being c***s then a sidestep and forearm to the face or throat (if there moving a speed, be realistic here, your aims gonna be screwed up) use their momentum and my own power generated in an arc using the hips and lean into it. Sure to make a mess of someones face!

If his pals to to intervine they have to get off their bikes, if they're smart they move on a bit before dismounting so you can't take advantage of their weakness (having no legs), this put you into a two and a half on one scenario. I'd probably hit them with the bike (I've done it before :) )
Assuming they're stupid you could get on before he dismounts, come in from the side move his hand out of the way and a headshot or five. Now your down to a match fight with the last guy (unless he's legged it!)

Thanx

[Andy Murray]

Originally posted by fluffydoc
Similar idea to Melanie's post-
You're walking along a quiet country road and three guys on bikes come cycling towards you. The first one deliberately steers into you at the last moment to make you jump out the way. There's no-one around to back you up. How do you react?

Move aside and let them past, smiling, and calling 'cheeky young scamps' after them.

Then find out where they live and let their tires down while they are sleeping :D

[Freeform]

No Andy, do something far more interesting, like put used motor oil or fairy liquid on their brake pads.

WOOHAHAHAHA!!!

[johndoch]

the art of fighting without fighting:D

[Spike]

Personally, I`d just steal the bikes.
But you know what us theivin` gypsies are like.

[waya]

Stealing the bikes isn't a bad idea. Especially just hopping on then first one as you take the guy off and leaving his friend's in a bit of shock seeing nothing but pumping legs lol.

Rob

[Freeform]

Is anyone interested in buying a bike? I believe that Spike has a few spares going. Along with a Ford Escort (H reg), a Panasonic VCR and assorted boxer-shorts.

:)

[waya]

He gets a Camaro or decent motorcycle let me know :) lol

[Freeform]

Ok, same idea as Floppydoc's, but lets make it three women, lets see if that changes your response, be honest know!

Thanx

[waya]

Ok, are they armed, or unarmed? This changes my reactions alot.

Rob

[Freeform]

We'll go for unarmed at the moment, maybe change it later if we get a good response.

[waya]

I would avoid the rider on the bike, and attempt to leave. If I find it not possible to do so, I will restrain the first attacker, and try to keep her between myself and the others as much as possible. Likely I will be stomped into the ground, but I won't strike unless I have absolutely no other option. While restraining her, I may use the pressure point just below and slightly behind the earlobe (Yiming I believe?), or TH-17 (Ifeng) to attempt a knockout, or cause her to be groggy and unable to respond, and again attempt escape.

Rob

[pgm316]

I don't see how being attacked by three women is much different than three men. In both cases your out numbered 3-1 and you've got to be prepared to take people out as fast as possible.

What would you do if one of the three people grabs hold of you!?

[fluffydoc]

While still on a bike? I'd back off quick. If they're determined to keep a hold of you their balance is completely shot. I suppose it depends what they grab you by - if it's your arm it'd be easy to attack their elbow if you keep your distance so their arm's outstretched. Similar if it's your clothing on your upper body. I don't want to think about what kind of cycling contortionist can get your legs (unless they're age 5 or Tin tin sensei!).

Cheers.

[pgm316]

i was thinking the attackers are on foot unless we're still doing the bike attacks!

But your missing my point really. Do we react to one of the three people getting hold of us or not!?

Attacting back at there elbow could cause the other two to join in, whereas not doing you might still be able to talk the situation down........ just wondering how people would react?

[waya]

My issue with them being female is mostly due to my upbringing. And the fact that if I hurt one of them, my grandmother would beat me twice as bad as they would have :D lol

Rob

[ladyhawk]

Waya, Do you spar with women?

[waya]

I do spar with women, and I don't hold anything back in training.
Especially if I am involved in a Rape Defense class. I know that women can take as much as, or more than, any man out there. And in Rape Defense their lives could very well depend on how well they are trained for a real situation. Thankfully I have only been seriously attacked by a woman once (she ended up sticking a screwdriver in my ear) so I haven't had to test my reactions since then. But that did change how I will react to an armed woman vs an unarmed woman. If she is armed I will fight like a possessed man, the same as if a male attacked me. Hitting me and causing serious harm/fatality are very different entirely.

Rob

[ladyhawk]

Do you think Mushin unconsciously distinguishes gender before reacting? You might pound her into the ground before you realize it.

[waya]

It's possible. Thankfully I haven't yet had to find out, hopefully I never do. I react very quickly to a hostile situation already, and I don't find myself having time for thought, but I hope that I will be aware before I react. One half second of awareness is enough usually to take in alot of information about your attacker, I just hope that gender will be realized before I start trying to break things. If I don't realize it until it's too late (a 70% probability).... I don't really know for sure how I would handle it. In the situation I mentioned, I caught her arm in time to avoid being seriously hurt, and I walked away. But I knew who it was because we were dating at the time. But had it been something more of a shock to me I may not have known.

Rob

[ladyhawk]

Hmmm, can't say much for the women you date. LOL!

While reacting we also have to evaluate the situation so we don't seriously hurt a friend that was just playing around.

[waya]

LOL I could say alot about the women I used to date, but I am an :Angel: so I'll be good and hush LOL

I am lucky, most of the people I know don't play around a whole lot like that. And those that do, I know pretty well and already know it's coming. But then again, I don't go out much or do alot with other people because my boss seems to think I live at my job site lol.

But I agree, I think there should be some extent to how far training goes into reacting without thought. Not Martial Arts related, but Wild Bill Hickock reacted that way as a Law officer, and ended up killing his deputy on accident. The same could happen to anyone trying to react completely without thought, you could end up doing serious damage to someone without any reason other than you had a mis-perception of a threat that never existed at all.

Rob

[Freeform]

I agree with Waya on this, depending on how fast things happen my response would probably be different.

Thanx

[pgm316]

I agree too, assessing the situation is important. Your own safety is of course the most important thing, but how are gonna justify breaking somebody’s arm and giving them concussion as being reasonable force when all they did was grab you. I think we have responsibility to some extent for only using reasonable force and not doing unnecessary damage that isn’t necessary to protect ourselves.

I do struggle sparring with women, I just can’t make myself throw any punches with real intent.

[waya]

Usually if I am attacked, I would rather just face the judge than make a mistake about how serious they are. Alot of that has to do with the area I live in though.

[pgm316]

I agree with you 100% Waya, I'll always put my own safety first. But if somebody grabbed my arm, I'm not sure how I'd respond. Maybe hitting them isn't safest thing to do.

It happened to me a while ago. I managed to talk the situation down. I came so close to giving him a good uppercut. But I'm glad I didn't, I hadn’t realised how out numbered we we're. He later apologised, which I grudgingly accepted to keep the peace.

It was interesting to see the difference in his behaviour. After the adrenaline had gone, so had his braveness. And he was starting to get agitated at the prospect of a fight. I’m assuming that’s why he apologised.

[waya]

If they just grab me, I will probably throw them or take their legs away before striking.

Rob

[pgm316]

Originally posted by waya
If they just grab me, I will probably throw them or take their legs away before striking.

Rob

Even if he has 2 or 3 friends with him? Beating the first one isn't the issue, its whether you try to calm things down or go to war!
:confused:

[waya]

I would rather fight two or three than one. It sounds stupid but it's twice as easy to beat them because they have no idea what the other is doing.

Rob

[pgm316]

The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win without fighting.
Sun-tzu, The Art of War. Planning a Siege

Is that familiar Waya hehe only joking! I suppose it depends on the situation, we we’re in a rough place and I had a bad feeling about it. Luckily it turned out ok in the end.

Fighting a few can be easier than you’d expect, as long as it doesn’t go to the ground…… think we’ve covered that already ;)

[waya]

lol I would love to walk away without fighting, but that only lasts until I am touched, once it goes there I handle it as the situation dictates.

Rob

[pgm316]

Have you considered having a thread for people’s “real situation” stories? It could give us another viewpoint than just debating what may or may not happen in various situations.

[waya]

Not a bad idea for a new thread, care to start us off?

Rob

[fluffydoc]

Your response to any potentially threatening act (like grabbing your arm) will depend on the context. If someone's been acting aggressively already then lunges for your arm it's a reasonable bet they're not trying to check the time on your watch. Obviously, if you thought the threat was not immediate, you'd try to talk the situation down.
Cheers.

[pgm316]

I agree fluffy one, it will depend on a lot of factors, how they're acting/ where you are and who there with. It'll all contribute to some extent to how you respond.

[Sonshu]

I would either keep going if I am unsure there will be a problem, take my keys out of my pocket and place them for a strike if I felt very threatened.

Or

Cross over the road making it look like I am going to go to a house and walk backwards. The reason for this is if he/she (non-sexist) changes to follow then I know there is a problem and can be as ready as I can be. I have to say I am honest enough not to feel fear in this sort of situation possibly due to training as I have had to look after myself in the past, still I would rather avoid a fight every time.

It is different for everyone depending on your size, sexuality (guys dont get raped often) state (drunk) etc. I have to say most of the time I would just keep on walking.

Good option is to go to a fast food place or something like this as its public and open.

Voilence should be the last option - but if pushed it is the reason most of us train - MOST!

Just a few thoughts!

[Cain]

Did it ever occur to you guys that the qther person may be a member of the opposite sex who's interested in you

I would'nt mind that if a girl followed me like that :love: :love: :love:

ps- I was just going thru the archives and I must say I like livening them up back to the living for new members :D
|Cain|

[TkdWarrior]

hmm melaine it's quite intresting...
i remember one incident...one day at night(around 10:30 or 11pm) i was coming from my tuition classes...it was around 3 km n i prefer to walk that distance...normally my steps r quite fast paced...but that day i just noticed that there's one girl who ahead of me n was walking fast paced too(with giving me weird looks :D) first i didn't notice...n didn't like her way of looking so i thought i'll ask her...so i speed up my pace...seeing this she almost started to run...then i realised she was kinda afraid of me.. so didn't mind slowing down... n changed my route(she thougt) n she looked like kind a relieved too...
ah...i didn't look THAT BAD ... :mad:
nothing much with thread but this reminded me n couldn't control myself from writing...
-TkdWarrior-

[ladyhawk]

Originally posted by cain_charlie
Did it ever occur to you guys that the qther person may be a member of the opposite sex who's interested in you

I would'nt mind that if a girl followed me like that :love: :love: :love:

ps- I was just going thru the archives and I must say I like livening them up back to the living for new members :D
|Cain|


When we teach kids awareness we try to emphasize the fact that you can't always
count on a woman to be a passive motherly type just because of their gender. You
can't always tell the good guy/girl from the bad guy/girl just by looks and it's better
to be cautious and follow your gut instinct. Just my .02

[waya]

Did it ever occur to you guys that the qther person may be a member of the opposite sex who's interested in you

If that ever actually occurred to me I'd have a heart attack lol. It would also make me twice as careful because then she has twice the reason to beat on me for not knowing.

[Dragon_Princess]

hurry up make it! ready 2 post!

[fluffydoc]

Would any woman on this site start following a guy she liked the look of in the street? I can't decide if that's more creepy or stupid.

[big e]

i would turn arount pull out my magnum 44 an blow off their head

either that or i would rapidly walk to a area with more people

[pgm316]

Shoot em big e! Especially them girls! We’ve come to the conclusion there only going to bludgeon you to death! Does this extend to any girl that shows interest?

I think sometimes you guys worry too much, some of you will be single forever at this rate! :D