Violence Response 101

Many people feel that they don’t have the time to devote to self-defense training yet they want some basic information on how to defend themselves should the need arise. Following are easy and effective targets to strike when your life is in danger. Surviving and attack does not require much skill but it absolutely requires will. As I was once told by a Tier 1 special operations warrior, “The will to win beats the skill to win.” This is a very important point for someone who has not dedicated their life to fighting or martial ways. You don’t need to be a highly trained fighter to win; you need to never give up. In a life or death fight you must prevail. The alternative is not optional. 

The following information is “principle” based and not “technique” based. In other words I am going to provide you three targets to hit during a violent encounter. Hitting the target effectively along with the reason you are striking the target (principle) is what is important. How you strike the target (technique) is not the priority.

During a life or death encounter you want to strike the following targets:

• Eyes               Principle: Disrupt vision and cause extreme pain

• Throat            Principle: Disrupt breathing

• Groin              Principle: Cause extreme pain

Principles in Action:

An attacker will be significantly reduced in his ability to hurt you if he cannot see, breath, or is in extreme pain. Your goal is to strike these targets fast, repeatedly, and aggressively until the attacker is no longer a threat. Hit each target over and over again until the attacker is neutralized and you can safely leave the area to call the police. Use weapons of opportunity if possible such as a pen, keys, or sharp object to the eyes and throat, Use your knee to repeatedly and forcefully strike the groin. In other words you are to: "Attack the attacker." Make him pay dearly for choosing you as a potential victim.

The world of violence is a brutal and unforgiving place. You may only have one opportunity to initiate your barrage of pain on the attacker. Fully commit to your actions or you will be the one paying the price potentially with your blood or your life. It is not pretty but it must be done to survive. Those who say violence is never the answer have never been in a life or death fight. The thought of taking a pen and stabbing it into your attackers eyes is repulsive. The though of taking a pen and repeatedly stabbing your attackers throat until bright red blood is spurting all over you is repulsive. To feel the attackers warm blood on you is repulsive. To hear him screaming in agony is repulsive. If this is the price you have to pay to survive then DO it. What is more repulsive then you surviving is you giving up. Never give up. 

Warriors come in all shape and sizes. You don’t have to be able to do the splits to survive. You don’t have to know how to do a perfectly executed jump spinning back kick. You just have to hit three targets by any means necessary. Your goal is not just to survive the attack but prevail. The alternative should be repulsive to you and unthinkable. When necessary be the warrior!

TC

© 2013