Crossing The Line

There will be occasions where de-escalation skills fail to work or are inappropriate.  This is where the trouble maker is still intent on creating a problem, either physical or verbal. You must let them know that the time to stop talking has been reached .  While you are tied up with this type of incident, you are neglecting other more important duties so you must bring the interaction to a swift conclusion.

Always let the individual know when the limits have been reached. On the door, let Mr. Anus know he will be trespassing if he crosses the door step.  The DS are never in a position to deny access and then step back. There will be physical consequences for allowing Mr. Anus to take one step further onto your patch. Perhaps for you and definitely for him.

Most experienced  street fighters develop a mind set called 'The Edge'.  This mind set involves the use of Emotional Awareness and Risk Assessment skills.  If a situation deteriorates and becomes potentially dangerous, the individual knows exactly when they will run or how they will fight. In a street fight, your kicking off point is reached when you honestly believe you are about to be attacked. You pre-empt the physical violence by moving first and fast. This procedure gives you the initiative and control of the situation, 'The Edge'. You decide how you are going to survive, either hit and run, but definitely run. 

For the DS,  having 'The Edge' is also essential, but potentially dangerous situations must be handled differently. The main reason for this is  that  the DS do not have the option of running away from the dangerous situation.   The professional DS, in the first instance, must also use their verbal and non-verbal de-escalation skills to defuse dangerous situations. But, you are much more likely to be physically attacked when you are talking, perhaps distracted by one individual so that the other can attack. Because of the demands to use de-escalation skills, 'The Edge' of the DS is on a hair trigger and the final option is a physical one. 

The victim is usually shocked, powerless and less verbose. He is still looking for the 'get out alive' clause in the evenings entertainment bill. Anything will do him as long as he can leave with his dignity intact. Attacking first in a blind panic becomes an option if someone doe's not intervene and stop the grand plan of Mr. Anus going to the physical stage.

Who Started the Fight?

"He started it. He hit me first!" shouts Mr. Anus as you separate the two antagonists.  Of course he is totally wrong. When a fox jumps into a chicken run, the chickens fly in every direction in order to escape from the threat. There is a small hard core of people who are not as bright as chickens. Confronted by a violent situation, some humans will not only fly, they will also freeze, fight and do other stupid and inappropriate things. The verbal aggression and physical posturing of Mr. Anus will induce all forms of violent reaction. This includes fear, altruistic  and pathological violence. 

Fighting Distances

In close combat there are three ranges to be considered:

• Long range offensive and defensive styles are usually favored by the taller opponent.
• Close range offensive and defensive styles are usually favored by the shorter opponent or wrestler.
• Ground fighting is favored by the wrestler. It is also the last option open to the downed opponent.

Never fight an opponent on their own terms. Always go for the tactical moves they are not using. At the long and close ranges the tactics can be either offensive or defensive. There can also be single or multiple assailants and defenders.

The ground fighting range adds a more complex dimension to the tactics. This is because a ground fighter can be offensively orientated despite the fact that their opponent is standing. It is not necessarily the case in ground fighting that both protagonists are on the ground.

Long Range Offence The opponent is usually taller than you and has the advantage of a longer reach. They will be attacking you with kicks and jabs, keeping you at arms length. Counter this type of attack by:

• Going to the ground and attacking their legs
• Retreating to force them into a forward momentum. This momentum can be side stepped or hopped away from before striking out.
• Parry the fist attacks and move in fast to counterattack at close range.
• Side step and kick.

Long Range Defence The opponent is moving around you fast. They are using jabs, kicks and side stepping to keep away from you. They will concentrate on countering all your approaches. Counter this type of defence by:

• Using side steps to disrupt their circling tactics and close in.
• Covering up and closing in fast to use close range tactics.

Close Range Offence The opponent may be shorter than you. They move inside your guard very fast and attack with elbows, knees, head butts and grappling tactics. Counter this type of offence by:

• Using your knees and palm heel attacks to force them off you.
• Retreat fast at the first opportunity and keep them at bay with your kicks and long punches.

Close Range Defence The opponent sticks close to you and spoils all your tactics by parrying, grabbing, grappling and using counter attacks. Counter this type of defence by:

• Breaking away and using long range offensive tactics.

Distracting the Opponent

When the opponent is preparing to attack you, distractions become necessary. The following tactics may be incorporated into your training programme. As your skill develops, you will appreciate the vital fractions of a second and control these distractions allow.

 Throw.
Throw the nearest object to hand....Bang!!! Make the opponent flinch, blink or stop. This form of distraction will give you a fraction of a second to make your own move.

 Spit.
Spit.....Bang!!! This can make the opponent either blink, vomit, draw back or lift their hands to expose the lower targets.
Spit out anything that happens to be in your mouth at the time of the confrontation and then immediately strike out.

 Feint.
Bluff....Bang!!!  Before carrying out a definite attack, such as a punch, either pretend to or actually use a kick. This tactic will make the opponent act in a predictable manner.
Develop your own personal set of combinations.

 Shout.
Shout...Bang!!!

Scream...Bang!!! 

This can be used in order to dispel your nervous energy and disorientate the enemy.
By shouting or screaming, you can make the opponent temporarily freeze. The shouting approach can also make your own attack much stronger.

 Breathe.
Your breathing can also be used to strengthen your attack and confuse the opponent. This can be done by hissing or grunting as you move or attack.
Consider the boxer's mode of breath coordinated striking. Just before you strike, you tense up your stomach muscles. Before the strike lands, either grunt, hiss or blow out half your lung capacity.

 Move.
In many fights, the opponent will be operating with a limited level of consciousness. The opponent will both "telegraph" and persist in using the same technique. The simple act of either kicking or using a straight arm strangle will induce the opponent to copy you. Both these situations can be used to your advantage.
Combatants are usually motivated by fear or blind hatred. It is not normal for them to think tactically and respond positively to their opponents attack. Attacks are usually focused on the position of the opponent. The simple act of  stepping out of this direct line of attack can confuse the attacker.
Try to remain mobile during a confrontation. This will disrupt the opponents timing and concentration. If your opponent is circling around you, disrupt their timing by either stepping in or out with a side step of your own.
If your opponent is right handed, move round them in an anticlockwise direction. This will keep you away from the much stronger right side of their body.
At other times encourage the opponent to move forward. Their momentum will add more impetus to the force of your attack.

 Talk.
Talk to the opponent and find out what they want from you.  The danger is that when you are talking you are not completely focused on the behaviour of the opponent. Hopefully, talking may help to reduce the tension of the situation. 

You or your back up must be talking all the time. This is simply a device to keep the opposition focused on a verbal response rather than a physical response. Let the bum win the argument, don't be afraid to loose face, if it gets the bum out of the venue.

Also try asking a stupid question, anything at all, ("Have you ever seen a striped chicken?") ....Bang!!! This question will create a short circuit in the opponents thinking process and momentarily confuse them.  Long enough to get the first strike home and create a bigger short circuit.   

Vary the volume of your speech and then....Bang!!  

Vary the speed of your speech and then...Bang!!  These tactics will draw the opponents attention to your voice, away from your attack.

 Ambush.
Leave the enemy an obvious opening in your defences. Once their anticipated attack is initiated, you can counterattack.

 Pretend.
Pretend to be afraid, injured, dead, competent, brave, stunned or mad. Do anything to disrupt the thinking processes of the opponent. Create a mental block in the opposition and then use the opportunity this creates to either attack or escape.

 Hurt.
Hurt the opponent with any technique that momentarily breaks their focus or concentration. A simple finger flick to either the eyes or the crotch will do the trick.

Body Movement Tactics

The following seven tactics may be incorporated into your training programme. These exercises have three main functions. First, they will add power to your attacks. Second, they will create the opportunities for you to counterattack. Third, by your upper body mobile you will prove difficult to hit. Even when you fail to block an attack, the act of moving away from that attack will reduce the impact.

These tactics are much more important than any of the blocks and parries. That is because the tactics which follow are much more instinctive and are easier to develop than the blocks and parries. It is much easier to duck or dodge a punch than it is to block a punch. A blocking technique will force you to fully commit yourself to a single punch when you are more likely to be faced with either multiple, simultaneous or combination attacks.

If you are inexperienced, the thinking process involved in blocking a punch is cumbersome. First you have to detect the punch coming. Next, you have to decide how to block it. Following that, you have to decide how to counter attack or even block the second punch. Get realistic about unrehearsed attacks, try to hit first. If you can't do that, either run for your life, move your body out of the line of fire or try these;

• Ducking. Bend forward slightly at the waist. This will allow punches directed at your face to go over your shoulder. Keep your eyes on the opponent at all times. Recover your stance by springing up again, but not to your former position, go to the side slightly.
• Crouching. Bend your knees slightly in order to allow punches directed at your head to go over your shoulder. Keep your eyes on the opponents chest area so that you can continue to observe their follow up. Crouching can also be used to get you close to the opponents lower targets for knife, stick and palm heel tactics.
• Weaving. Move your upper body sideways to the left and the right. Do this by bending sideways at the waist and pushing off from the legs. For example, to weave left, combine the actions of straightening the right leg, bending the left and bending at the waist.
• Shooting. Move your upper body either directly forward or back by flexing at the waist. Shooting forward will take you in close to the opponent as well as adding power to your strike. To shoot forward, the leading knee cap moves over the leading foot. At the same time, you straighten your rear leg and bend forward at the waist. Shooting back will allow you to escape the full force of the opponents attack. Do this by pushing off from the front leg and bending the back leg slightly. At the same time lean back slightly from the waist. Shooting forward can be modified and more committed by sliding the leading foot forward in the initial steps. Shooting back can be modified by sliding the rear leg back as well. For both these modifications, you must be certain that the terrain is safe and you will not stumble.
• Turning and Acceleration. The speed and impact effect of punches and kicks are not generated by the hands or feet in isolation. The act of turning the hips and shoulders into the target will accelerate all your techniques. To speed up your right punches from the left leading stance consider the following actions. Collapse the right knee in slightly. This will jerk the right side of your body forward. As your knee bends, turn your right shoulder and hip into the target. During this period, your fist will be accelerated towards the target. Further acceleration can be achieved when you extend your shoulder with the punch. This extension is achieved by relaxing the muscles around the shoulder joint and allowing the shoulder mass to move forward towards your chin. More acceleration can be added by shooting forward during this action. All these individual actions are not designed to increase the distance your fist has to travel. These actions are designed to accelerate your fist over the short distance it has to travel.
• Bobbing. Bobbing is a combination of weaving in one direction, ducking or crouching and then weaving in the other direction. This is a common tactic used in boxing. In this case the boxer weaves low to the right in order to avoid the opponents left jab. When the jab is over the left shoulder the defender ducks low and weaves to their left. This action will take them away from a possible right punch. Bobbing is used by counter punchers. While weaving right to avoid a left punch, they will use a left hook. When they weave to the left, they will use a right hook.
• Hopping. Provided the ground is safe, hopping can be used to counter rush attacks. As the opponent rushes forward you must get out of their line of attack. This is done by simply hopping on both feet to either the left or right of the opponents line of attack. This will disrupt the attackers plans for a vital fraction of a second. That is long enough for you to mount a counter attack. Use hook kicks and punches after hopping.

Feinting

A feint is a physical action used on the opponent to induce a reaction. Your aim is to capitalise on their predicted reaction to that action. The opponents reaction can be anything from a simple knee jerk reaction to their counter attack. Your initial feint must be strong and deliberate enough to draw the opponents attention. As soon as you have the opponents attention drawn to one area, you attack at another point. Initial direct attacks are very rarely successful in their execution. Because of this fact, feints are essential for opening up the opponents defensive posture.

Perfect or Practical?

In a real fight, never wait to land the perfect shot. This strategy  can allow you to be attacked first with a mediocre but painfully distracting hit from the opposition. Punches always need a perfect angle and opportunity in order for them to make a damaging hit without the puncher being injured themselves. To counter this blind spot in your fighting repertoire, use palm heel strikes from any angle, to reach the opponent's ear area in any situation without fear of serious hand injury to yourself.

It will prove impossible, most of the time, for you to accurately strike nerve points or specific vulnerable areas. This is because the target is always shifting position. As well as that, the target will be hitting back, something the training bag  will never do.  If you have any common sense, you will also be moving in order to hit without being hit yourself.  If it is difficult to strike nerve points accurately for good effect, it is also possible for you to accidentally strike an area with fatal consequences. One of the safest and most effective strikes to use is a palm heel hook or thrust to the ear area.

Because you are usually fighting with drunks and individuals who may have a debilitated condition through inadequate self care or drug abuse, there is a potential danger of seriously injuring  them in a bar fight. You may also be in danger of contacting  a virus or disease if you are splattered by their blood, vomit or saliva. These  factors will further limit the targets you can aim at. Again the palm heel attack to the ear area can be used to weaken their resistance whenever necessary.

In a fighting situation, you have two avenues of attack:

• First, you can Blitzkrieg the opponent by hitting from every angle.
• Second, you can Hammer away at the same spot until the opposition is subdued.

For the untrained, the Blitzkrieg is more difficult to activate and is also less instinctive. This is because it demands an active, analytical form of thinking.

Combat is always performed at a very base level of intellectual consciousness. Thinking, seeing and hearing are usually focused directly on the immediate threat. For this reason, the Hammer approach is a better tactic for the inexperienced fighter. The Hammer is more instinctive, single minded and can be used to break down the opponents covering up tactics.

The physical strength required to defeat an opponent is a limited commodity that evaporates after 5 - 10 seconds of hard combat. The flow of adrenaline, that occurs at the start of a stressful encounter, will sap your strength if it is not controlled.

Using the Hammer tactic will sap your strength if the opponents defence is good. Why persist in using valuable energy on an opponent who can cover up and bide their time until your energy level drops? Against an aggressive opponent, hammering away with a single technique will give the opponent time to switch tactics and counterattack. For example, why try to head butt an opponent who is pushing away at your chest. You may try the head butt several times before realizing there is no connection taking place. Meanwhile your strength is sapped, the initiative has gone and the mind set of a single tactic will leave you in an impasse, open to counterattack.

Blitzkrieg or Hammer? For the door supervisor the best response is the Hammer approach. Keep a small group of tactics that can be adapted to suit any event and hammer these home till you gain control. Once you see the opposition closing down and going defensive, you can switch targets at will. Always remember that these tactics must not cause permanent damage to the opponent, so you can use them without thinking and with confidence when the situation turns ballistic on you.