Premeditated Self Defense - Superior to Traditional Pre-Emptive Striking?

As forward-thinking as the philosophy of New Age Self Defense may appear (with regard to the avoidance of danger and the diversion of physical and other threats from the practitioner), the reality is that nobody can rule out the possibility of being confronted by physical violence.

If you are not equipped to deal with physical threats of the highest magnitude, you are not properly equipped for self defense. Being able to deal with all forms of violence doesn't actually relate directly to combat or martial arts training - although it can. Traditional self defense training correctly emphasises that the 'beauty' of the grotesque reality - which we call "violation" - is that only a small number of very simple tasks need to be carried out in order to effect the neutralisation of a violent threat (once actual violence actually breaks out).

But this misses a crucial point - the nature of some real life ambushes is such that the victim may never see any signs that the attack is about to happen.

We often need to prepare a few steps ahead of any potential crisis if we are to be able to influence its outcome. This is where NASD comes into its own. If you are to achieve the ultimate NASD ideal (of becoming truly invincible) - it goes without saying that you'll need to understand the practicalities of Real Violence. Note my emphasis on the term 'real violence.'

People who have not been violated in the truest sense - or who have not seen genuine, threatening violence unfold - may only understand violence as the type of 'fights' they see on TV - or the fights they've seen in schoolyards, etc. I am not saying those examples are not sometimes closely related to life-threatening reality (because they sometimes are) - but I am not convinced that the majority of such examples can prepare you for the situation of feeling that a life which you value is at threat (whether it's your life - or someone else's).

One of the main rules about real violence and physical attacks is that you are almost always in a position from which you are least likely to win. Never forget what I have just written in the last sentence. In self defense situations the attacker is invariably a coward. By this I mean that you will never be physically attacked by an opponent if that assailant is not fully convinced that he/she can easily defeat you.

The 'stage' where a self defense situation unfolds is very much like the African Plains - where herds of herbivores are stalked by fanged, clawed predators. A predator makes a living out of hunting and has to be totally efficient. Predators are not in the business of incurring damage.

A lion will not attack a group of animals if it suspects there is a high likelihood of the victims trying to fight back - unless there is extreme pressure to do so and the prospect of not doing so is considered to be as dangerous as going ahead with the attack. The same scenarios are playing out on the streets of urbanised Westernised cities every day. There are individuals who, for various reasons, feel compelled to 'prey' on others in order to further their own aims. They do this from a position of strength and out of choice. Their habits are planned and premeditated. If your approach to existence and survival is not tailored as 'professionally' as theirs, they will prevail (should you fit the profile of the prey they seek).

Here's an example: A 5'5" tall, 130lbs woman (trained to Brown Belt in Karate - but doesn't compete and only does it for exercise) is taking a shortcut home through the local park. In the past she's thought about what she'd do if attacked by a stranger and she knows the importance of pre-emptive striking to lethal target areas of the body - such as eyes and groin. She is skilled enough to deliver a good pre-emptive strike (as she has been taught through her martial arts and self defense training).

A man of 6'5" tall and 245lbs in weight, formerly a martial arts regional champion - who has now 'lost his way' in society and considers himself ostracised (after numerous prison terms for violent behaviour and personal theft) has seen her use that route a number of times in the past. He made a decision a while ago that he was going to rape her and he has hung around at times when she's likely to pass by. He has observed her and the surrounding area and is certain that when she comes in from her Thursday late shift the area is virtually deserted.

3 times now he has planned to ambush her, but has seen other people in the vicinity and given up. One day he decides conditions are perfect. He's been drinking - but not much - and has used some marijuana to calm himself that evening. He sees her coming along the path and has picked out a concealed spot to hide. As she passes he slips out suddenly, but silently - from behind her - and punches her as hard as he can in the back of the head...

This man has knocked grown men unconscious with his fists and knows how to handle himself in the street. The woman callapses instantly and is barely conscious when she hits the ground. The assailant has a blade which he has revealed and kicks her a few times in the torso and face - and generally roughs her up. He holds the blade at her throat and rapes her - whispering threats constantly to dissuade her from trying to fight back. She couldn't fight back even if she wanted to because of the severe blows she has already received.

The ability to strike pre-emptively has been of no use to her because she never knew what hit her. Her martial arts abilities were not tested. The predator had done his homework and he had done all the planning in advance. So the situation was fully under his control - never hers.

NASD Learning Point: Remember: attackers will almost always have the upper hand when they attack you (in a situation where you need to defend yourself). They pick their moments on the basis of the situation resulting in one-way traffic. They attack in larger numbers, they are bigger, or they are better armed. They will have had the luxury of preparing in advance for your moment of crisis.

So you also need to plan your self defense in advance, if you are to be able to match an anonymous potential attacker at some stage in future.

Because it is a 'self defense' situation - by definition, the moment of the threat is almost impossible to predict. You must live your life in prepared anticipation of these moments - in the same way that a responsible driver will always buckle up his seatbelt before driving off. It's not paranoid and it's not a tense way to live. It's responsible. Prioritise your self defense goals and then plan how to be successful in the event of a violent threat. When you start doing so, you will feel less concerned - not more worried - about life.

Worry is a symptom of a lack of control. When you are in control you don't feel as stressed as someone who feels like he/she has no control.