Threat Awareness

The problem of anticipating situations lend to superficial solutions. A student once asked what is the best solution if a knife has been put near your neck while you were asleep. I tried my best how to answer it as appropriately as possible. Real problem-solving must utilize the scientific method of identifying all variables to a given phenomena and evaluate and analyze the end result. In the question given, a self-defense trainer must get their students to realize the other variables aside from the fact of the knife and the "victim" being prone and asleep.

What other variables could there be? We must realize that all phenomena is the result of processes. What led to the knife pointing are a series of events and factors. Was the door to the room locked before the "victim" slept? Does it have a spare key? Is the attacker known to the victim and has access to the room? Variables such as these could lead to the said incident. Therefore avoiding such occurrence will rely on the negation of these variables.

Rather than concentrate on how to thwart the knife attack, an ounce of prevention goes a long way. Indeed, personal threat awareness is the essence of an efficient self-defense system.  You defeat the core concepts of Waya-an if after training you enter a dark-lit alley because you are self-assured you can handle any kind of mugging.

Threat awareness, tactical avoidance and tactical contingency response are necessary components of a self-defense system, not just physical attributes and counter-conflict training. 

However, we must also realize that social demography plays a role on individual security. The poor cannot afford to have  a panic room, much less a real house. The poor lives in crime infested inner cities, and so on and so forth. Trainers therefore must understand the social aspect of the curriculum. To a kid whose parents can hire bodyguards and one who lives in the slums with an abusive stepfather requires different approaches to methodology. 

Self-defense: Important Notes

A lot of martial arts schools and self-defense dojos now offer personalized training as compared to some years ago when the curriculum was much the same with a 300 lbs. guy and a 95 lbs. lady. The change in curricula came in when students and even blackbelts were geating beaten on the streets. Instructors realized that a lot has not been working as planned.

One of the basic realizations in methodology is that there is no one medicine to cure all self-defense infirmities. A 300 lbs guy who can bench press a truck does not need very much tutoring than a weakling 100 lbs. geek. You do not train a 7 year old kid how to punch his way out of a possible kidnapping. It is not only useless but also inane. Even if taught well to be aggressive and ferocious, he will not be able to generate a level of power that can inflict substantial pain to his aggressor. In the streets, Goliath has a certain advantage. A mouse, even with all the "unos" he can muster simply has little chance of winning a over a bored full-sized cat.

So for kids below 12, especially asians with their smaller built, must be taught character and the "spirit" to problem-solve threat situations. A mouse survives not by pitting strength and power against a cat but by "tactical avoidance". The mouse scouts for predators before he goes foraging. He has an escape route. He nestles himself in inaccesible lairs.

One excellent way to survive threat situations is by cooperation. Kids must be taught how to work as a team. A flea is insignificant but as an army it is mighty. Just ask the dog next to you. Siblings and friends must be taught how to work together. 

Tactical avoidance means ensuring kids that they know basic safety measures such as locking doors and not talking to strangers, etc. Another concept is tactical contingency reaction which means kids must know how to seek help, such as memorizing emergency numbers.

Character development entails building confidence and resolve. It entails empowerment phsychologically, emotionally and physically. 

Adults and parents thus must be supportive and nurturing. The real self-defense response for children must come from their adult guardians. It is the responsibility of adults to protect children.

Self-defense: No Formula Written in Stone

Sunday, August 31, 2008, we entered into our third session in Waya-an Self-defense. It was attended by the older students. We were greatly impressed by how fast the students were internalizing the lessons. 

From the start we were always reminding them that there will be no particular techniques to memorize and it will be all up to each individuals' strength and preference. Indeed, one student was devastating with her straight thrust palm-heel strike and another was proficient with her elbows.

Bihan Agni, the nun who has been training with us from day one, showed remarkable "unos" qualities. A few more drills simulating multiple attackers and knife awareness and she will be ready for the combatives phase of Waya-an.

We are impressed that in three sessions the older students have grasped the core lesson of Waya-an. Supposedly at least seven sessions are needed for them to reach a functional level. With these development, it is highly probable they can graduate from the self-defense course by December of this year.

What made them impressive is their innate understanding that there is no formula to it. That it is all about ferocity and aggression and the "will" to survive the improbable odds. Perhaps we the instructors are the ones who need to train under them and find out what gives them such "spirit".

I am excited to go into the fourth session. We have lined-up ground-work drills and a review of countering multiple attackers. I am very sure we will have surprises again.