Sensei Alan Says:

“You don’t know a thing about Self Defense – until you know
the “Self” that you are trying to Defend –

True words these are, in the business of teaching “Self Defense.” I’ve learned that people often defend themselves, with very little concept of the nature of whom they are defending.

Untrained, and unprepared, they react “predictably- like Prey” The unprepared are the most likely to be caught by surprise and end up acting momentarily stunned! I call this the Flinch, Lock, and Change Up phenomenon.

On the other hand, the aggressor, or predator, depends on the predictable reactions of their prey, in order to be successful. Predators study the behavior of their prey. They want to know all there is to know about how to catch them unprepared. In fact, it is accurate to say that successful predators “prepare to catch the prey, unprepared.”

Take for instance the Bass fishermen. They can tell you all about the habits of their prey -- BASS. They know when the fish sleep, mate, eat, and where they are likely to habitat at various times of the day. They are successful because they are aware of the practices of their prey, and can therefore make informed predictions about the prey’s behavior. Bass fisherman use that knowledge to make them successful. The Bass on the other hand, are not so aware, and as a result, they become prey.

Examine the approach used by a team of big cats on the hunt in the jungle plains. Their tactic is to study the grazing patterns of the herd, and then to surprise their prey by pressing the attack on one side. The initial attack is the decoy. This attack is meant to be seen and subsequently to cause shock and a predictable reaction. The prey reacts by running away from the on-coming attack. But unfortunately for them, their flight takes them right into the direction of the awaiting ambushers – the other lions.

This tactic forms the basis for most ambushes, i.e. surprise the victims into a poorly defended position. The “trap” block in the game of football, is yet another example. This block depends on the penetration of the defensive lineman getting caught by a surprise block from an offensive lineman who catches them from an unsuspecting angle. To catch the unsuspecting or unprepared prey, by surprise, is the predator’s game, and the successful predators know what to expect from their predictable prey.
From a Self Defense Teachers Point of view, however, it is the lack of knowledge about the “SELF” that creates the big disadvantage for the prey – or victim. The trick is to be able to “ACT” and not simply react to the predators moves. Like the Boy Scout Motto: Being prepared, is the key.

Back to the jungle analogy, there are some antelope herds that follow the predators who come to drink at the watering hole. By keeping back a safe distance, some of the herd can drink, while others keep an eye out. They’re safe in the knowledge of how far is the distance between them and the predator. They’re safety is again, based in knowledge.

In the business if creating excellent self-defense students, it is important for them to know - first hand - by weakness they have to be exploited. They must first learn to “cover their weaknesses” or protect there down side. That leads to confidence, and skill building awareness.

Most importantly – it makes them a much tougher prey. There's more.... but we’ll save that for the next lesson.