Comments on: Distractions help movie heroes and self defense

By: Think Like a Black Belt in newsletter

Think Like a Black Belt in newsletter — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:27:57 +0000

[...] Distractions help movie heroes and self defense [...]

By: zaelyna

zaelyna — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:41:07 +0000

“Smiling at the attacker calmly as if you know something they don’t”

I’ve always enjoyed the idea of acting insane around an attacker. Fits my personality so well O:)

By: Top ‘Think Like A Black Belt’ self defense posts

Top ‘Think Like A Black Belt’ self defense posts — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:23:37 +0000

[...] Distractions help movie heroes and self defense [...]

By: What you can do about a shooter in the building, part 2

What you can do about a shooter in the building, part 2 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:41:01 +0000

[...] Visually or physically distract by using fire extinguisher foam or throwing the extinguisher or other items at the [...]

By: Karate yells — bogus or big help in self defense?

Karate yells — bogus or big help in self defense? — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:39:19 +0000

[...] a powerful, resolved, and utterly focused yell injected into a self defense situation can provide distraction and take an attacker off of the attack [...]

By: Lori Hoeck

Lori Hoeck — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:33:35 +0000

Hi Barbara,
Thank you. I like your friend’s awareness and savviness! Now that’s Thinking Like A Black Belt!

Pretending to have a seizure is kind of “iffy” because it leaves you vulnerable — you won’t be able to block a kick or hit if you want to “stay in character.” You can use it to move yourself closer to an improvised weapon or an exit. I’d save this one for faking your way off an airplane where they have kept passengers on for four hours and won’t let anyone off. (Oops, did I write just that out loud?)

By: Lori Hoeck

Lori Hoeck — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:47:04 +0000

Hi Davina,
Forewarned is, indeed, fore-armed.

By: Davina

Davina — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:46:06 +0000

Hi Lori.
Thanks for all of this. It’s interesting how some of these techniques stand out for me. The mental distractions such as faking a quick glance behind the attacker and smiling at them as if I know something they don’t. Great tips. I hope I don’t ever have to use them, but now that you’ve planted the seed, I’ll be ready.

By: Barbara Swafford

Barbara Swafford — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 08:55:38 +0000

Hi Lori,

These are all superb tips. As you know, I had a friend who used the “lie you’re home alone” trick.

I have a friend who lives alone and whenever she needs a service call for TV, phone, or whatever, she keeps one of her bedroom doors closed. She’ll nonchalantly mention her “brother, husband or whomever” is a day sleeper and she “hopes” the noise won’t wake “him”.

I’ve also heard by pretending you’re having a seizure works in some instances.

I love your idea of looking like a scary person. They might be the one running from the scene.

By: Lori Hoeck

Lori Hoeck — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:32:54 +0000

Hi Janice,
Hey, I thought it was a “fanrastical” comment! If Shakespeare could make up words, so can you.

“I tapped into my half century’s worth of films and could imagine myself in all of those situations” — way to make the post more meaningful to you!