Comments on: Responding vs. reacting in self defense http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/responding-vs-reacting-in-self-defense/ Tips, Tutorials, and How-to for Self Defense Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:32:29 -0700 hourly 1 By: Mythbusting and self defense http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/responding-vs-reacting-in-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-810 Mythbusting and self defense Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:32:37 +0000 http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/?p=1190#comment-810 [...] aren’t complicated — anyone can do them. They allow a window of opportunity to get off the attack track and take [...] [...] aren’t complicated — anyone can do them. They allow a window of opportunity to get off the attack track and take [...]

]]> By: Karate yells: Bogus or big help in self defense? http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/responding-vs-reacting-in-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-640 Karate yells: Bogus or big help in self defense? Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:40:21 +0000 http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/?p=1190#comment-640 [...] Push “pause” Sure, if you know the kiai is coming or you are used to them, they are not a big deal. But a powerful, resolved, and utterly focused yell injected into a self defense situation can provide distraction and take an attacker off of the attack track. [...] [...] Push “pause” Sure, if you know the kiai is coming or you are used to them, they are not a big deal. But a powerful, resolved, and utterly focused yell injected into a self defense situation can provide distraction and take an attacker off of the attack track. [...]

]]> By: How to deal with the bully and bullying — a senior karate instructor’s view, part one http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/responding-vs-reacting-in-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-514 How to deal with the bully and bullying — a senior karate instructor’s view, part one Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:23:02 +0000 http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/?p=1190#comment-514 [...] you have to do it with boundary setting and by setting a tone in the relationship where you respond instead of react. You want to do this in ways that won’t escalate things or show anger and frustration. You [...] [...] you have to do it with boundary setting and by setting a tone in the relationship where you respond instead of react. You want to do this in ways that won’t escalate things or show anger and frustration. You [...]

]]> By: Distractions help movie heroes and self defense http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/responding-vs-reacting-in-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-472 Distractions help movie heroes and self defense Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:15:21 +0000 http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/?p=1190#comment-472 [...] Why do you need it? A prepared, ready person can tighten down the stomach, block an attack, and plan a counter attack. A surprised person is put back on their heels, forced to react instead of respond. You want to be the one responding, not reacting. [...] [...] Why do you need it? A prepared, ready person can tighten down the stomach, block an attack, and plan a counter attack. A surprised person is put back on their heels, forced to react instead of respond. You want to be the one responding, not reacting. [...]

]]> By: Lori Hoeck http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/responding-vs-reacting-in-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-462 Lori Hoeck Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:36:45 +0000 http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/?p=1190#comment-462 Hi Marc, "enter when pulled, turn when pushed" Oh, I like that! Hi Marc,
“enter when pulled, turn when pushed”
Oh, I like that!

]]> By: Marc http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/responding-vs-reacting-in-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-461 Marc Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:34:16 +0000 http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/?p=1190#comment-461 In Aikido the premise is to enter when pulled, turn when pushed. In Aikido the premise is to enter when pulled, turn when pushed.

]]> By: Lori Hoeck http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/responding-vs-reacting-in-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-459 Lori Hoeck Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:01:44 +0000 http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/?p=1190#comment-459 Hi Janice, Thank you for the scenario. A lot of people have a backward lean or they tilt back on their heels as an initial reaction to a grab or punch. Anytime you are off balance unintentionally is rarely a good thing in self defense! So a forward move into the attacker would need to have quick follow-ups to be effective. As for struggling vs. slumping I prefer fighting -- striking, blinding, groin ripping, head-butting, biting, and finger breaking -- but hey, that's me. :-) Now, if a quick and calculated weight and body shift like a grappling move would help, then I'd throw that in, too. The key is to throw them off their game by throwing a variety of moves, yells, and actions against them. One of the best moves is the "Nike Defense" -- turn and run to safety! Hi Janice,
Thank you for the scenario. A lot of people have a backward lean or they tilt back on their heels as an initial reaction to a grab or punch. Anytime you are off balance unintentionally is rarely a good thing in self defense! So a forward move into the attacker would need to have quick follow-ups to be effective.

As for struggling vs. slumping I prefer fighting — striking, blinding, groin ripping, head-butting, biting, and finger breaking — but hey, that’s me. :-) Now, if a quick and calculated weight and body shift like a grappling move would help, then I’d throw that in, too.

The key is to throw them off their game by throwing a variety of moves, yells, and actions against them. One of the best moves is the “Nike Defense” — turn and run to safety!

]]> By: janice http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/responding-vs-reacting-in-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-458 janice Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:16:52 +0000 http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/?p=1190#comment-458 A question all life coaches use often is "Is this a reaction or a response?" Any time we take to step back and examine our default, knee jerk reactions and paradigms is good. One scenario that came to my mind is how often folks' instincts tell them to struggle and pull away from an attacker's grab where sometimes a lunge towards them would work better by toppling them and unbalancing them. Struggling while on our feet also makes it easier for someone to drag us somewhere, whereas a quick fake slump to the ground means they have to support all our body weight. If I'm wrong, please straighten me out here, Lori! A question all life coaches use often is “Is this a reaction or a response?” Any time we take to step back and examine our default, knee jerk reactions and paradigms is good.

One scenario that came to my mind is how often folks’ instincts tell them to struggle and pull away from an attacker’s grab where sometimes a lunge towards them would work better by toppling them and unbalancing them. Struggling while on our feet also makes it easier for someone to drag us somewhere, whereas a quick fake slump to the ground means they have to support all our body weight. If I’m wrong, please straighten me out here, Lori!

]]> By: Barbara Swafford http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/responding-vs-reacting-in-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-430 Barbara Swafford Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:59:04 +0000 http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/?p=1190#comment-430 Hi Lori, You have me thinking with this one, but when I read Marc's comment it reminded me of a few times when I've had a customer call who was irate. My first instinct is usually to be on the defensive, but what I've learned to do instead is to let them blow off the steam and then genuinely show them I want to help solve their problem. Just by letting them vent and me listening, not only do they calm down, but they often end up apologizing for their behavior. Hi Lori,

You have me thinking with this one, but when I read Marc’s comment it reminded me of a few times when I’ve had a customer call who was irate. My first instinct is usually to be on the defensive, but what I’ve learned to do instead is to let them blow off the steam and then genuinely show them I want to help solve their problem. Just by letting them vent and me listening, not only do they calm down, but they often end up apologizing for their behavior.

]]> By: Lori Hoeck http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/responding-vs-reacting-in-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-428 Lori Hoeck Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:33:25 +0000 http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/?p=1190#comment-428 Hi Marc, Thank you for the scenario! The response would get you off the track quite well, unless the other person wants to escalate no matter what you say. Hi Marc,
Thank you for the scenario! The response would get you off the track quite well, unless the other person wants to escalate no matter what you say.

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