Well, things have been pretty slow, so I thought I'd throw this topic out there. I'm aware that we should be striving to use our training in every aspect of our lives, but I'd like to hear about specific instances where you've had to use your training to protect yourself, or another, either with taijutsu, or just your awareness and ability to avoid a bad situation.
I'll start:
Last weekend I met some friends out at a bar where I bounce part-time (mainly when they have a band). About 10-15 minutes after I got there, there was a problem. The bartender was trying to deal with situation solo, as this incident happened a little bit before his bouncer was scheduled to come in. What follows is a mix of what I knew at the time, and what I was able to piece together during/after the events from talking to other people.
I was playing a game of foosball with my friends (losing badly, if anyone's interested) when I look up in time to see one of the off-duty bartenders go flying over her stool and take a header on the floor (we'll call her Kim). The on-duty bartender (let's call him Mike) came out from behind the bar and had things under control, or so I thought. Within a few seconds though, there was a flurry of activity around Kim, Mike, and her boyfriend (who we'll dub Ted).
Ted and Kim unfortunately have a history of scrapping when one or other has been drinking. In this case, both had, not just beer, but several shots in a short period of time. What I was able to piece together later, was Ted and Kim were arguing. Kim took exception to something Ted said, and swatted him. Ted responded by shoving her. In her inebriated state, Kim staggered back, tripped over her barstool and took the dive I mentioned above. Most of the bar saw only the second part of the exchange, so Ted was in real danger of being lynched.
Mike grabbed Ted, and shoved him back into the bar office. IMO, this was the smartest thing he could have done. Not that I condone Ted's actions, but Mike's responsibility at this point was preventing a fight inside the bar. At this point, I realized Mike was apparently flying solo, and ran over to help. Several good ol' boys who were in the bar were already moving towards the office. After a quick exchange between Mike and I, where I learned that he had no backup yet, Kim stepped into the office to scream at Ted. Ted flew into a rage, and Mike and I were forced to restrain him. Of course, the whole time Ted was threatening us both with a variety of nasty fates. Attempting to reason with Ted that Mike and I were trying to prevent him being stomped to death in the middle of the bar fell on deaf ears. At some point, Ted managed to shove Mike to one side, and attempted to do the same to me. I was able to establish and maintain hand contact on his shoulders and arms, shifting his balance enough that he had no base to either grapple or punch. Eventually, out of frustration I think more than anything else, Ted began to calm down, and called his brother to pick him up.
As a nice bonus, I drank free for the rest of the night, as during the initial part of the exchange between Ted and I, I was able to jam a punch that stopped about an inch short of Mike's nose...
Anyone else?
Jeff
I'll start:
Last weekend I met some friends out at a bar where I bounce part-time (mainly when they have a band). About 10-15 minutes after I got there, there was a problem. The bartender was trying to deal with situation solo, as this incident happened a little bit before his bouncer was scheduled to come in. What follows is a mix of what I knew at the time, and what I was able to piece together during/after the events from talking to other people.
I was playing a game of foosball with my friends (losing badly, if anyone's interested) when I look up in time to see one of the off-duty bartenders go flying over her stool and take a header on the floor (we'll call her Kim). The on-duty bartender (let's call him Mike) came out from behind the bar and had things under control, or so I thought. Within a few seconds though, there was a flurry of activity around Kim, Mike, and her boyfriend (who we'll dub Ted).
Ted and Kim unfortunately have a history of scrapping when one or other has been drinking. In this case, both had, not just beer, but several shots in a short period of time. What I was able to piece together later, was Ted and Kim were arguing. Kim took exception to something Ted said, and swatted him. Ted responded by shoving her. In her inebriated state, Kim staggered back, tripped over her barstool and took the dive I mentioned above. Most of the bar saw only the second part of the exchange, so Ted was in real danger of being lynched.
Mike grabbed Ted, and shoved him back into the bar office. IMO, this was the smartest thing he could have done. Not that I condone Ted's actions, but Mike's responsibility at this point was preventing a fight inside the bar. At this point, I realized Mike was apparently flying solo, and ran over to help. Several good ol' boys who were in the bar were already moving towards the office. After a quick exchange between Mike and I, where I learned that he had no backup yet, Kim stepped into the office to scream at Ted. Ted flew into a rage, and Mike and I were forced to restrain him. Of course, the whole time Ted was threatening us both with a variety of nasty fates. Attempting to reason with Ted that Mike and I were trying to prevent him being stomped to death in the middle of the bar fell on deaf ears. At some point, Ted managed to shove Mike to one side, and attempted to do the same to me. I was able to establish and maintain hand contact on his shoulders and arms, shifting his balance enough that he had no base to either grapple or punch. Eventually, out of frustration I think more than anything else, Ted began to calm down, and called his brother to pick him up.
As a nice bonus, I drank free for the rest of the night, as during the initial part of the exchange between Ted and I, I was able to jam a punch that stopped about an inch short of Mike's nose...

Anyone else?
Jeff