What is your self defense specialty?

[Steve]

Well, I considered bring back a thread from 2006 on Self Defense. A lot of good, general definitions in that thread. But figured it would be better to just start a new one.

We talk a lot about self defense in broad terms. A lot of posts along the lines of dealing with a threat to your physical or mental safety. But I think that leads to a lot of misunderstanding. So, if you think about a bouncer as being a specialist in a particular area of self defense. Or a cop, or an MMA fighter, or anyone else... what's your specialty? What do you think you've done enough in your life that you would consider yourself an expert in that area?

Have you been in a lot of bar fights? Or better yet, almost been in a lot of bar fights? Have you lived in an area where violent crime is more common? Did you take public transit for long enough to get a Spidey sense when something weird was happening?

 

[Buka]

My strength has always been to see things coming, reading people, reading a room, and talking down most of the people involved. Working many years in bars helped that, as did working as a cop.

But my weakness has always been getting involved with other people's problems. I always used to step in when someone was getting hassled or set up. I don't do it much anymore as I don't see much of it over here, at least when I'm not working.

One of my best friends would answer your OP thusly - "I grew up with five brothers, four of whom were crazy." He saw everything coming. Several times over the years he'd whisper to me, "We're outta here, ship is to hit the fan." Sure enough, we'd hear the next day about something that went down just after we left.

 

[Steve]

My strength has always been to see things coming, reading people, reading a room, and talking down most of the people involved. Working many years in bars helped that, as did working as a cop.

But my weakness has always been getting involved with other people's problems. I always used to step in when someone was getting hassled or set up. I don't do it much anymore as I don't see much of it over here, at least when I'm not working.

Reading people and talking people down are definitely useful skills to have. I've mentioned before that I worked for many years with people who were disabled or aged and very poor, often homeless. Everyone was dealing with a lot of heavy stuff, and much of the time, I was dealing with them when they were very angry or upset about something (sometimes justified and sometimes not). The trick was that I had to calm them down enough to figure out how to help them, so simply kicking them out or arresting them wasn't a real option, though it sometimes came to that.

One of my best friends would answer your OP thusly - "I grew up with five brothers, four of whom were crazy." He saw everything coming. Several times over the years he'd whisper to me, "We're outta here, ship is to hit the fan." Sure enough, we'd hear the next day about something that went down just after we left.

I had three older brothers, but I'd say this is one of my weaknesses, because I when I'm concentrating on things, I tune out pretty much everything else. I can miss a lot of drama that's going on around when I'm reading a book.

 

[John dye]

My strength has always been to see things coming, reading people, reading a room, and talking down most of the people involved. Working many years in bars helped that, as did working as a cop.

But my weakness has always been getting involved with other people's problems. I always used to step in when someone was getting hassled or set up. I don't do it much anymore as I don't see much of it over here, at least when I'm not working.

One of my best friends would answer your OP thusly - "I grew up with five brothers, four of whom were crazy." He saw everything coming. Several times over the years he'd whisper to me, "We're outta here, ship is to hit the fan." Sure enough, we'd hear the next day about something that went down just after we left.

Great. Skill i can talk most guys down. Sometimes my. Job makes it hard to be on point not enough guys

 

[Steve]

Great. Skill i can talk most guys down. Sometimes my. Job makes it hard to be on point not enough guys

I don't understand what this means.

 

[Rich Parsons]

Well, I considered bring back a thread from 2006 on Self Defense. A lot of good, general definitions in that thread. But figured it would be better to just start a new one.

Figures - I like Math.

We talk a lot about self defense in broad terms. A lot of posts along the lines of dealing with a threat to your physical or mental safety. But I think that leads to a lot of misunderstanding. So, if you think about a bouncer as being a specialist in a particular area of self defense. Or a cop, or an MMA fighter, or anyone else... what's your specialty?

I have done Bouncing and Event Security as well as personal and group security.

What do you think you've done enough in your life that you would consider yourself an expert in that area?

I would not consider myself an expert nor a professional in any of these at this time for self defense.

Have you been in a lot of bar fights?

Only while working security or bouncing. Too many to count and not recent.

Or better yet, almost been in a lot of bar fights?

Lots of almost. I used verbal JJ and verbal and physical posturing .
Also too many to count.

Have you lived in an area where violent crime is more common?

Lived? Where I rested my head was pretty safe. Not perfect. Yet pretty safe.
I worked in Flint and the suburbs that had the criminal elements and gangs come to my location(s).
Mid to Late 80's a slow summer weekday night was 10+ near or almost events a night and 3 to 4 actual physical combat or contact.
I would say one serious - either they or myself had to go directly to the hospital. And I didn't go that often.
Not because I was that good, think Lucky and maybe not that smart.
Weekend nights was a factor of 2 or 3 .

Fall was about the same as a Summer week.

Late Fall and Winter was reduced, yet still present.

Did you take public transit for long enough to get a Spidey sense when something weird was happening?

I did Not get the sense from Public transit. I got it working crowds and arcades and having to be aware of things around me.
Note: Still got hit, and stabbed in the leg and much more. So once again not smart, and mostly lucky.

 

[Xue Sheng]

Have you been in a lot of bar fights? Or better yet, almost been in a lot of bar fights? Have you lived in an area where violent crime is more common? Did you take public transit for long enough to get a Spidey sense when something weird was happening?

I worked security for a number of years, and one of those times was in a hospital with a mental health and detox ward. I got pretty good at reading people, talking them down and changing their mind. But even with that the hospital with the mental health and detox, mostly the detox, gave me multiple confrontations, well over 30 in 90 days. I got good at joint lock and restraint. Never had to throw a punch, blocked a few, ducked a few, even ducked one of those stainless steel buckets, you see in ERs, that was thrown at my head....but restraint, and taking that restraint to the floor, if possible, seemed to work rather well. Did trip a charging bull, whacked out on some drug, pro wrestler once too.... he was cooperative after that

 

[John dye]

I don't understand what this means.

No matter how good you are if your back up or witness is not there or bad backup usually have more issues and there is always that guy
Just wants to test you

 

[Guardian]

I was an Air Force Cop for a portion of my career, then when I retired I went to work for Animal Services in my city. Now you talk about folks getting uptight to the point of anal it's when you deal with their animals lol. I would say my strength is talking people down from hyper to a mild irritated situation where I can talk to them, a lot of it is just listening till they burn off the excess anger all the while keeping my distance if everything goes south, I watch their hand movement, their eyes, what's around us weapon wise and I lived lol.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

I though we are talking about "what MA skill do you have when dealing with attack?"

 

[O'Malley]

My SD specialty is talking about it on the internet.

 

[Steve]

My SD specialty is talking about it on the internet.

You could start your own school.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

The best SD specialty is:

- Look down on the ground as if you are afraid to make any eyes contact.
- Shake your body like a fish.
- Pee you pants if you can.
- You suddenly jump in and eat your opponent alive.

The best SD is to make your opponent to defend himself.

A: Sweetheart, Please don't go jogging in the Central Park. People had been robbed in that park all the time.
B: Don't worry sweetie, I'll be careful. I'm a bit short on cash today.

 

[JowGaWolf]

I have super powers. Mind Control..

 

[O'Malley]

You could start your own school.

Too much competition.

 

[Holmejr]

Well, I considered bring back a thread from 2006 on Self Defense. A lot of good, general definitions in that thread. But figured it would be better to just start a new one.

We talk a lot about self defense in broad terms. A lot of posts along the lines of dealing with a threat to your physical or mental safety. But I think that leads to a lot of misunderstanding. So, if you think about a bouncer as being a specialist in a particular area of self defense. Or a cop, or an MMA fighter, or anyone else... what's your specialty? What do you think you've done enough in your life that you would consider yourself an expert in that area?

Have you been in a lot of bar fights? Or better yet, almost been in a lot of bar fights? Have you lived in an area where violent crime is more common? Did you take public transit for long enough to get a Spidey sense when something weird was happening?

Christian principles and a quick wit. I've only been in one two physical confrontations, each one ended in locks. Both by reaction time, fluidity and element of surprise. While submitted, I asked the people if we were cool and if they promised to stop, they said yes (uncle!) and we went about our business or I bought them a beer, can't remember exactly...

 

[Hanshi]

Hmmm, I always try to stay away (generally successful at it) from places that brew trouble!

 

[Argus]

No specialty, but I am really good at being agreeable and non-threatening, and that has allowed me to stay out of trouble and diffuse and avoid a few situations.

I spend a lot of time thinking about appropriate use of force, legal considerations, and avoidance and diffusing situations. I think a lot about decision making, and how to make the right decisions in a given moment that I will need to live with the consequences of. I take all that very seriously.

As physical skills go, while I am not particularly good in anything, I aim to be very well rounded (learning to be aware of and deal with weapons, multiple attackers, and the very big differences between sparring and real world violence) and how to be effective as a very small, light weight person (I've weighed very consistently around 125lbs throughout my entire adult life, and am neither tall nor particularly short). If I ever do need to protect myself, it is very likely to be from someone much bigger than I am.

 

[Urban Trekker]

I think I'm the perfect size. I'm fairly big guy, so I'm not likely to be selected as a target. But I'm also not big enough to be seen as a threat to be eliminated in a SHTF scenario.

Even outside of that, my self-defense specialty is remaining "grey." I carry a PANS backpack, which probably wouldn't be considered "grey" in most areas, but it works just fine in my neck of the woods with a heavy military and veteran population.

 

[nigebj]

The best SD specialty is:

- Look down on the ground as if you are afraid to make any eyes contact.

Well I get that you are joking, but at this point you don't get the chance to try the other steps