Common threat scenarios

2Green · Post by **2Green** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 4:59 am

There are some common "classic" threat scenarios; I'm sure we've all seen examples like:
1: Threatener advances toward you, shaking right-arm fist in your face.

2: Threatener "squares off" like John Wayne and dances around, goading you.

3: Threatener walks behind you, picking up the pace to close distance.

4: Threatener pops out in front as you are on the sidewalk, blocks your way.

5: Threateners are leaning on your car in the parking lot, three of them.

The list goes on; please, add some of your own along this line.

My question is: do "you" (your dojo or you personally) acknowledge and prepare responses for these typical scenarios?
And if you do, what strategies do you work on?
Have you dealt with any of the common threats? How so?

In the back of my mind, I'm thinking that "role playing" has a large part to play in S/D training; more so as time goes on and things get tougher.
Lacking the full-out "bullet-man" training facility, any dojo could maybe implement role playing to introduce stress and realism into regular training incorporating these basic real-world scenarios.
In addition, I'd bet many school-age students could contribute many realistic scenarios that would pertain to their world, and perhaps surprise us "more mature" practitioners.

NM

Michael L.E. Court · Post by **Michael L.E. Court** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 6:53 am

Im always training for situations like this .... specifically like this, as well as your 'general' training.

Im getting ready to get off work, so to post in haste ...

We (people I have and do train with) 'RP' multiple situations, some of which you described and others.

I remember one time getting off work, walking home ... downtown Seattle at the time. I work nights ...

RL Scenario:

This big guy (6'4"ish/250ish) is walking opposite my direction on the same sidewalk as myself. No indication of him looking odd or looking like he was going to attack me in any fashion, seemingly just minding his own business.

While we are walking past each other, when he is at the closest to me ... he suddenly charge/swings at my midsection !!! I was thinking like WTF?!!

I instincly 'reacted' (I had no choice, as I didnt sense until he had attacked ... I was up all night and fairly tired). I 'emptied' out my midsection, slightly angling the best I could to his outside, trapping his arm as it passed and then strike/pushing his forward knee while pushing him away. (Im a fairly muscular guy). He went flying away from me ... straight into a sprint away ....

I didnt bother chasing him, he did not hurt me ... but I wondered if he would do this to someone else (Im sure he would, and to someone not quite as intimidating as myself). It was very strange .... and non-expected ... yet it happened.

Scary world out there, even for us practitioners !! I also am thankful he did not have a knife, dont know if I would have emptied out enough ....

Going home now ... post next time

Humbly,

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 2:44 pm

Good post! Scenario training is an important component of any self defense curriculum.

Understanding your limitations and improving your options are the two best things you can do in such situations. Being clever helps.

To start with, having a cell phone and calling 911 is a wonderful weapon. For the three folks hovering around your car, I'd use that approach first, depending of course on the body language of the three folks. Maybe they are just hanging out, and maybe not. If at all in doubt, improve your odds by calling in reinforcements.

Concealed carry helps.

VSD skills and a loud, commanding voice can help draw attention to a situation where you are "cut off from the pack," and may help justify deadly force on your part should it become necessary.

Perhaps the best solution is learning how not to get in many of these "no win" scenarios. Like a chess game where you are behind in pieces, things can degenerate pretty quickly. Best to think ahead like the chess master.

I'll add one more interesting situation to your scenario challenges. A small group of people walk by you. The littlest one sucker punches you while passing by.

- Bill

Walkman · Post by **Walkman** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 9:39 pm

I've never trained with role-playing before, although Fuller sensei mentioned he had some plans to do so in the future.

BTW-Micheal, your avatar is making me sea-sick

Michael L.E. Court · Post by **Michael L.E. Court** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 12:39 am

Walkman wrote: BTW-Micheal, your avatar is making me sea-sick

Heh, my mind deception is working !!! j/k

Sorry about that. I like the idea of continual motion

Pertaining to the scenario with a group coming and one of the smaller attempting to throw a sucker punch:

Ideally, I would intercept, 'destroy', trap and control him immediately ... positioning him as a human sheild between myself and the group and immediately moving towards the street to not only ensure being in an open area but to hopefully get some people to see the situation and therefore call 911.

If I am hit, hopefully still apply the same tactics, with the difference being absorbing the blow and immediately flowing into destroy, trap and control methods while continueing to move in an advantagous position.

Humbly,