The cognitive process of selfdefense is complex. Developing the mindset and tactics to accompany technical skills is essential, but all too often neglected. Here we’ll show you where to begin to develop a mental process for self-defense.
We must determine what overall goals we’re trying to accomplish, and then we can determine tactics and techniques that’ll help us achieve our overarching objective.
There are four essential goals that’ll help us prioritize our efforts to become more formidable self-defenders. The goals are to avoid, deter, recognize, and prevail. Each goal is sequential in that, if you successfully accomplish one, you may not need to accomplish the next. These goals provide a series of “off-ramps,” allowing an exit from the “danger zone” before a fight occurs. Failing that, we want to set the conditions to win the truly unavoidable fight. Let’s examine each goal in turn.
AVOID
You can’t lose a fight you don’t have. This seems self-evident, but the news is full of stories of people who made choices leading to avoidable confrontations they end up losing. As private citizens, the law and good sense define our mission — and it’s very different from that of military or law enforcement: Break contact with dangerous situations as early
