Protect You: The Ultimate Self Defence Guide

By Sylvan Clarke

This Third and last book of the ‘Protect You’ series has been comprehensively
revised and updated to incorporate the New and Final addition titled ’Protect
You - Communication Management’
The Ultimate Self Defence Guide offers the complete ‘Protect You’ Trilogy in one
exclusive book;
• Protect You - Communication Management
• Protect You - Understanding Bullying and Aggressive Behaviour
• Protect You - The Street Smart Way
Self defence remains a worry for everyone and is integral to self preservation.
Sylvan Clarke’s books continue to provide practical advice on understanding
modern day street psychology and the physics of self defence protection.
Capturing and analysing the processes of struggle and management over confl ict
Sylvan shows how to develop better communications by improving the way
in which unspoken messages and attitudes are exchanged to help develop and
manage disruptive behaviour in a non confrontational way.
The Ultimate Self Defence Guide offers a complete and balanced account of the
philosophy and skills required to deal with everyday challenges. It offers dozens
of tested techniques and proven action strategies that show you how to;
• Be more assertive with friends, family members and diffi cult co-workers
• Defend yourself if physically attacked
• Develop your own complete self defence system.
• Empower you to take control of your life and enjoy new levels of personal
success.
This book is written in simple, clear language and is designed to provide immediate,
practical and effective guidance on Self Defence Management to all readers.
Includes two exclusive Short Stories written by Sylvan Clarke; The Hunter - A
man and his dream and Queens Gambit - Sauce for the Goose.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Aug 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781728356600

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

A Mountain out of a Mole Hill

Throughout my life I have observed many instances where small issues have been blown out of all proportion, creating severe hatred, violence and death.

A bike ride away from prison

I remember one such situation whilst driving my car to work; a cyclist was nearly knocked off his bike by a motorist. Fuelled with anger the cyclist jumped off of his bike and proceeded to open the passenger door of the offending drivers motor vehicle.

The motorist panicked and got out of his car. The cyclist was young and athletic with a shoulder bag on his back, the driver was mid to late 40's and looked it.

I watched this mismatched confrontation through my rear view mirror. The cyclist suddenly lunged forward at the driver and grabbed him by the lapels and started pushing him back towards the pavement. I got out of my car and walked to the cyclist and said, What seems to be the problem?

That car just cut me up, shouted the cyclist

Are you going to work, I asked

Yes I am replied the cyclist curiously

You don't want to get in bother with the police over this do you? I asked the cyclist

No I don't he replied

You might as well get on your bike and go to work, its not worth it is it? I said

The cyclist shook my hand then got on his bike and went to work.

A distraction in Time

This leads me onto the young couple who were drinking in a pub when a group of lads came in and approached the young man.

Where ya from one of the group members asked

What's it to you replied the young man

I'll tell you what it is to me, you don't sound like you're from around these parts and we don't have strangers drinking in our pub alright shouted the group member

The young man and his girlfriend got up to leave and were immediately surrounded by the group of lads.

In a bid to help the couple I walked over to the group and asked where the toilets were situated, they pointed me in the direction, I then asked them if they knew how to find a particular street in the area, they looked bemused but took the time to show me in detail where I could find it, a few more of my friends had arrived at this stage and stood by my side whilst I was being given directions. The young man and woman hastily left the pub whilst my friends and I distracted the group of lads.

From the simple cutting snide remarks to the blatant upfront disregard for everything that you stand for, extreme situations have transpired.

To get what you want at any cost

An example of one such extreme incident I encountered was when a young man sat drinking in a bar with his girlfriend, they were having a good time flirting and gazing into each other's eyes. Another couple arrived and sat at their table, they were all talking to each other quite amicably, sharing jokes and laughing. About an hour later all hell broke loose between the two couples. One of the women swung her half pint glass (in what can only be termed as a moment of complete madness) and smashed it into the face of one of the blokes, it shattered into millions of pieces and blood spurted from his nose and eye. The base of the glass was still holding firm as she prepared to strike his face again, as head of security I removed the jagged glass base from the woman’s hand whilst she continued to kick and scratch the bloke. The rest of the security team smothered the blokes and we took them all outside.

I asked the group what had happened because they seemed to be getting on so well when I last looked

He won't go to the next bar with us, cos he's a miserable get spouted the glass woman

Do you think that's a valid reason to glass him in the face, I mean come on, you know each other, now this seems a bit extreme don't you think? I asked

Its my fault the stricken bloke said I was only joking when I said I wouldn't go to the other bar, you see she always gets what she wants and I thought it would be a laugh if she didn't get what she wanted this time

Well it looks like you're not going to that bar after all, you got what you wanted this time I stated

Yeh, I did, didn’t I the stricken man said with a beaming smile of victory on his face.

Self-Realisation

One question that I ask myself even now is ‘What gave me the confidence to approach these incidents, not knowing what the outcome would be‘.

The answer is simply that I had spent a lot of time in my youth and adulthood sharing and understanding the wisdom of Martial Arts & Conflict Management. I trained and learnt from individuals who had lived full lives and had finally reached a stage of enlightenment within themselves, for they had seen the destructive nature that we all have inside us and sought to reach a state of living in harmony with themselves and others.

My mentors sought the perpetuation of peace and harmony and did not inadvertently destroy or cause intentional hurt or pain to anyone or anything. They showed humility and honour whilst displaying total calm and inner peace often against extreme adversity.

Only too aware of what they were capable of, both physically and psychologically, they did at all costs respect and honour themselves and others.

They did not exaggerate the importance of their own existence, for they realised that despite all the good they can do, they are but a raindrop in the storm of life.

My mentors acquired a high degree of knowledge and skill in order to become confident, calm and tolerant human beings. They were concerned with the building of character and strength of will, as well as the philosophical and personal awareness necessary to facilitate the complete development of an individual.

I surmised that the art of Conflict Management is ultimately a form of fighting without fighting and not a tool to mindlessly destroy all those who stand in your way.

From what I have learnt and experienced over the years from Martial Artists, Security Specialists, the general public, work colleagues, friends and family, it is my wish that after reading this book you are able to complete a conflict management framework that will help you work, live and play as best you can with a wide range of people.

It is my intention within this book to give you techniques that will enable you to:

• Analyse the cause and effect of hostile behaviour

• Understand and assess why you react in the way you do to hostile/antagonistic words, phrases and situations

• Take appropriate action against hostile/antagonistic behaviour

My definition of hostile/antagonistic behaviour is any situation that causes you to feel:

• Hurt

• Suffering

• Pain

• Insulted

• Frightened

• Angry

• Negative

• A lack of self esteem

• Emotional distress

• Physically