I first posted this on Facebook, but have since added some material.
Human predators, bullies, muggers, rapists... their first technique is to blitz, attack fast and hard, overwhelm their victim with strength, force and weight to compel them to submit immediately. They don’t really want a fight. And they especially don’t want a difficult fight or a challenging one. They want it simple and easy.
A victim is chosen based on the idea that the predator won’t be challenged.
So the goal is to overwhelm you so you give up. Keep that in mind.
If you weather the first attack, keep your wits about you and fight back smartly and hard, let them know it will not be quick and that you won't submit without a fight; most of the time, they will run away.
Most attackers like that are cowards at heart. Be as determined as the young woman in the video below. These attackers are, generally, not smart, organized, or trained, nor are they as powerful as they project. They're cowards at heart.
In addition to training in martial arts and self-defense, I’ve watched thousands of videos of street fights, street attacks, and so on. It’s very rare for a trained person to use their abilities on a vulnerable victim. Not saying it doesn’t happen, but it doesn’t happen nearly as often as one would think. What does happen echoes what happens on a playground… a larger person using their size against a smaller.
Hence, the blitz. This happens in other worlds from other bullies, too. Ever been ambushed by a bullying manager in a staff meeting? Or a co-worker?
But sticking to street defense… weather the blitz as best as you can, and bear in mind that while size does make a difference, other factors come to play. The predator doesn’t want attention, so the more noise you make, the better for you.
And the longer it takes them to subdue you, the worse it is for him.
Now size, physics, does play into this. There’s a big difference between 100 lbs and 250 lbs, and while training can make up that difference, there are a few keys to keep in mind if one is not trained.
One. Keep moving. Movement is life. Don’t freeze. If you can’t run, don’t make it easy for him to grab you. Fight back, move, and keep fighting back (see the video).
Two. Give yourself PERMISSION to fight back. Honestly. We’re conditioned not to hurt each other throughout life. Especially women, I’ve had women who I’ve taught to spar and box apologize for hitting me in sparring. I say, “Why are you sorry? That’s what I taught you to do!” Mentally, you have to tell yourself, “they’re trying to take away my mother’s daughter, my daughter’s mother, and I will not allow that.”
And fight back. It’s not just women, either, one of my earlier street fights in New York City, I got into it with two guys, and it took a bit (after they hit me more than a few times) where I clearly remember thinking, “is it okay to hit them back now?”
If someone’s attacking you, you are ALLOWED TO FIGHT BACK. Tell yourself that.
Three. Think of an angry cat. Yes, an angry cat. When I teach children self-defense, I ask them, “Who’s bigger, you or a cat?” They always answer that they are.
Then I ask, “Who wants to fight with an angry, psycho cat?”
They laugh and correctly answer, no one. Not even adults want to deal with a psycho cat. Why, I ask them. Because the cat will bite, scratch, scream, pee and poop on the person, even a 200 lb adult, until they’re free.
So the answer when someone bigger tries to abduct you? Go psycho cat.
I make the kids practice this, and it is surprising how much damage a 30 lb kid who’s screaming, biting, and scratching can do. Now imagine a 100 lb person.
That’s the thing, the predator wants it over fast, over quietly, and easy.
Going psycho cat on them nullifies that on all three fronts.
That’s all for today. Stay safe out there, friends, stay safe.
Please tip whatever you can spare to keep me writing. I’d appreciate it. These are challenging times for everyone, I know. If you can’t at this time, that’s fine, please leave a comment wishing me well; that’s as valuable as cash. Take care and stay safe.
Go psycho cat is the best self-defense advice I've ever heard. I'm stealing that.