I. Standard Introduction

• Victim Blaming: People never ask for, invite, or deserve to be assaulted.

• No Invincibility: Self-defense is about risk reduction, not perfection.

• Instructor Fallibility: Encourage critical thinking; instructors are not all-knowing.

• Consent & Comfort: It is always okay to say "No" and step away.

• Respect: Treat everyone inside and outside of this room with care.

II. Defining Self-Defense

• Not Martial Arts: It is a collection of habits for well-being.

• Establishing Context: This outline focuses on De-escalation — the art of lowering the temperature to encourage safety.

III. The Core Module: De-Escalation Strategy

A. The Core Principle of De-Escalation

Every situation is unique. The goal is safety and exit, not "winning" the argument or "fixing" the person.

B. Assessing the Subject: The Standard Categories

• The Rational Subject: Acting out of emotion/misunderstanding.

  • Strategy: Connection. Active listening, strategic apologies, and offering choices.

• The Irrational Subject: Drugs, mental crisis, or predatory intent.

  • Strategy: Boundaries. Simple commands ("Stop," "Back up"), broken record technique, non-threatening "Fence" hands.

C. Special Scenario: Aggressive Authority Figures

• Context: Dealing with police or security personnel who are escalating rather than keeping the peace.

• The Power Dynamic: You cannot "win" this physical confrontation on the street. Resistance usually justifies further force in their eyes. The goal here is Survival and Documentation.

• Strategy 1: Radical Compliance (The "Gray Rock"): Make yourself uninteresting and non-threatening.

  • Move slowly. Keep hands visible at all times.

  • Do not argue, touch, or approach.

  • Adopt a neutral tone. "I am complying." "I am not resisting."

• Strategy 2: De-escalate the Ego:

  • Avoid "You" statements ("You are being aggressive").

  • Use "I" statements ("I am reaching for my wallet now").

  • Ask clarifying questions to force their brain to switch from "reptile mode" (reaction) to "thinking mode." ("Officer, what exactly do you need me to do right now?")

• Strategy 3: The Witness: If you are the bystander, your best defense is distance and a camera. Do not interfere physically (which can escalate violence); interfere by creating a record.

IV. Advanced Spatial Awareness & Protection

A. The Geometry of Protection

• Triangulation: Never stand in a straight line with the aggressor and the person you are protecting. Create a triangle so the aggressor has to split their focus.

• The "Check": Teach students to constantly check their "six" (behind them) and exits. Tunnel vision can be detrimental.

B. Interposition (Stepping In)

• When to step in: Only when physical violence is imminent, and you have the capacity to mitigate it.

• How to step in:

  • The "Soft" Intercept: Casually walking between two people to break their eye contact/connection.

  • The "Hard" Shield: Physically placing your body between the aggressor and the victim, facing the aggressor, hands up in the "Fence" position.

• Redirection: If you cannot step in, pull focus.

  • Make a loud noise away from the victim.

  • Drop something valuable/noisy to break the aggressor's fixation.

  • Yell a confusing command (e.g., "Fire!" instead of "Help!") to break their train of thought.

V. Tools & The Physical Transition

A. Non-Confrontational Tools (The "Soft" Options)

• Goal: To alert, distract, or deter without causing physical harm.

• Whistles/Personal Alarms:

  • Usage: Don't just blow it once. Keep it sounding. It breaks the "freeze" response of bystanders and ruins the aggressor's anonymity.

• Car Alarms:

  • Tactic: If in a parking lot, hit the "Panic" button on your fob immediately. It creates chaos and attention.

• Light (High-Lumen Flashlight):

  • Usage: Shine directly in the eyes. It takes away their vision (spatial awareness) and hides your movement/numbers.

B. Confrontational Tools (The "Hard" Options)

• Goal: To incapacitate or create a window for escape.

• Pepper Spray:

  • Reality Check: Wind blows back. You might get some on you. Aim for the eyes/nose, spray in a "Z" pattern. Move immediately after spraying (don't stand there and watch).

• Improvised Tools:

  • The Coffee Throw: Hot liquid is a primal deterrent.

  • The Bag/Backpack: Use as a shield, not a weapon. Keep it between you and the knife/fist.

C. The Switch: When Words Fail

• Recognizing the "Go" Signal:

  • The aggressor stops talking and clenches their jaw/fists.

  • The "Target Glance" (looking at where they intend to hit or looking around for witnesses).

  • Rapid closing of distance.

• The Action:

  • At this point, de-escalation is over. What role are you playing in this interaction?

  • Victim:

    • Escape: The primary physical method is creating distance (Push kicks, stunning strikes to the eyes/throat, then run).

    • Explode: Transition instantly from "hands up/talking" to "striking/running."

  • Protector:

    • Loud / Distruptive: Make a big scene. Pull attention away from the victim.

    • Narrative: Carefully control the narrative. Avoid blame statements (“you”). Articulate boundaries or lamentations clearly for witnesses.

    • Control, Don’t Dominate: You can quickly go from being the protector to the aggressor, both in the eyes of witnesses and the law.

VI. Practical Drills

• Drill 1: The "Third Party" Intercept: Groups of 3. Aggressor, Victim, Protector. The Protector practices breaking eye contact, stepping in (Interposition), and guiding the Victim to an exit while keeping eyes on the Aggressor.

• Drill 2: The "Noise" Drill: Practice using voice or a simulated whistle/alarm while backing away. Students often forget to breathe/make noise under stress.

• Drill 3: The "Compliance" Drill: One partner plays an aggressive authority figure barking orders. The student must practice slow movement, visible hands, and de-escalating language ("I am moving to the sidewalk now").

• Drill 4: Using Pepper Spray: Using training spray.

VII. Physical Methods & Defense Outfitting Discussions

• Topic: Physical Methods

  • Ready & Defensive Stance

  • Pushing Methods

  • Striking Methods

• Topic: More Defense Outfitting

  • Pepper Spray VS Pepper Gel

  • Kubaton

  • Stun Guns

  • Concealed Body Armor

  • Bad Defense Tools:

    • Keys

    • Knife

    • Rope

  • Discussion on other options, and the necessity to look up local laws

• Topic: Team Tactics

• Topic: Combatives