So as I said in the last post, the first set of principles (and probably the most important) are as follows:1) Stop, remove, or disable the immediate threat while giving simultaneous counterattack if possible. 2) Control the weapons and perform combatives as necessary. 3) Disengage and get away.
Let’s take apart and clarify each one. To stop, remove or disable the threat you have to first understand what a threat is. A punch is a threat. A knife is a threat. A very big angry person screaming at you in front of your face is a threat and a choke is a threat. Obviously there are others. The punch you might stop, deflect, or disable using a block, a small table to stop and disable the fist, or by getting out-of-the-way combined with a deflecting block. The simultaneous counterattack could come in the form of a punch with your non-blocking hand or the small table itself. Realize that the person breaking their hand on the table is also your simultaneous counter attack. If possible means just that. The counterattack may not be at the same time but every effort should be made to practice that way so that one will more likely deliver it that way.
To control the weapon means you have to control whatever was thrown at you. You also have to realize that something else may be thrown at you at the same time that you are controlling and attacking. You have to block and control that also. You’ve seen examples in class where the strike you’re throwing blocks the threat (i.e. side or back hammer fist where your elbow is blocking your face before your hammer hits his face), but that may not always be the case. To give counterattack as necessary is to follow up with blows or objects so as to finish the attacker. Realize this may not mean to kill or maim. Your objective is only to go home safely. In the words of the law ‘you may use the minimum level of force you reasonably believe is necessary to safely resolve the situation’. Or something like that.
To disengage means to move away from your attacker or move him away from you. To stop your attack because he is not attacking you anymore. This should be done with a push or possibly another strike such as to the knee if he’s still a threat, and with you consciously looking around for any other threats while keeping an eye on your attacker. Then get away and if possible call 911 and report. This is important for several reasons. Just one of which is if you hurt somebody they may turn it around on you as if you were the original attacker. Bad people don’t think fair.