ALL FIGHTS ARE DANGEROUS, BUT THE MOST DANGEROUS ONE IS THE AMBUSH.
In 1993, I was in Dallas, Texas sitting with a small group of law enforcement thought leaders that included Gary Klugiewicz, then, the Chairman of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers.
We were discussing how to design a defensive tactics system to help officers defend themselves inside the reactionary gap (that’s the space between the officer & bad guy for those unfamiliar with the term).
They were discussing stance, distance, hand positions, techniques, etc. when I politely interrupted the group:
“The problem isn’t the techniques...the problem is emotional-psychological factors that affect accessing the techniques!”
They all looked at me.
I continued…
“If the problem of violence could only be solved with techniques… no one would ever lose.”
Pause.
“The answer isn’t the biomechanics, the answer is in understanding how the mind reacts to sudden violence.”
SUDDEN VIOLENCE ATTACKS OUR EMOTIONAL SYSTEM FIRST.
Because the mind navigates the body, we must defend ourselves from the emotional assault first! Until then, we will have trouble defending from the physical one.
This IMO is where many people miscalculate - there is an assumption in the martial arts and self-defense world that just because you are trained in physical tactics, you will be able to perform ‘said technique’ under any circumstances.
VIOLENCE LOVES SPEED & ACTION IS FASTER THAN REACTION
In a sudden assault, the attacker moves first - your attacker is ‘action’.
The only way to beat 'action' (the initial assault) during a truly violent encounter, is to improve ‘mind-speed’ - (how quickly we can think & move - BTW this does not apply to combat sports or sparring).
We need a system that moves faster than cognitive thought.
And this is where the magic of our system lies…
To help resolve and solve this problem, we use the speed of the survival reflex and then train SPEAR practitioners on how to convert this primal movement into a protective response.
Over the decades, we have finessed the recipe of converting the startle response into an art and science.
WHERE TO START? PHYSIOLOGY FIRST
When a dangerous stimulus is introduced too quickly, executive function is hijacked, and your body’s survival system bypasses the cognitive brain which is where you store your complex motor skills.
The startle flinch response is a non-conscious movement, making it faster than a conscious thought.
When the initial physical movement incorporates the primal response, movement is faster and our emotional/psychological systems recalibrate sooner because we are intentionally blending both brain systems.
The upside is the defender is more confident before, during, and after the conflict.
This is how the SPEAR System® uses neuroscience and psychology to enhance survivability.
Add the SPEAR to your personal or professional arsenal. Details below.
Coach B
I teach law enforcement, public safety, citizens, and martial artists every week online. Our courses are educational, entertaining, and WILL make you safer - if that's important to you.
Sign up for our Tactical Garage Gym here - enjoy a 30% discount to get started (new members only). Enter code: TGG30
3 WAYS YOU CAN TRAIN WITH ME
=> 1. Spend the weekend with me and 9 other people at my home in California. The ELITE TRAINING RETREAT is a private event by application only, learn more here
=> 2. Get first-hand experience with the SPEAR System® and train directly with me and my team this summer in Las Vegas at our self-defense camp - SAVE $100 until May 1 - full details here
=> 3. Become a scenario-trainer. Elevate and differentiate. Scenario training is the missing link for most people who teach self-defense. If you would like to elevate and differentiate yourself from other schools in your region, this is the course to get to. Force-on-force drills, discounts on High Gear® and you do NOT need to be a SPEAR Affiliate, this course is open to all martial artists, self-defense, and DT trainers. Details here
=> Need a speaker for your company or organization? From talks on fear management to personal defense, contact us to discuss the different online and in-person options, email ask@blauertactical.com