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Breakdown of combat and hostile situations:
- Observation
- Balance
- Break up
- Technique
- Finish
- Observation
Above are the six phases before, during and after a close quarter combative or potential dangerous situation.
Actual attack (someone punches you):
a close quarter situation.
Possible attack (thugs enter environment):
a potential threat.
Observation phase
This is the first step of your defense, before we can take action we must look around and take a quick note of options, possibilities and environment.Examples of what we might notice in an environmental situation are: the room, location of doors or exits, possible weapons, ground or terrain, light, obstacles, etc.
Examples of what we might take note of in a close quarter situation in view of an opponent or opponents are: hair, clothes, weapons, boots, size, abilities, etc. Take a look at where you are now, observe the environment and think what you could do or use there.
Balance phase
This next phase is used to give you balance or preparation for the defense. In close quarters where an attack is immediate, you gain balance by lowering your center of gravity. This can be done by widening your stance, giving you more control and balance over your opponent. In a not yet combative situation, let’s say you are in a restaurant eating lunch and a trouble maker comes in, you can gain balance by placing yourself in a logical position and maybe prepare some table items to use as weapons such as fork, knife, salt, drink, etc. Balance is gained by preparing and securing our position and possibilities.
Break up phase
This phase is designed to control the focus of our enemy. By distracting or changing their current focus we can better handle the situation. There are four specific areas that we will cover in controlling another’s focus.
A. Indirect control: verbal use in combat
Look - the police!
Do not think of your untied shoe!
B. Direct control: use of pain or physical force
Punch assailant in the biceps
Poke opponent in the eyes
C. Visual control: use of changing visual focus
Throw an object
Fake a punch
D. Emotional control: use of a specific desire
Take advantage of the five desires
Okay, I’ll tell you where the money is
By applying a break up you have created a diversion causing a loss of concentration in your opponent and giving you the upper hand.
Technique phase
This phase is where you take action toward your objective. Lets take the following as an example: You were punched, but you first observed that your attacker was drunk. You then gained balance by dropping your
weight. You changed his focus by slapping him in the eyes. Your technique
was a duck and a side step to avoid. What your goal or outcome in a situation is will determine the type of technique you will need to achieve that result.
Finish phase
Exterminate the attack or attacker. Control the attack or attacker until further help has arrived or the situation has ceased. Escape the situation altogether, usually by running.
Using the example from phase four (technique phase), after you have avoided the punch, your finish might have been to attack from the rear and apply a rear choke to control your opponent (waiting) or your drunken assailant will pass out in which case end the threat.
Observation phase
Return to phase 1 and review your surroundings. Make sure that the situation is under control and be prepared for another attack.
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