Street Self Defence & Reality Based Combat

Just found this old T shirt! Must be 16 years old!

If you would like to learn some self defence/mma on a 1 to 1 basis, get in touch. First session free with no obligation!

You can now maximise your Street Self Defence and Reality Based Combat strength and conditioning training with CrossFit Cheltenham.

Martial arts training can have a hugely positive affect on self confidence. Just knowing that you have some skills to defend yourself if necessary will give you peace of mind.
Here at Street Self Defence you will experience live argument and fight situations. This form of pressure test training prepares you for a real situation.
When did you last practice your de-escalation skills against an aggressive opponent?

PEOPLE, OBJECTS and PLACES carry differing levels of risk. To reduce your chances of being attacked you need to become proficient at calculating risks. Don't fall into the trap of thinking "It won't happen to me! I'll be okay!"
Listen to your instincts. Don't pass them off as paranoia. Your natural senses are more powerful than you may give them credit for.
People threats:
... 1. Somebody following/watching you 2. Someone trying to conceal their identity (hooded top) 3. People under the influence of drink/drugs 4. People in an irrational state of mind (upset, angry, frustrated) 5. Groups of people (gangs hanging around the street) 6. Someone you may recognise as a threat as you have already had a situation with them 7. Any other suspicious behavior
Don't be afraid to change direction, find help in a shop/local business or phone for help if you think you are in danger from any of the above.
Object threats:
1. Purpose built weapons - Guns, knives, knuckle dusters, coshes, tasers, CS gas sprays, expandable baton etc
2. Every day items people could use as weapons - Bricks, scaffold or metal poles, belts, keys, chairs, tables, rings, combs, straps, bags, sporting equipment (rackets, bats etc), sticks, aerosol spray cans, bottles, anything with an edge, pens, shoes, fire extinguisher, vehicles, harmful liquids etc.
Be aware that someone may be concealing a weapon - watch for hand movements towards pockets during confrontation.
Place threat:
1. Secluded areas 2. Dark places 3. Non residential areas 4. Places with lots of people affected by drink/drugs 5. Notoriously dangerous areas or streets 6. Crowded areas 7. Noisy places (affects awareness)
Some examples of higher risk places - Toilets, parks, alley ways, car parks, stairwells, pubs, nightclubs, late night food outlets, quiet non residential streets at night.
Although it is not always possible to avoid the places above try to ensure your awareness levels and body language are correct, where possible you are not traveling alone and ensure someone always knows where you are and when you are due home.
Stay safe people :)
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Signals of aggression an attacker will potentially be showing, allowing you to avoid being hit in a high risk confrontation. Look out for some of these signals from the aggressor during an argument:
1. Shouting 2. Abusing you verbally 3. Aggressive voice tone... 4. Telling you what they will do to you / threats 5. Standing square on 6. Chest out, shoulders back, arms out, making themselves look bigger (Posturing) 7. Pointing at you 8. Clenching fists 9. Rocking body weight left to right and sometimes pacing left to right 10. Frowning 11. Constant eye contact 12. Showing gritted teeth 13. Going red faced (increased blood pressure at this point) 14. Chicken pecking of the head (fast jerking head movement towards you) 15. Taking watch/glasses/shirt off 16. Salivation and spitting
Signals to look out for just before an attack:
1. An increase in aggression overall 2. Closing the distance between you 3. Stance turns sideways on favouring the punching arm as the rear hand 4. Going white in the face (due to adrenaline dump) 5. Verbal will turn from sentences to single syllable fillers (sometimes silence) as they think about the strike they are about to throw eg. yeah, eh, come on, yeah, yeah STRIKE! 6. They may try some sort of distraction (look over there) 7. An attempt may be made to make it up to you, closing the distance with an apology and to maybe shake hands before sneakily striking you (difficult to detect but easy to avoid)
Obviously not all of these signals will be shown by an aggressor but at least this gives you some things to look for in a high risk confrontation.
To learn how to deal with these situations and more on signals of aggression book in for a session with us. First session FREE.
Stay safe :)
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As you leave your house this morning don't be an EASY TARGET! Remember 2 things:
1. Yellow state of awareness (see last nights post)
2. Confident body language

Awareness made simple-
There are 4 states of awareness - White, Yellow, Orange, Red.
White - Completely unaware! This is fine when you are in low risk, safe surroundings but if you are in a public place with no awareness you are at a higher risk of attack. Examples of this would be - asleep, on your phone, listening to iPod, reading book/magazine, chatting to friends, texting, working on a laptop, sheltering under an umbrella.
... Yellow - Completely aware of your surroundings at all times. Knowing who and what is around you, having a good idea of exit routes in buildings, recognising areas of higher risk to you (secluded, dark places, alleys etc) seeing potential hiding places for attackers and trying to spot potential threats to you and your friends.
Orange - You have recognised a potential threat and you are planning and executing an avoidance plan. This could be as simple as seeing a group of drunk abusive youths on a street corner and changing your intended route or recognising a threatening group in a bar and choosing to move away or leave altogether should the threat be high enough.
Red - You have tried to avoid the threat but it is now upon you so you utilise your verbal and physical de-escalation skills to exit quickly, or if it comes to it you may have to strike and escape (This is a last resort!)
All this can be applied from today to keep you safer. For training on the above or on how to strike and escape please book a one on one sessions - First session FREE
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Self Defence Tip:
Become a HARD TARGET!
To decrease your chances of being attacked on the street you can start applying these two things today!
... 1. Increase your awareness - This will ensure that you see potential threats and avoid them. It will also deter potential attackers because they will find approaching you undetected very difficult.
2. Portray strong body language - No matter how you may be feeling inside try to walk with determination and good posture. Have a neutral facial expression and maintain normal eye contact with those around you.
Learn more about avoiding unexpected attacks in our one on one sessions.
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If you would like to get into reality based martial arts and learn some self defence we offer the FIRST SESSION FREE!
Contact us to book a day and a time to get started!