Deception is one of the most effective tactics you can use in self defense, and using it well will allow you to attack where your opponent is unprepared, all but guaranteeing your success.
Below is a quote from The Art of War, an outstanding book of strategy and tactics written in China by Sun Tzu more than 2,500 years ago:
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
In MMA or fighting sports, deception can be used on a variety of levels. You can “hold out baits” by leaving certain targets exposed, you can “seem unable” by faking a minor injury or stumble, you can “seem inactive” while actually waiting to ambush when your opponent attacks, you can fake high and hit low, and so on. But in fighting sports your opponent knows you are there to fight, and he likely knows a good bit about you, your skills, and your fighting style. In self defense on the other hand, particularly against an unknown assailant, there is no limit to the types of deception you can use.
Pretending to Be Weak
In a real self defense situation your opponent will have no idea if you will fight back. In fact, in many cases your opponent will probably assume you will not fight back, otherwise he would have chosen an easier victim. By “pretending to be weak”, acting as if you will not fight back, you can viciously attack your opponent when he does not expect it. Adopting a fighting posture may help to dissuade an attacker in some situations. If he believes you are more than he wants to deal with, it may work. But if you’re pretty certain that you’ll have to fight, doing so when your opponent does not expect it is far superior to giving him cues that tell him to prepare himself.
Most martial arts and fighting sports teach practitioners to adopt a fighting stance in preparation for fighting. And it’s somewhat natural to attempt to show your opponent that you’re prepared, to put on a show of toughness. But think about the difference between these two scenarios:
-  A guy walks up to you and for some reason he tells you he’s going to fight you. You back up a bit, get into a fighting stance, and signal that you’re ready.
-  A guy walks up to you and for some reason he tells you he’s going to fight you. From a non-threatening posture you tell him you don’t want any trouble. Just as he begins to react to your statement you quickly and unexpectedly nail him with the most efficient and effective technique you can use. Or, you spray him with pepper spray and move out of his way.
Which option do you think would be more likely to succeed?
(Keep in mind that this is only a hypothetical situation. I would never advocate fighting or physical self defense if there is anything you can do to avoid it.)
Technical Deception & Surprise
Around 1632 in Japan, a swordsman named Yahyu Menenori wrote a text he called The Life-Giving Sword. In it he wrote about deception:
The truth is hidden within, a ruse is placed without, and in the end one is drawn onto the Path of Truth. In this way, all deception becomes truth.
Every deception includes an element of surprise, when your opponent realizes that he has been tricked. Anything you can do to bring your opponent’s attention to one place in order to attack a place where he is unprepared is a successful use of deception. One great option is to throw something at your opponent’s face, any everyday object (coins, keys, a book, bag, etc.), and then nail him as he reacts to your move. Everyone will react in some way to having something thrown at their face. They’ll turn away, close their eyes, attempt to block it, catch it, or even just move their head out of the way. This will create the opportunity for you to attack while your opponent is unprepared, to kick him as hard as you can in the balls, for example.
In addition to faking or using techniques to bring your opponent’s attention where you want it, using unexpected techniques is a form of deception:
Groin Slap
In fighting sports there are not only rules and limitations on permissible techniques, but certain conventions in terms of what techniques are used and how. There are particular sets of techniques that are used in every system, from judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu to MMA. But in self defense there are no rules. There are no limitations as to what techniques or weapons you can use. However, there are general expectations that your attacker will likely have, and violating those expectations can be an incredibly effective tactic.
When the vast majority of people think about fighting, they think about the classic techniques used in MMA, a combination of what is basically boxing/kick boxing/Thai boxing and wrestling. I’ve trained in MMA gyms, and in my experience everything MMA fighters do is geared toward punching, kicking, and wrestling. They don’t practice otherwise, and they don’t expect otherwise.
Although techniques like eye strikes and groin slaps aren’t magical moves that will allow you to beat anyone, as you still need to understand and be able to manipulate distance, position, timing, etc., they are extremely effective, and equally important, they are unexpected by the vast majority of average people and fighters alike.
Eye Strike
The triangular footwork that you can use with eye strikes and groin slaps is unexpected by most people, and when combined with the unexpected targets and the use of deception, they are excellent for self defense.
Whenever you think about potential self defense scenarios, or even fighting/sparring scenarios, consider how you can use deception to your advantage. As Sun Tzu said, “All warfare is based on deception.” If you’re not using it, you are seriously handicapping yourself.
The post Deception In Self Defense appeared first on Functional Self Defense.
| New Products | |
   |
   |
  |
  |
  |
  |
| BEST Seller Products | |
 Stun Master 20 Million Volt BAD ASS Metal Stun Baton/Flashlight - As with all stun devices the Stun Master Stun Baton offers an extremely effective means of subduing an individual in a humane and non-lethal way. The effec... Stun Master 20 Million Volt BAD ASS Metal Stun Baton/Flashlight |
 Pepper Spray Disguised as Lipstick - Girls don't ever feel afraid or not in control again. If you feel uncomfortable or afraid when a man approaches you calmly reach into your purse or pocket pull out what looks like yo... Pepper Spray Disguised as Lipstick |
 Stun Cane with Flashlight 1 Million Volts - Stun Cane with Flashlight 1 Million Volts! This ZAP Stun Walking Cane is a great self-defense device for the elderly or for anyone who needs support while walking. DEMO VIDEO Stun Cane with Flashlight 1 Million Volts |
 ZAP Blast Knuckles Extreme 950K Volt Stun Gun - The ZAP™ Blast Knuckles Extreme – 950 000 Volt is a shocking high voltage stun gun that provides you with an easy way to protect yourself while on the go. DEMO VIDEO ZAP Blast Knuckles Extreme 950K Volt Stun Gun |
 Streetwise Sting Ring 18 Million Volts Stun Gun - Introducing our newest design in personal protection the Sting Ring. This revolutionary model separates itself from all other stun guns on the market today and is destined... Streetwise Sting Ring 18 Million Volts Stun Gun |
 Streetwise 18 Million Volt Stun Gun Sting Ring w/Key Ring - ON SALE: 25% OFF! With this power stun gun attached to your keys you will not have to be concerned about it getting lost in the bottom of your purse or wasting va... Streetwise 18 Million Volt Stun Gun Sting Ring w/Key Ring |
 MultiGuard 80 Million Volt Stun Gun Alarm and Flashlight w/Built In Charger - Stand your ground with the 80 Million Volt MultiGuard Stun Gun Alarm and Flashlight with Built in Charger. Easily concealable and virtually unde... MultiGuard 80 Million Volt Stun Gun Alarm and Flashlight w/Built In Charger |
 Streetwise USB Secure 22 Million Volt Keychain Stun Gun - ON SALE: 25% OFF! Protection is now as close as your keys...First we revolutionized the stun gun industry by introducing the original Streetwise S.M.A.C.K. (Stun M... Streetwise USB Secure 22 Million Volt Keychain Stun Gun |
 18 Million Volt Talon Stun Gun And Flashlight - Stand your ground with the Talon 18 Million volt Stun Gun. Fits comfortably and seamlessly in the hand the Talon delivers super powered stun protection.The Talon's trigger i... 18 Million Volt Talon Stun Gun And Flashlight |
 Streetwise TRIPLE Sting Ring 28 Million Volt Stun Gun - ON SALE: 25% OFF! We are proud to introduce the latest in our evolving line of unique and powerful stun guns. Two years ago we introduced our patented Sting Ring Stun... Streetwise TRIPLE Sting Ring 28 Million Volt Stun Gun |
 Streetwise Black Jack 21 Million Volt Stun Gun Black - For well over 25 years Streetwise Security Products has been the world's leading brand of innovative self-defense and security products.The innovation continues with t... Streetwise Black Jack 21 Million Volt Stun Gun Black |
 Streetwise Barbarian 9 Million Volt Stun Baton Flashlight - In ancient times barbarians were known for being uncivilized brutal and fierce warriors.“The Barbarian" is the perfect name for our newest stun baton. If Conan ... Streetwise Barbarian 9 Million Volt Stun Baton Flashlight |
 iKeyp PRO Smart Storage Safe w/Expandable Wing Installation - The iKeyp Pro is a smartphone-enabled personal safe that provides peace of mind by bringing security technology and easy access together. It takes only second... iKeyp PRO Smart Storage Safe w/Expandable Wing Installation |
 Police Force 21 Inch Expandable Steel Baton - Around the world police officers and security guards are switching from bulky night sticks to this more compact telescopic steel baton.This Police Force 21 Inch Expandable st... Police Force 21 Inch Expandable Steel Baton |
 Streetwise Dark Knight Expandable Steel Baton - With the newly designed Dark Knight Expandable Metal Baton you can go out into any dark night with confidence.Like a knight from the dark ages protecting innocent people from... Streetwise Dark Knight Expandable Steel Baton |
 Jolt Attacker Compact Keychain 77 Million Volt Stun Gun - ON SALE: $2 OFF! A keychain stun gun comes in handy to stop the attackers. It's easy to carry; with a simple push-button release switch it can be quickly and easil... Jolt Attacker Compact Keychain 77 Million Volt Stun Gun |
 Pulse Blowout Bundle w/2 FREE Cartridges + Any Holster - ON SALE: $50 OFF!*LIMITED SUPPLY* Normally the Pulse includes 2 cartridges with any purchase but when you order the TASER Pulse Blowout Bundle you'll get an addit... Pulse Blowout Bundle w/2 FREE Cartridges + Any Holster |
 JPX4 4 Shot LE Defender Pepper Gun Black w/Level 2 Holster - The JPX is the perfect carry weapon for these Gun Free Zones. It is not a firearm and considered a pepper spray dispenser or OC delivery system. Why would you ta... JPX4 4 Shot LE Defender Pepper Gun Black w/Level 2 Holster |
 WildFire 1.4% MC 1/2 oz Halo Pepper Spray - When you are shopping around for self defense products you may notice that there are a few items with the name wildfire pepper spray. This product comes from a family of peppers... WildFire 1.4% MC 1/2 oz Halo Pepper Spray |
 Safety Technology Barking Dog Alarm - The Barking Dog Alarm is ideal for your home office store business or any place that would benefit from having a security dog. Except you don't have to feed water walk it or take... Safety Technology Barking Dog Alarm |
 SABRE Aim and Fire Pepper Gel With Trigger and Grip Deployment - Stay safe with SABRE. Boasting the same police-strength protection as law enforcement SABRE RED is the most popular formulation carried by police worldwide ... SABRE Aim and Fire Pepper Gel With Trigger and Grip Deployment |
 iSting Personal Protection Pen - Introducing the iSting Personal Protection Pen. Every year approximately 3 million people become victims of a violent assault. The iSting helps you fight back. The small self defense device... iSting Personal Protection Pen |
 JPX4 C2 With Laser - The JPX4 Compact 2 is a brand new product offered to the public and Law Enforcement by Piexon AG. This is the only product that can fire 4 separate shots of pepper spray at 590 FPS from the nozzle up t... JPX4 C2 With Laser |
|
|
Be assured that your shopping experience is completely safe. The order site is secured using a Thawte SSL Web Server Certificate which encrypts all data to and from the site. However, if you prefer to pay with check or money order, just choose the off-line option when you check out. |
|