2008-03-26Staff Report 2 By Sifu Lawrence Hochobeb WINDHOEK No matter what situation you find yourself in, the most important weapon you can have is your brain. You should have the knowledge to recognize, avoid or respond to violence. You can't have successful self-defence without knowing the proper way to recognize and respond to potentially violent situations. While there is a lot of information you can learn, it doesn't mean you have to remember it all. By simply remembering the basic principles of the prevention tips and being prepared, you will be able to use your safety tactics and adapt them to any situation you may face. In most self-defence programmes, a limited approach of using physical resistance is advocated as the only means of escape. I suggest the multiple strategy approach. This is a combination of verbal, passive and physical resistance and is obviously far more superior. When you yell and make a lot of noise, firstly you surprise the attacker and he may be startled, stopping in his tracks. The attacker may also worry about nearby people/neighbours hearing the noise and commotion and give up the attack. When yelling, an assertive bold NO!!! is often effective. This gives you a boost of confidence as well as giving the attacker a shock. Verbal resistance strategies Loud shouting. Screaming for help. Verbally threatening the attacker. Attempting reasoning with the attacker. Use verbal strategy to position attacker for a physical response or to position yourself to escape. Positive resistance strategies Run away. Physical passive defensive Foetal position. Legs crossed and locked. Arms covering the head and face and the body curled up. Physical resistance strategies Stun and Run - hit/kick with meaning to a vital target area and run. Physical - use actual physical techniques. Use any weapon or object available to defend yourself. Sifu Lawrence Hochobeb is the Founder and Chief Instructor of Namibia Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy. 2008-03-26Staff Report 2
