Emotional Control

I previously wrote about my friend Lam and an encounter he had with a would be attacker half a foot taller than him and literally twice his weight.  The fight was avoided by a simple "flick" to the throat, and no more ever came of it.

Was it the finger flick that did it?  Well, that was the tool.  Lam used a physically strong tool to attack a physically weak target.  

He "won" that encounter not by being stronger (he wasn't), or by knowing more "techniques" (though he did).  He won because he remained calm in the face of danger.  By remaining calm, he saw his opportunity and was able to take it.  Of course, if he had panicked, it would have been different.

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I never thought to ask Lam what was going on inside his mind at that time.  I wish I had.  He certainly knew the size and disposition of the other guy.  He seemed to ignore it.  If he was afraid, he did not show it.  

I know from subsequent experience that fear is a normal part of such things, even if the other guy does not see it.  I think Lam focused on the reality rather than the possible bad outcomes.  The reality was that nothing bad had happened yet, and there was a nice opportunity to stop it just under the chin.  Maybe he was afraid.  Certainly, he was feeling the adrenaline as his body prepared for a fight.  Through it all, he looked calm - not a care in the world.

A Personal Defense has a philosophy that such grace under pressure is the true bedrock of all personal defense.  No techniques, from punches to guns, will help you if you freeze in panic.  Like wise, virtually anything - even your fingertips - can serve you well if you have learned to channel your anxiety and remain relaxed, alert, and ready.