Was this posted here? Street 101 (good read)

[Ryu]

Street 101:

Acknowledgements:

In preparing this post, I have attempted to put into writing
some of the information that I have gleaned over the years
specific to self protection and the “way of the street” In
doing so , I had the opportunity to integrate a number of ideas
and concepts from others in the field. To say that all of the
information in this post was totally mine, would only ignore
those people who have made this work possible.

I believe that there is no such thing as the “ultimate” fighting
form. Every combative system has its own set of strengths and
weaknesses. I believe the secret is to recognize and
acknowledge those weaknesses and then go elsewhere to strengthen
them. In doing so, there are a number of people who I must
thank for the content of this post. Some of the below noted
instructors/coaches/teachers I know personally and have trained
with, others I only known through their own published works. It
is because of these people that I have been able to strengthen
my weaknesses and make this post possible:

Albert Carty

Gil Puder

Tony Blauer

Bradley Steiner

Marc McYoung

Peyton Quinn

Sammy Franco

Richard Dimitri

Geoff Thompson

Jim Grover

Jerry Van Cook

Taking It To The Streets:

The Police:

First of all, I am a police officer and have some knowledge in
this topic. Most people believe that the police are the first
line of defense. In a perfect world this may be true, but the
fact is “YOU” are going to be the first line of defense. It is
a fact that most police department are far more “reactive” to
crime than “proactive.” Although I would love to see a police
officer on every corner, the fact remains that this will never
happen. In our world, there are more criminals that there are
police officers, this is why we call what we do the “thin blue
line”. Police officers understand that if the criminal element
was to ban together as one cohesive entity, such as what
happened in the L.A. riots after the Rodney King incident, there
would be little police could do to regain control in the short
term.

It is also a sad fact that unlike 30-40 years ago when most of
the criminal element feared the police, today most do not and
only see us as an “annoyance” to their criminal activity. Most
of the experienced criminals know how not to get caught as
well. We in policing usually catch the inexperienced, why?,
because the experienced criminals have learned from their
mistakes. The next sad thing is that even if the police do catch
the criminal, many are soon released.

The Courts:

Even if the criminal is caught red handed committing the crime,
the next step is court and the Criminal Justice system, or
should I say “The Criminal’s Justice System.” Many criminals
see the justice system as an advantage rather than a
disadvantage. Why?, because most, including their lawyers, know
the ins and outs of the judicial jungle, especially when it
comes to a legal technicality or plea bargan. The fact remains
that in some countries the criminal has nothing to loose but
everything to gain by going to court. In some cases the
punishment from the courts, if found guilty, does not deter the
criminal from continuing on with their actions. The term “let
the punishment fit the crime” seldom exists, but even if
convicted to jail, there is a very real chance that the criminal
will only have to serve 1/3 of their sentence anyways.

Who is the Street Predator:

So who is the Street Predator? The answer is “anyone”, but the
average inmate housed in the Canadian Correctional system for
violent crimes is:

•   male between the ages of 15-24 years
  

•   5’9” -  6’0” tall
  

•   175 – 190 lbs
  

Most street predators can be split up into two categories; “The
Amateur” and “The Professional”

The Amateur:

The amateur is an “ego” based animal who is looking for a
fight “just because.” To be preyed upon by the amateur you do
not have to be doing anything wrong, you just have to be in the
wrong place at the wrong time. This beast is usually very
identifiable;

•   usually walks with attitude
  

•   elbows pushed away from body
  

•   verbally aggressive and rude to people within a few feet
  

•   confrontations are usually triggered by eye contact
  

Some of the “Ritualized” combative signs that are apparent from
the amateur prior to contact, but not limited to, include:

•   splaying arms to express exclamation
  

•   beckoning with finger
  

•   nodding of head, usually accompanies finger beckoning
  

•   bulging eyes
  

•   acquires innate fighting stance
  

•   will close distance during confrontation
  

The Professional:

The professional street predator is someone who I like to
identify as the serial mugger, serial rapist, serial killer.
These beasts usually attack for profit and not because they want
to fight. These animals are a little harder to identify as they
merge into society quite well and usually prey upon targets that
have “no” situational awareness. When the professional strikes
a target they usually follow a seven step process of target
acquisition:

Step #1: victim selection:

•   looking for subjects with no situational awareness
  

•   attacks usually occur in sparsely populated locations 
  

out the view of witnesses and therefore reduces the chances of
being seen heard or caught

Step #2: Victim Stalking:

•   Once a target has been identified the professional will 
  

usually stalk first

•   They are waiting for the time and place that suits their 
  

need for privacy and control

Step #3: Victim/Predator Positioning:

•   the professional must place themselves in position to 
  

either attack by surprise or engage in a “street Interview”

•   remember this beast is a lazy animal and does not want 
  

to fight but totally overwhelm

The professional will usually use one of five “relative”
positioning tactics to set their intended victim up for attack:

1.   Closing:
   

•   Most common, walks directly up to target to get as close 
  

as they can

•   the closer they get the more success he will have in his 
  

abilities to overwhelm and control

•   this is why the “reaction gap” is so important once you 
  

have identified a person as a threat. If the threat has
breached the gap when you have told him not to, he has clearly
announced that his intentions are not good

2.   Cornering/ Trapping:
   

•   this is the second most commonly used tactic
  

•   will want to corner you between himself, you, and any 
  

safe exit point

3.   Surprise
   

[Ryu]

3.   Surprise
   

•   Surprise is the primary tactic that an attacker depends 
  

upon for full advantage

4.   Pincer:
   

•   usually used by two or more criminals
  

•   one circles while the other distracts you
  

•   one attacker follows from behind and while you are 
  

focused on them, there is a second attacker just up ahead

•   things to be aware of, two people standing across from 
  

one another in a narrow space such as a hallway, staircase, or
alley

5.   Surround:
   

•   most common in “packs” or “swarms”
  

•   one in the pack will distract while the others surround
  

•   instead of a fast swarm, the pack will usually drift 
  

towards you so as not to alert you to their intentions

Step #4: Testing the Waters:

•   only used if the element of surprise is not available
  

•   here the predator will use one or more “street 
  

interviewing tactics” to see if you are a low risk high gain
target

A) reasonable request interview:

•   will ask you for the time, match, cigarette, spare 
  

change, directions

•   as you are complying with their request, the attacker 
  

moves into a surprise attack position.

•   This is a classic “distraction technique”
  

B) The Distant Interview:

•   takes place from a distance
  

•   attacker is assessing your body language and awareness 
  

level

•   the professional uses this method regularly to identify 
  

targets of opportunity

•   most criminals are in plain view but because of 
  

no “situational awareness” the intended victim fails to recognize
the fact that they are there

C) The Escalating Interview:

•   usually takes place in a pack situation
  

•   starts off small but builds to the boiling point
  

•   weapons are usually involved
  

•   men are really bad for this because of “ego”
  

D) the Bully Interview:

•   will say things to you such as “ what the **** are you 
  

looking at”

•   the attacker hopes that by saying this to you, you will 
  

respond in kind thus giving them the reason that they were
looking for to engage you either verbally and or physically

•   this interview usually starts with the eye glare which 
  

then moves to the bully question which then leads to an
escalating interview and then goes physical

E) the Bully Interview:

•   Continual eye contact made (non-verbal challenge)
  

•   The bully interview: what the **** are you looking at
  

•   The approach towards you
  

•   The bully question reiterated
  

•   The response from you; usually a verbal challenge
  

•   Escalating interview back and forth
  

•   Actual physical challenge: let’s ****ing go right now
  

•   Single syllable replies back and forth
  

•   The actual attack; usually a hooking sucker punch
  

•   During the last few stages prior to actual physical 
  

attack, not uncommon to have finger pointing, arm flailing, and
slight one or two hand pushes. These are done as an intelligence
gathering technique to ascertain your intentions and abilities to
fight back

Step #5: The Assesment Stage:

•   if after steps 1-4 there is a positive assessment by the 
  

professional, they will usually attack using the element of
surprise. If there is a negative assessment and the victim
appears to be ware of what is going on, the attacker will usually
abort their attack and move onto another safe target

Step #6: Using Threats Of Violence:

•   If a positive threat assessment has been made by the 
  

professional in step #5, it is usually followed by verbl threats
which are sometimes aided by a weapon or an accomplice or both

•   These threats are very direct and extremely violent in 
  

nature using very course language

•   The professionals “goal” here is to create a state 
  

of “hyper vigilance” to cause you to go into “brain ****” mode.
Why ? because the professional understands that the mind guides
the body. If they can get you into brain **** mode their in
control.

•   It is also very common that the attacker will promise not 
  

to hurt you if you comply with their requests. Why? They don’t
want you to make a scene that increases the risks of them being
seen, heard, or caught.

Step #6: the Attack:

•   after step #6 the professional now engages
  

•   some of these attacks may be minimal, intended only to 
  

freeze you allowing them to take what they want. Most, however,
will be frenzied and severe with onw intent, to totally disable
or even kill you before you can launch an effective counter attack

Although both the amateur and professional attacker are two
different beasts, both will exhibit one or more pre-assaultive
signs (Ritualized Combat) that if you know what to look for are
real good indicators ( warning bells) to let you know what may be
happening:

Ritualized Combat Signs That An Assault May Not Be Imminent But
Possible:

•   head, neck, shoulders go back
  

•   face is red, twitching, jerking
  

•   lips pushed forward bearing teeth
  

•   breathing is fast and shallow
  

•   sweating
  

•   thousand mile glare
  

•   exaggerated movements
  

•   finger pointing/ head pecking
  

•   totally ignores you
  

•   gives you excessive attention during normal conversation 
  

such as direct uninterrupted eye contact

•   goes from totally uncooperative to totally cooperative
  

•   acts stoned or drunk
  

•   directs anger towards other items such as tables, chairs, 
  

walls

Here create distance, awareness level up.

Ritualized Combat Assault is Imminent:

•   face goes from red to white
  

•   lips tighten over teeth
  

•   breathing is fast and shallow
  

•   change of stance, body blades and shoulders drop
  

•   hands closed tight into a fist ( usually autonomic)
  

•   bobbing up and down on feet, or rocking back and forth
  

•   target glance to your body parts 
  

•   putting head and chin down (protects eyes and airway)
  

•   stops all movements
  

•   dropping of their center or lowering of body
  

•   shedding cloths ( very common)
  

•   full sentences to one syllable reply
  

If you see these s

[ewallace]

errr

Another troll post

[Ryu]

If you see these signs and can not walk or talk your way out, you
take FIRST STRIKE and continue with compound attack.

Five tactical Advantages Of The Criminal:

Remember, most attackers have five very real advantages over most
of their victims:

Advantage #1: Confidence

•   will usually not attack unless he has full confidence in 
  

his abilities to win the physical encounter

•   Confidence comes from ability to use the tactic of the 
  

sucker punch or the the ambush to his full advantage

Advantage #2: Experience

•   Experience comes from actual street application rather 
  

than a training studio or martial arts school

•   Experience comes from real lessons learned on the street. 
  

Both good and bad

Advantage #3: Competence:

•   Most have one or two techniques that they have mastered 
  

to some degree

•   This mastery comes from actual application in the real 
  

world

•   Because of this fact, they know what works most of the 
  

time, and what does not

•   Their combatives training is learned by doing 
  

under “real” street conditions

Advantage #4: Tactics:

•   a criminal’s tactics are that of simplicity, the simpler 
  

it is the better it will work

•   when they do physically attack, it is usually a 
  

continuous attack until the intended victim has been knocked out
or grounded

•   physical attacks are usually very brutal and violent
  

•   usually the criminal uses the advantage of FIRST STRIKE
  

Advantage #5: Psychological:

•   Most people believe that this **** will never happen to 
  

me and because of this fact when attacked, go into a state of
hyper vigilance which is a huge advantage to the attacker

REMEMBER:

The experienced predator on the street, in most cases, has an
advantage over you. Respect that !!! he has things that many
martial artists do not have. He has hit real people, in real
fights under life threatening conditions many times. You are in
his arena, playing his game, by his rules !!!

The street predator keeps his attacks simple and direct. He
masters one attack, instead of knowing 100 techniques that he can
do in the air, and he knows one or two that he can really land
against someone fighting back. And these techniques work in his
game plan. Do not play his game; change the rules or you will
loose !!!

So Why Do Street Fights Occur:

Pride and Ego reasons are most common. Why?

•   a person perceives that their ego has been challenged
  

•   need to save face by fighting the person who they see as 
  

their challenger

•   this is especially true if the person who’s ego was 
  

challenges is with a peer group/gang. It is important when
dealing with groups, a challenge to one, is a challenge to all

Alcohol and Drugs:

•   The number one contributing factor as to why fights occur 
  

is alcohol and or drugs

•   I like to call alcohol  “liquid courage”
  

•   Both alcohol and drugs override a person’s thought 
  

process to the point where reality and fantasy are one in the
same. Both remove a person’s common sense factor

Property, Body, Life:

Here the attacker could want specific things from you including:

Property:

money, wallet, credit cards, jewelry, clothing

Body:

Pride and ego assaults, Sexual Assaults, Enjoyment Of A Violent
Act

Life:

Self explanatory

Real Fights Are Not Pretty:

•   not choreographed like you see on T.V. or in some martial 
  

arts schools

•   Most are very sloppy, fast, and gross in appearance
  

•   Most are not back and forth occurrences. The first person 
  

who gets in the first good neutralizing blow usually wins the
fight

•   Even a well trained combatant’s technique will usually 
  

get very sloppy after the first or second shots are thrown

•   This is why in a street fight, “functionality of 
  

technique” is far more important that “perfect technique”. If
what you do is pretty and perfect but not functional, what good
is it going to be in the real world

Most Street Fights Are Over Very Quickly:

•   most fights are usually over within the first 5-10 seconds
  

•   Very rare to see a street fight last longer that 10-15 
  

seconds

Most Street Fights Are Decided By A Strike to The Head:

•   most street fighters are head hunters
  

•   they understand that the brain is the computer of the 
  

body. You knock it out and the body will follow

•   this is why in a street fight you “MUST” protect your 
  

head and neck

Most Street Fights If Not Over Quickly, Can Involve Grappling And
Ground Fighting:

•   if the fight is not over quickly, it can end up in a 
  

grapple and then go to ground

•   Why?, if a person is getting the **** pounded out of 
  

them, they will usually want to close the distance in an attempt
to smother/control the punches that they are being hit with

•   Once grounded, you will usually be **** kicked “curbed” 
  

by the attacker, if he is standing, and his friends if any.
These kicks are usually targeted for the head and upper body.

•   This is why “ballistic” ground fighting techniques are 
  

essential for getting back onto your feet as quickly as
possible. Unlike the UFC we can NOT spend a lot of time on the
ground

•   Remember, once someone starts taking blows, they will 
  

smother and grapple to escape the flying fists. Then it goes to
the ground where your opponent and/or his friends will start
shinning their shoes on your head while you are rolling around.
Know how to be a ballistic ground fighter get back up on your
feet as quick as you can

The Multiple Opponent Factor:

•   Most attackers will not attack unless they believe they 
  

have an advantage ( or is psychotic)

•   Most attackers will have some kind of back up ( friends 
  

or weapons) to help them out if they find themselves in trouble

•   If you fall into the trap that you are only fighting one 
  

person, you will become tunnel locked, and the next thing you
will find out is someone is on your back

•   Always be aware of the second or third opponent in a 
  

street fight

•   MUST always be thinking multiples on the street
  

The Weapon Reality:

•   There are more and more fights taking place where a 
  

weapon was brought to use before, during, or after the
confrontation. Especially knives

•   Always be aware and prepared for a weapon in a street 
  

fight at anytime

The Unwanted Frie

[Ryu]

The Unwanted Friend Factor:

•   most fights usually have friends and acquaintances 
  

looking on from both sides

•   these friends will often attempt to separate combatants 
  

in an effort to stop the fight

•   this is very dangerous to you due to the fact that as 
  

your friend is pulling you away, they are tying you up giving an
advantage to your attacker

•   this can take place before, during, and after a fight as 
  

well

•   Although your friends may be trying to help you, unless 
  

on the same page tactically, they are in fact placing you at a
disadvantage

The Offensive Mindset:

•   more often than not, the combatant who strikes first and 
  

maintains the offensive mindset, usually win the fight

•   in a street fight do not go defensive, attack the attack, 
  

go offensive, you deploy FIRST STRIKE and continue with a
compound attack. If he gets the first strike in, you want to
counterattack the aggressor so viciously that he realizes that
now he is the one being attacked and not you

•   This is not a cat and mouse game like you see in the 
  

movies, no fancy moves and then a theme song as you gaze at your
fallen opponent; you have to attack like a banshee and keep on
attacking until your safety is assured by the fact that your
attacker has no interest in contacting you again

So there it is, my two cents, I hope you enjoyed it

Strength and Honor

Darren Laur
Integrated Street Combatives
personalprotection@shaw.ca

[Xebsball]

Ok, i didnt read it. Only some of the titles.

I promise to read it all later.

Some coments (total prejudice style since i didnt read :p)

Police:
Many times police = criminal, same stuff

Court:
Where i am people dont get sued all the time, no problem if i punch your face and break your Michael Jackson nose.

[Justa_Man]

this looks intersting but i’m gonna print it cuz i don’t feel like reading 20 pages right now.

[Kristoffer]

I didn’t read it either
dont think I will
but it looks really interesting !! :rolleyes:

[red5angel]

Ryu

Interesting read, scary if you think about it but we should be thinking about it. I walk through some scary neighborhoods daily, and use some of it, especially standing firm and not allowing people to get to close when asking questions etc.
I have only been jumped once, he was drunk and I was faster.

[Ryu]

Despite the length, I think it’s very important to read for a lot of people. Red5, sounds like you enjoyed it. I’m glad.

everyone else who doesn’t want to read it because of length.. well whatever. But I think you should when you get the chance.

Ryu

[old_jong]

Good post!

The reality of the street agression is very well described in that article.It is scary to realise how the predators of the street have some kind of instinctual psychology when doing their business!
These things are often learned in the elementary school yards for the most!..They start for their fellow school kid cap or lunch money and go up the ladder!

[red_fists]

Hi Ryu.

Thanks for the read, I enjoyed it.

Not much new stuff in there for me, but I reckon a lot of people on this Board should read it and rethink some of the statements that they have made about “realistic fights” and their training methods for them.

Not sure if I agree 100% with his description of the “offensive mindset” though.
It is ok, if it only 1 Guy, but as he mentioned they often got multiple friends waiting on the side.
Nor would this mindset work if there are more than 1 possible Attackers facing you. The cosh/sandbag still has not gone out of fashion yet.

Most Criminals today work in groups of atleast 2 or 3, that even counts for pick-pockets. 1 Guy picks, hands the goods to another Guy.
So if he is arrested he ain’t got the stolen goods on him and goes free.

Other problem is that a lot of muggers and other pro-criminals work in order to get a certain amount a day(often to give to a Boss) and thus are failry high strung and tense and thus more likely to use excessive violence if resisted.

Also agree that friends and by-standers can do more damage than good when trying to help.

Anyhuh, enough of the ranting.

[jon]

Great post RYU thanks for taking the time to post it.
Would have to say im pretty much in agreement with nearly everything said in that article.
It makes you realise just how bad a disadvantage your at in an ‘attack’ situation.
Sparring is great but it doesnt prepare you for being punched in the jaw from the side whilst your dealing with someone else and having to then fight two people with your teeth knocked out and the taste of blood in your mouth.
Realism is a pain but its an evil we all need to face if we are really going to get what we want out of our training.
Thanks again

[straight_blast]

Not a bad read…I especially like the bit about just going ballistic on your opponent until the fight is over. I couldn’t agree more. Much as it might be fun to posture and threaten (a’la Dragonball Z style) it’s the fists that count, not the mouths. If someone makes me feel threatened enough that I actually feel the need to fight them (I’m pretty easygoing) then I’m not going to be feeling too inclined to be gentle when laying the smack down on them.

I reckon if people come away with nothing more than that from this article then they’re ahead.

[scotty1]

Thanks Ryu

Good read, enjoyed it.
Certainly brings you back down to earth again.
And I agree with Straight Blast.

[guohuen]

Thanks Ryu. That was important stuff, and pretty spot on.

[BiNKy]

Awesome read! It really brings out the question “can you handle yourself in a street confrontation?” I train for it and hope that I can but I have yet to experience it. I’ve thwarted a couple of situations that could have turned ugly but I’ve never been in a balls-to-the-wall street fight. True confidence in your skills instead of illusions of grandeur is a great thing to have on your side. I often question myself on why I train and how well can I handle myself when it hits the ceiling. Keeping my head here on earth is important to me. I don’t want to end up disillusioned and possibly injured while wondering why my training didn’t work. I train hard and make myself remember the reasons why I train. It keeps me on track and unlazy.