By James Harvey Stout (deceased). This material is now in the public domain. The complete collection of Mr. Stout's writing is now at http://stout.mybravenet.com/public_html/h/ >

Jump to the following topics:

1. We can avoid being selected for an attack.
2. When confronted, do not be antagonistic. 
3. We can use these tactics if we are physically assaulted.
4. Know the laws regarding self-defense. 

We can avoid being selected for an attack.

1. Don't display your wealth (e.g., a fat wallet or expensive jewelry).
2. Be vigilant and intuitive, especially in "bad neighborhoods." Our expression of alertness will discourage attackers, and it make us more conscious of their approach.
3. Act assertive, self-assured, and relaxed. Try not to express insecurity, uncertainty, or weakness. (The "as if" principle is useful here.)

When confronted, do not be antagonistic. Especially if the mugger has a weapon, remember that your valuables can be replaced; they are not as important as your health and life. Even a black-belt martial artist will usually submit to an armed mugger.

1. Make note of the person's appearance, so that you will be able to identify the person to police. The appearance includes the clothing, weapon, mustache or beard, age, scars, height, weight, color of hair and skin and and eyes, etc.
2. Don't underestimate the person. You don't know whether he or she has superior fighting skills and even a hidden weapon.
3. Do not respond to the person's aggressive attitude with your own. Instead, act humble and mild and calm; don't make belligerent remarks; apologize (even if you have no reason to do so). We can play this submissive role without feeling psychologically compromised; we can pretend that we are just an actor in a play.
4. Do not offer to "step outside." Outside, the antagonist might have friends, and we might have no one to break up a fight which we are losing.
5. Look for an opportunity to run. This is not cowardice; this is quickness and good sense. Even if we are in a situation where we cannot run a long distance, we can try to to separate ourselves from the attacker with furniture, a car, or other people.
6. If the person wants your valuables, move slowly so that your motions won't be interpreted as a threat.

We can use these tactics if we are physically assaulted.  

1. If the fight is unavoidable, disregard protocol. Fight "dirty," and hurt the person by every available means.
2. Get a weapon -- anything which can inflict pain. One powerful weapon is our own body (including fists, elbows, feet, knees, forehead, and other solid parts) although we might break our own bones in the impact.
3. Identify the fighting style of the attacker. The main categories of fighters are boxers, wrestlers, and martial artists. Don't try to fight these people on their terms; they'll beat you. A few suggestions:
   • A boxer.
     • The person's strategy: Punches.
     • Our defense: Watch the hands and feet (which will indicate when a punch is coming).
     • Our counter-attack: Grab the person, to turn the boxing match into a wrestling match, which we are more likely to win.
   • A wrestler.
     • The person's strategy: Grabbing us or tackling us.
     • Our defense: Keep your hands low, to avoid a tackle on the lower part of your body. And, obviously, try to break free if the attacker grabs the upper part of your body.
     • Our counter-attack: Punch the person, to try to turn the wrestling match into a boxing match, which we are more likely to win.
   • A martial artist.
     • The person's strategy: A large variety of strategies from the hands and feet (which reach farther than the hands).
     • Our defense: If a kick comes, back up on an angle (not straight backward).
     • Our counter-attack: Don't attempt a punch (which can be stopped by a martial artist) or a low tackle (because a martial artist knows how to use feet and knees as weapons). Try to throw the person to the ground, where the martial arts are less effective.

Know the laws regarding self-defense. These laws are not intended to restrict our right to defend ourselves. If you are uncertain about your legal limitations, just go ahead and defend yourself in any way that seems necessary, and accept the possibility that you might have to justify your actions later in a courtroom. (Martial artists say, "It is better to be judged by twelve than carried by six" -- referring to twelve jury members and six pallbearers). The United States has the following laws:

1. We are allowed to use force in these situations:
   • The person threatens us with violence, and we believe that the threat will be carried out.
   • The person has started an attack -- even if, for example, a punch was thrown and it missed us.
   • The person claims to have a weapon and then reaches for it. We can use force even if we do not see the weapon, and even if there is not actually a weapon at all (but we believe that there might be one).
2. We are not allowed to use force in these situations:
   • The person merely insults us.
   • The person has beaten up another person (even if the victim is a family member).
   • The fight is finished. At some point, there is a clear winner, and so the law requires us to stop fighting. Even if the other person started that fight, we would be considered the aggressor in a new fight if we continue to hit the person, or if we have a pause in the action and then we re-start the fight.