Recently there were two separate incidents where students in South East London were forced to call upon what they have learned in class:

1) N.A. pre-emptively took down a thug that followed racist abuse with a double-hand clothing grab. The technique was a variation of what he'd learned in class.

He did the right thing - dropped the many bags of shopping he was holding, then responded quickly to the guy's next move.

Failing to do that, he could have ended up far worse off.

After seeing his much larger friend get dropped so easily, his accomplice made the right decision to back off.

TRAIN FOR YOUR ENVIRONMENT

Some thoughts from one of our students who is a serving police officer on environmental issues to think about when training.

When we train it usually takes place inside a building or hall, which is convenient, warm and safe. We all train diligently and try our hardest to do the technique we are shown by the instructors. But take the same technique outside into the urban environment, will the technique that works on the floor of the hall which is flat and smooth or training mat which is soft, work as well? Not because you haven’t trained hard or listened too your instructor but were you mentally ready for the outdoors or in your head are you are still  inside the dojo.This is why when I train i don’t just think about the room I am in but visualize the street, club or pub.

Next time when you are walking home from work or out for the day look at the how uneven the pavement is, what street furniture is around to help (possible cover or use as a weapon) or hinder (trip or block your way). Look at the bins, benches rubbish outside shops, all things that can affect you making the right decision. When the weather is dry, warm and its daylight, you can see where you’re going, you might have to fight or do a take down and restrain. (Remember that not only will you hurt the attacker but you will probably get cuts and bruises yourself). But don’t forget when it’s dark and the weather is not so good your surroundings can look dramatically different and there maybe no one around too call for help.

The environment can be a very unforgiving place. Here is a cheery thought, how about rolling around in puke, piss, blood or alcohol (yours or theirs) at the local taxi queue, bus stop or train station or there’s dog crap on the pavement, That take down  does not seem so appealing, but the reality is this is the environment you may have to put your training into practice. I’m not saying you should go out and roll around in any of the above for the experience or be paranoid all the time but just be aware of where you are and who and what is around.. Do you have to walk past that alleyway to get to the carpark or would it be safer to go a different way? This is why I chose to be an instructor in Urban Krav Maga. Not only is it practical and effective but training can take place inside but also could be in the park, a grass area or on a bus. When you next go to a pub or club, look at the amount of people, listen too the noise and see the potential danger signs. It could be the difference of having a good night with your friends/family or getting attacked. Also remember how quickly the environment can change. Imagine you have not seen the danger signs, you have had to defend yourself and managed to escape. You’re running away. One minute you’re pounding along on the pavement making Hussein Bolt look slow then just as suddenly it could be slippery grass, mud, gravel and before you know it your on your arse with your attackers stamping all over you.. Be aware of your environment and possible escape routes.

I will give you an example of learning the hard way. I was on patrol with my mate and it came through on the radio that a male was looking into vehicles at the local shopping centre. Driving around we spotted a male that fitted the description. I jumped out and he saw us and walked away. I was gently jogging after him past members of the public. We went down a side alley and as I came around the corner he was speeding up and I had to run across a road, and an open grassy area where I nearly stacked it in front of a queue of people waiting at the bus stop. But I managed to recover and keep going. (At this point I’m sure I heard an elated intake of breath at my stumble and then oh…of disappointment at my expert recovery) We ran down a river bank under a bridge where I shouted at the male to stop (I can’t say what I said) but stop he did. After name checks ect…he was allowed to go. I thought about this short run of no more than 10-15sec and how the environment changed in such a short time, an alleyway, crowd, open space with slippery grass, river bank and then back on pavement under a bridge.

Just one other thing before I sign off. How many of you walk around with i-pods or mobile phones plugged in to your ears? Quite a few I bet, but think how this distracts and how detached you are from your environment and what is happening around you. How easy is for people to approach you without you noticing at the last minute. I don’t want to be a kill joy but for that short journey depending where you are is it worth taking the risk?