Why You Should Never Underestimate Your Opponent
We all are guilty of making assumptions about others. Whether it is a coworker or a neighbor, we can tend to be lulled into both a false sense of security
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Why You Should Never Underestimate Your Opponent
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Chuckman
Senior Member
Years ago I heard someone say "winning a fight is often getting out of it", or "the fight you win is the one you're not in".
I practice confrontation avoidance. If I have to fight it's because there was no choice.
Interesting point that the biggest failure is not recognizing the (growing) threat. I think human nature is that we refuse to believe it will happen (i.e., "this isn't happening") until it's too late, then we react instead of being proactive.
I practice confrontation avoidance. If I have to fight it's because there was no choice.
Interesting point that the biggest failure is not recognizing the (growing) threat. I think human nature is that we refuse to believe it will happen (i.e., "this isn't happening") until it's too late, then we react instead of being proactive.
I like the “guarded retreat” idea …
If you assess that your opponent can and will do physical harm to you, and you have the opportunity to flee, take it. A rout is the process of turning and running at full speed. You are dropping your guard and dedicating all your energy to flight. At this point, you are defenseless. A rout is the most dangerous form of retreat because it hinges entirely on you being able to outmaneuver and outrun your opponent.
A guarded retreat means maintaining your guard until you are able to reach a point where you can run without being pursued. This means maintaining your basic defense stance and moving towards an exit, keeping your attention divided between the exit and your opponent. Once you reach a safe distance where you are assured you can keep distance while you flee, do it.
If you assess that your opponent can and will do physical harm to you, and you have the opportunity to flee, take it. A rout is the process of turning and running at full speed. You are dropping your guard and dedicating all your energy to flight. At this point, you are defenseless. A rout is the most dangerous form of retreat because it hinges entirely on you being able to outmaneuver and outrun your opponent.
A guarded retreat means maintaining your guard until you are able to reach a point where you can run without being pursued. This means maintaining your basic defense stance and moving towards an exit, keeping your attention divided between the exit and your opponent. Once you reach a safe distance where you are assured you can keep distance while you flee, do it.
Complacent and underestimating walk hand in hand.
There is an old list of some combat tactics …
- when attacked take care that it’s not several threats coming for you … threats can come in multiples
- try to secure an advantageous position
- try to place yourself in a position that makes it difficult for the threat to see you easily and clearly
- don’t act unless the threat is within range and you have him squarely within your sights
- strike when the threat least expects it … strike when opportunity for damage is best swift and full
- keep your eye on the threat and don’t be deceived. If he seems toback down make sure it’s not a trick
- never turn your back to run from a threat. If you are surprised by a threat on your tail, turn and face it
- foolish acts of bravery lead to a foolish death
- when attacked take care that it’s not several threats coming for you … threats can come in multiples
- try to secure an advantageous position
- try to place yourself in a position that makes it difficult for the threat to see you easily and clearly
- don’t act unless the threat is within range and you have him squarely within your sights
- strike when the threat least expects it … strike when opportunity for damage is best swift and full
- keep your eye on the threat and don’t be deceived. If he seems toback down make sure it’s not a trick
- never turn your back to run from a threat. If you are surprised by a threat on your tail, turn and face it
- foolish acts of bravery lead to a foolish death
My favorite saying is “the only disgrace in running from a fight is getting a late start”.
georgel
Behind Every Blade of Grass
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Exiting the kill zone is generally the preferred strategy. But, this needs to occur before actual contact/confrontation. And, be aware that "backing up" has it's own risk. A former defensive pistol technique, called the speed rock involved stepping back and leaning backwards to facilitate a quick draw and fire. The problem was you were off balance and you could trip over something unseen behind you. You were easily pushed over and your opponent can cover much more ground, more quickly, because they are moving forward, while you are moving backward. Avoid instinctively backing up.
A guarded retreat means maintaining your guard until you are able to reach a point where you can run without being pursued. This means maintaining your basic defense stance and moving towards an exit, keeping your attention divided between the exit and your opponent. Once you reach a safe distance where you are assured you can keep distance while you flee, do it.
If the opponent is indeed agressing toward you to the point you need to put up a guard, I don't think you're going to be able gain any significant distance from him while in a close defensive posture. You're retreating and he's advancing.
He also seems to not account for the 2nd or 3rd man. The person you see may actually be driving you toward the real attacker that you don't see. Always assume there is an accomplice and be relieved if there isn't one, afterward. Upon initial contact or suspicion, look behind you for the accomplice. Channge your position. Reset their OODA loop.
Personally, I feel the exit strategy needs to occur before you need to put up a guard. After that, it's strategy for a fight. If you can disable your attacker(s), temporarily or permanently, then it's an afterburner exit.
The comments here about avoiding the fight also apply to de-escalation and deterrence.
Here was an accompanying article that pertains to this topic... https://www.usacarry.com/non-confrontational-stance/
Just my perspective...
A guarded retreat means maintaining your guard until you are able to reach a point where you can run without being pursued. This means maintaining your basic defense stance and moving towards an exit, keeping your attention divided between the exit and your opponent. Once you reach a safe distance where you are assured you can keep distance while you flee, do it.
If the opponent is indeed agressing toward you to the point you need to put up a guard, I don't think you're going to be able gain any significant distance from him while in a close defensive posture. You're retreating and he's advancing.
He also seems to not account for the 2nd or 3rd man. The person you see may actually be driving you toward the real attacker that you don't see. Always assume there is an accomplice and be relieved if there isn't one, afterward. Upon initial contact or suspicion, look behind you for the accomplice. Channge your position. Reset their OODA loop.
Personally, I feel the exit strategy needs to occur before you need to put up a guard. After that, it's strategy for a fight. If you can disable your attacker(s), temporarily or permanently, then it's an afterburner exit.
The comments here about avoiding the fight also apply to de-escalation and deterrence.
Here was an accompanying article that pertains to this topic... https://www.usacarry.com/non-confrontational-stance/
Just my perspective...
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The last time I was in an aggressive situation I leaned forward slowly and said quietly " Do not confuse kindness with weakness" This allowed the attacker to save face when he had friends around and made it his choice to back away.