Thinking in "Plan Bs"

I’ve looked at different postings on different forums and such. I’ve seen some great accolades from our students. The ones that catch me are those that mention how the instructors really seem to care and how they seem to have a passion for what they are doing. Well, let me tell you. You have no idea how much we care. What we do and what we are preparing you for is real. Let me tell you a story, unfortunately this one is also real.

Last week a 19 year old girl was raped. Sadly, not an uncommon headline but an almost unheard of occurance in this community. 10:00 pm, along a heavily traveled street, in a very safe community. This evening was not unlike any other in her life. She often took a walk in the evening. As she was walking she saw a man ahead of her. Nothing particular or strange about him but an overwhelming feeling inside her told her something was wrong. SIDE NOTE - REQUIRED READING: The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker. She crossed the street to avoid his approaching path of travel. She lost sight of him but still had an uneasy feeling so she decided to walk to the nearest public place. It was closed. So she continued on to the next public place that she knew was open. Moments later she was attacked from behind in a bar arm choke. He pulled her down into a deep drainage ditch that runs along the side walk. She struggled and escaped. He grabbed her in a bear hug and pulled her back. She tries to punch him. He punches her in the mouth. He drags her into some trees and sits on top of her and begins to strangle her. During the assault he whispers in her ear.

Now let me be the first to say that I will never judge someone by how they respond under this type of stress. But count the ways and opportunities there were for her to effectively defend herself and escape. 1. Bar arm choke. 2. Bear hug from behind/arms free. 3. Inside defense. 4. Combatives. 5. Choke from the front while in mount. 6.Guard escape. It makes me crazy mad to think that this assault could have possibly been stopped with any one of six ways.

We all must be thinking in “Plan Bs”. This young woman had a self defense text book “Plan A”. She was aware of her surroundings; she avoided a potentially dangerous encounter; she sought out safety in a public place.

She had no Plan B.

Please come to class. Please have fun. And please, in some part of your brain, remember the seriousness of what we are doing on that floor. We are fiercely and relentlessly preparing “Plan B”.