EPISODE #5: Deescalation and Boundary Setting

[sparker56]

Most who have taken martial arts classes for any length of time have learned to walk away from fights, not from fear but from a true sense of humility.  I've gotten to know at least one of the worlds great practitioners (a name some of you may know) and others, and the common trait is a real, deep-down humble spirit derived from years of training and practice.

Not so with a gun.  Any yahoo with a few bucks can get a gun and go looking for a fight.  In most states, all you need is a minimal class and money for the application and PRESTO you can carry concealed.  It takes a great deal of courage and strength to walk away from a situation that could have gotten ugly fast, and ended badly for one or both parties.  As much as knowing when to get involved and actually taking appropriate action.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating years of training to get a CHL, just encouraging new license holders to not be afraid to walk away from a situation.  It may contrast with the 'macho' image you see in the movies, but it can be the true mark of strength in an individual.

[tombogan03884]

Mossad Ayoob has many excellent video's, books, and articles on this subject.

[Overload]

To followup on Sparker56,
I've been taught that when armed you should get in less fights, to show more responsibility and better judgement.


This is my favorite episode so far.  It hearkens back to an old Shooting Gallery(?) episode.  I remember the scenario being that a guy is filling his car with gas when an aggressive man comes over and starts hassling him.  Guy then needs to use distance and try to deescalate.  Am I remembering correctly?

Overload in CO

[dgray64]

Best Defense is the best show going on TV today!!  Bar none!  I've seen lots of training styles, but this group puts out "real life" events that could be you.  Thanks for putting it forth!!

Dave                       

[Robin]

There's an old martial arts story I read as a kid that applies.

A sword master wanted to see how his students were doing. He placed a pillow on top of a door slightly ajar and asked his three best students to see him. The pillow fell when the first student opened the door. Without thinking the student jumped back while drawing his sword in one smooth motion and cut the pillow in half. The master was not pleased. The second student sensed something was wrong as he approached the door. Looking carefully he noticed the pillow and declined to enter. Again the master was not pleased. When the third student arrived he too noticed the pillow. The student carefully worked his way through the partially open door without dislodging the pillow and approached his master asking why the master wanted to see him.

The first student had good sword skills but would go through life blundering into situations where he would need his skills to protect him. Eventually he would encounter a situation where his skills would not be enough. The second student knew when there was a potentially bad situation but lacked the skills to deal with the situation. The third student knew when there was a problem but had the skill to navigate past it without disturbing anything.

This goes to another thread Rob Pincus started regarding "should" versus "could". Self-defense means many things, but ultimately it means you go home to your family at the end of the day. De-escalation is one example of how to accomplish this with the smallest impact upon your life. Likewise Rob's position that just because you're legally justified to shoot doesn't mean you should is another example. My take is a little broader--de-escalate if you can, avoid shooting if you can't de-escalate, and if you can't avoid shooting make sure it's legally justified and you have the financial resources/insurance to cover criminal/civil trials. If you survive a self-defense situation but lose all your assets and future income to the criminal's family then you've still lost.

[Sponsor]

[Robin]

Rob Pincus shows us how to practice using a firearm from a concealed carry perspective.

Rob, in this segment you drew from an IWB located at 5 o'clock on your body. Why? Everything I've seen leads me to believe that is too far back--there is a greater chance of sweeping yourself, farther distance means slower draw, and those that place their holster that far back tend to do so out of a misguided belief that since they can't see it, it prints less. (The ravenous bugblatter beast of traal defense.)

Obviously you have more training than the average joe. So why do you prefer wearing it that far back compared to the more usual 3 o'clock position?

[Rob Pincus]

Robin,

As for CCW, I find that 3 o'clock is only "more common" on the training ranges and in competition.... out here in the real world, 5 o'clock carry IWB is much more common. If anything, I'd recommend training an appendix carry as a better option to the 5.  This is the position that I generally carry my J-frame in, if it is not in a pocket holster.

The 5 is easier to conceal than the 3 and, while it does present a greater chance of self-coverage than the latter, that chance is easily mitigated by a proper draw-stroke.

-RJP

[Michael Janich]

I second Rob's comments on the 5 o'clock position and would like to add that the exact carry position is also a dynamic combination of body type, weapon type, and dress. Three o'clock has never been comfortable for me and it makes it harder to draw the knife on my strong side. It is also very uncomfortable for me when seated in a vehicle.

Five o'clock fits my body better. It also makes it easier to draw weak handed if necessary--a tactic that also involves many dynamic elements of body type, flexibility, etc.

Stay safe,

Mike

[comp45acp]

Thanks for the great series guys.  You have the best thing going on television and I want you to know that my son and I appreciate it a great deal.  Keep up the great job!

Regards,

Jim

[Robin]

Out here in the real world, 5 o'clock carry IWB is much more common.

Common doesn't necessarily mean correct. See definitions for both "peruse" and "scan"--words that are commonly used to mean the exact opposite of what they originally meant and therefore lost all semantic meaning. Regardless, thanks for your insights and reasoning. Yet another tool to add to the box.

The exact carry position is also a dynamic combination of body type, weapon type, and dress. Three o'clock has never been comfortable for me. It is also very uncomfortable for me when seated in a vehicle.

I hear you regarding "dynamic combination"--I'm the opposite and find 5 o'clock uncomfortable when driving. But then I have also given up hope of carrying IWB with a tucked in shirt because I think it bulges too far out for my frame.