"Principles of Personal Defense"

[KenpoTex]

If there was one book that I would consider a "must read" for any student of self-defense, it would be Principles of Personal Defense by Colonel Jeff Cooper. Those who carry a gun for SD are no doubt familiar with him, at least to an extent. While his writings are often geared toward the "gun crowd," there are valuable concepts for anyone who studies SD. The following is a brief summary of the 7 characteristics discussed in this particular book.

The book can be found for less than $15 and is definately worth getting.
here's one place where it can be found: http://www.tacticalresponsegear.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=99&products_id=2857

Condensed from the book of the same title by Col. Jeff Cooper

Alertness – “A commander may be forgiven for being defeated, but never for being surprised.” Alertness is, to some extent, an inherent personality trait, but it can be learned and improved. Once we accept that there are evil men capable of evil deeds, we automatically sharpen our senses. Know what is behind you and pay attention to anything out of place. The most likely attack is from behind. If you can anticipate an action you have a better chance of winning. Always be ready to take appropriate defensive/offensive action. Learn to live in “condition yellow.”

Decisiveness – It is difficult for us to change in an instant to take decisive action to meet a violent emergency. When it becomes evident that you are faced with violent physical assault, your life depends upon selecting a correct course of action and carrying it through without hesitation. There is no time to ponder. When under attack, the best course of action is to counterattack. This is contrary to our normally civilized behavior so it can be hard for us to do. The best way to cultivate this principle is through mental scenarios: What would I do if … This will help you to recognize the threat and in your ability to respond quicker, to solve the problem ahead of time. When under attack, it is necessary to evaluate the situation and decide immediately the proper course of action. Don’t hesitate, be decisive!

Aggressiveness – In defense we don’t initiate violence but our response to the attack should be overwhelming violence. “The best defense is a good offense.” “The best defense is an explosive counterattack.” You have observed this in the animal world. Aggressiveness provides and edge and the surprise factor since the assailant does not expect aggressiveness in his victims. Your skills become a critical factor when counterattacking. A skill person with a handgun can win a multiple assailants attack if he can act quickly and with an aggressive counterattack. This principle by itself have save lives by startling the attackers and discouraging the attack. Get angry, concentrate on the destruction of your enemy.

Speed – Speed is the essence of any form of combat. A big gun is no good if it didn’t fire on time. At the very instant that we recognize the imminent danger, we most move as fast as we can. If he has shot at us we must hit him before he can shoot again, if he hasn’t shot yet, we’ll have an edge of reaction time, we must be fast to hit. You don’t need to be fair, fight back instantly, be sudden, be quick, be fast.

Coolness – You must keep your head! You can’t afford to lose your “coolness”. If you can stay “cool” you’ll be able to shoot more precisely. You need to stay cool to be able to perform under stress.

Ruthlessness – Your assailant deserves no consideration. Do whatever it takes to stop him. Everything goes, hit as hard as you possibly can. Keep shooting until the threat stop, keep fighting until the threat no longer exists. Be harsh, be tough, be ruthless.

Surprise – This is the first principle of offensive combat, we must strive for “tactical surprise” by doing what the assailant least expect us to do, a fast, violent, aggressive counterattack. All the previous principles combine will produce the surprise factor to throw him completely off and win the fight.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

It is a great book and a definate must read in my opinion.

 

[Em MacIntosh]

That's how I defend myself but I've caught static from other members on this sight about being excessive for my "make sure" attitude. I agree with coolness but for me it is the most elusive aspect.
"Mercy is for the weak. We do not train to be merciful here. When someone faces you they are the enemy. Enemy deserves no mercy."
Gotta love the cobra-kai, lol. Seriously though, I don't think I want to get my BB or I'll land in jail for breaking some guys face who attacked me with a bat because "I'm a deadly weapon" now, all of a sudden. The people who make these laws probably think BB's can fly and shoot lasers from their eyes. That's the way it is where I live anyway. You're supposed to use what you've learned to defend yourself to "take his knife away and give him a slap on the wrist." Once you have a BB you lose all right to defend yourself it seems. Isn't a knife excessive force too?..
Freakin' politics.

 

[tellner]

It's one of the few real classics in the field.

 

[Nomad]

"Mercy is for the weak. We do not train to be merciful here. When someone faces you they are the enemy. Enemy deserves no mercy."
Gotta love the cobra-kai, lol. Seriously though, I don't think I want to get my BB or I'll land in jail for breaking some guys face who attacked me with a bat because "I'm a deadly weapon" now, all of a sudden. The people who make these laws probably think BB's can fly and shoot lasers from their eyes. That's the way it is where I live anyway. You're supposed to use what you've learned to defend yourself to "take his knife away and give him a slap on the wrist." Once you have a BB you lose all right to defend yourself it seems. Isn't a knife excessive force too?..
Freakin' politics.

You mean they haven't taught you how to fly and shoot lasers from your eyes yet??? You obviously still have a long way to go... :mst: