Our approach is a little less trees and a bit more forest as far as perspective goes. Don't limit yourself to specific techniques or striking areas. Each altercation will be different. But I like the 2nd post about the general criteria about the situations; be aware of your surroundings, etc.. .
General SD principles we stress:
1. Il Kyuk (one strike) is the driving principle in our association. Obviously you will not take everyone out with one strike, but that is the goal, which means always strike a vital point, and move as efficiently with as little strikes as it takes to walk away from the situation. How many students do you see in your dojangs using 10 + techs in a single one step self defense drill? INEFFICIENT!
2. Attack the attack, don't block and wait.. . ... . and then counter. By advancing as the assailant is striking you are putting them off balance and capitalizing on their openings as they strike.
3. If you are against a person with a blade? If you will survive by giving them your wallet, GIVE THEM YOUR WALLET. If you believe they intend to kill you, know you will get cut; CHOOSE where you get cut.
I suppose that efficiency and intent are the driving factors of what we stress in our dojangs. Knowing how you move, where that puts you in relation to your opponent. Knowing WHERE to strike to when the opening shows itself. Knowing HOW to strike when the opening shows itself.
One step self defense is where this all starts with our gups. We occasionally focus a class on SD from other advances than just a punch, i.e. grabs, charges, knives, kicks, etc. At BB we practice a more free style one step, where the opponent can throw any one attack, and you spontaniously react, and counter with control. Granted, none of these drills simulates the real thing, but it does work on those principles listed above and reinforces muscle memory patterns for your favorite counters.