“Best” Self-Defense
How to design the most effective and most appropriate
self-defense combinations
Overview
The purpose of this training module is to
review the practical and legal considerations
pertaining to self-defense while providing
instructors a paradigm for developing the
best possible self-defense training
curriculum for their students.
Learning Objectives

Design the most effective Self-Defense Combinations to combat
common adversaries and other threats
-
-
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Review the legal considerations pertaining to self-defense
Understand the Spectrum of Conflict & Mitigation
Analyze conflict situations and determine the most appropriate level of
defensive retaliation
Understand and apply the principles of risk assessment, situational
awareness, level-of-force, proportionate response, power ratio, holistic
self-defense, and economy-of-motion
Learn the 4-D Methodology of self-defense
Apply the 4-D Methodology to a variety of threat scenarios
Review the vulnerable points on the body and how to attack them
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of any self-defense combination
LESSON 1
Self-Defense Law
Legal Considerations
Part 1
Avoid physical confrontation: If there is a safe avenue of retreat, use it. Always back
away if possible.
Do not appear to be the aggressor: This does not require ‘taking the first punch’,
but it does require being as certain as you can be that physical contact is imminent prior to
reacting.
Evaluate aggravating and mitigating factors: Is there a size, age, or ability
differential? Are you or the attacker armed or trained? All of these factors will help you determine
the appropriate level of force.
Use only the force necessary to deter the attack: This does not require the
use of ineffective techniques, but rather mature reflection prior to a confrontation (i.e. during
training) about what technique, including escape, is appropriate in which situation.
Once the attacker is immobilized, STOP: This does not mean that you must
give your attacker a “fighting chance.” Disable them appropriately in order to facilitate your safe
escape - do no more damage than necessary.
Legal Considerations
Part 2
DEFENDING OTHERS
When intervening on behalf of a stranger, ensure, as much as possible, that the intervention is
justified and necessary. As a rule, interference in domestic disputes is unwise and can lead to many
legal complications.
DEFENDING PROPERTY:
In the United States, human rights are superior to property rights. The use of force in the
protection of property is very risky. If confrontation is inevitable, give a warning when defending
property, unless doing so would be dangerous or futile (which is often the case). You should give
the aggressor notice that you intend to use force against him, in order to allow him to reconsider his
position.
DISCLAIMER: This summary does not represent a comprehensive
legal review of the “self-defense” law in every state. Consult the
professional services of an attorney for a legal opinion regarding the
criminal or civil liabilities specific to your state and situation.
LESSON 2
The Nature of Conflict and
Self-Defense
Key Terminology

RISK ASSESSMENT: The systematic analysis of the potential risks to one’s
health & safety based on the consideration of environmental, human, and
situational threats

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS: The ability to maintain alertness to the
ever-changing conditions of one’s environment

LEVEL-OF-FORCE: A general way of gauging the relative lethality of
physical attacks by evaluating techniques in terms of their ability to inflict
damage or injury

POWER RATIO: In self-defense, the comparison between the attacker’s
power as compared to the defender’s power

PROPORTIONATE RESPONSE: The defender’s execution of selfdefense techniques that have an equal, or lesser, level-of-force than the perceived
level of their attacker’s assault
Conflict & Mitigation
All conflict is not created equal –
different levels of violence warrant
different self-defense responses
The lethality of the attacker’s assault and other
situational considerations should be factored
into the defender’s decision-making process
regarding what combination of techniques are
optimally suited for any given scenario
Spectrum of Conflict & Mitigation
The attacker’s objective is
to exploit their victim
through intimidation
and/or physical violence.
ATTACK
Conflict
Passive
Aggression
ANNOYANCE
Punching &
Kicking
Wrist Grab
Choke
Bear
Hug
Verbal
Threats
LETHALITY
Knife Attack
SPECTRUM OF CONFLICT & MITIGATION
Verbal
Argument
EVASION
As the defender’s mastery
of techniques increases,
they improve their ability to
control the attacker with
less destructive power.
Avoidance
Joint
Controls
Throws
Take-Downs
Releases
Disabling
Strikes
DESTRUCTION
Lethal
Strikes
DEFENSE
Mitigation
If the attacker increases the
lethality of their assault, the
defender may increase the
destructiveness of their defense.
Conflict & Mitigation
Scenario 1
SCENARIO: On a busy Saturday afternoon, a person walks by you in
the mall and grabs your wrist.
DON’T – Execute a wrist release followed by shattering their
elbow and kicking them in the groin. ISSUE: The attacker may not be a true
threat (drunk, drugged, or disabled – lacking
proper judgment) This overly violent
response is probably not proportionate to
the threat posed by the attacker.
DO – Quickly assess the situation and execute a wrist release.
Assertively command the attacker to “back away” (which also
draws public attention) and seek additional help from security
personnel.
Conflict & Mitigation
Scenario 2
SCENARIO: A person suddenly comes up behind you and grabs your
wrist while you are unlocking your car door. It is late at night and
there are no other people in the area.
DON’T – Execute a wrist release and scream for help while
running away ISSUE: Though screaming may attract some attention, it is unlikely in this
particular scenario. Running will just cause your attacker to chase you. When they
catch you, they will be even more intent on restraining or injuring you.
DO – Quickly assess the situation and execute a wrist release.
Immediately knee/kick the attacker in the groin while striking
multiple targets on their head. Disable them sufficiently to allow
you to get in your car, lock the doors, and swiftly drive away.
LESSON 3
Designing and Practicing
Effective Self-Defense
Combinations
4-D Methodology
DISTRACT your attacker’s mental and physical focus (ki) by
acting like you don’t pose a physical threat and/or by
temporarily redirecting their attention. NOTE: If the attack is an
instantaneous strike, the defender skips this step and goes directly into disarming.
DISTRACT
DISARM
DISABLE
DISAPPEAR
DISARM your attacker by controlling or neutralizing their
“weapons” (hold, strike, knife, etc.) You should also
simultaneously employ whatever defensive strikes (atemi)
are necessary to equalize the power ratio between you and
your attacker.
DISABLE your attacker by sufficiently incapacitating them
so that they can not pursue their attack and you can ensure
your escape.
DISAPPEAR from the scene and go to a safe location.
4-D Methodology
in practice
DISTRACT
Act relaxed and non-threatening
Direct your head & eyes and/or voice to a location that will temporarily channel your attacker’s
visual and mental focus away from the attack
DISARM
Execute a quick hand strike or kick that will further distract the attacker’s mental focus while
beginning to diminish their physical energy and simultaneously…
Remove the primary threat (hold, strike, knife, gun, etc.) by controlling and neutralizing the
weapon while continuing to execute strikes to vulnerable points on their body
DISABLE
Ground the attacker with a throw or take-down (“ground strike”) intended to “knock the wind
out of them” or stun them and further diminish their physical energy
Execute a “finishing blow” that will keep the attacker on the ground and make them unable to
continue their attack
DISAPPEAR
Leave the scene as quickly as possible to avoid subsequent retaliation from the attacker or their
friends. Report the incident to authorities, as necessary.
KEY PRINCIPLES
Holistic Self-Defense
The attacker’s or
defender's total power is
derived from their ability
to optimize the
contributions of all three
of these human elements
BODY
POWER
The defender’s strategy
should be to target
aspects of the attacker’s
body, mind, and spirit
within their self-defense
combination
SPIRIT
MIND
Economy of Motion
 Every defensive movement of your body should have a
purpose (use every physical motion you make to execute a control,
strike, and/or throw - don’t waste movements)
 Meet your attacker’s energy and direct it to where it wants to
go (use their strength to your advantage by directing the motion of their
techniques along the path they are already traveling)
 The defender’s defense is often determined by the attacker’s
attack (have a flexible arsenal of techniques which can be used from
multiple body positions and in a variety of situations set by the attacker)
 Perfect power is effortless (develop techniques and combinations
that will be most successful most of the time with as little use of physical
strength as possible)
Target Specific Points
Kyusho Jitsu
Bridge of
the Nose
Upper Lip
Throat
Solar-Plexus
Eye
Hair
Temple
Ear Canal
Mid-Cheek
Mid-Jaw
Mid-Shoulder Hollow
Collar Bone
Mid-Bicep
Upper-Outside Forearm
Downward Hammer-Fist to
the Bridge-of-the-Nose
Upper-Inside Thigh
Groin
Mid-Outside Thigh
Lower-Inside Thigh
Strike to the Head
Lower-Outside Thigh
Kick to the Body
Knee Cap
Upper-Inside Leg
Instep
Ball-of-Foot Front Kick to
the Solar Plexus
Make Every Defensive Strike Count
“Target Points” - Review
Bridge of
the Nose
Upper Lip
Throat
Solar-Plexus
Eye
Hair
Temple
Ear Canal
Mid-Cheek
Mid-Jaw
Mid-Shoulder Hollow
Collar Bone
Earlobe Notch
Rear Neck Hollow
Mid-Bicep
Upper-Outside Forearm
Groin
Side-of-the-Neck
Back-of-the-Neck
Mid-Shoulder
Upper-Inside Thigh
Mid-Tricep
Floating Ribs
Elbow
Mid-Outside Thigh
Lower-Inside Thigh
Lower-Outside Thigh
Tail Bone
Upper-Rear Thigh
Knee Cap
Upper-Inside Leg
Kidneys
Pressure Point / Nerve Plexus
Bone / Joint
Additional Pressure Points
Instep
Mid-Calf
Achilles Tendon
The “Best” Combination
Sample
You are walking downtown one evening after having dinner at a local restaurant with a friend. As
you round the corner of a building, a young man jumps out and grabs your right wrist with his
left hand while threatening to beat you with the club in his right hand.
DISTRACT: Put up your left hand and tell him you’ll do “anything he wants” while also further
evaluating your surroundings and the developing situation
Rationale: Acting submissive may allow him to feel like he’s already overpowered you / raising your left hand makes him think you are giving
up, but, in reality, you are moving your free hand to a position where you can protect yourself if he swings the club / this distracting tactic may
also give you a few extra seconds to better evaluate the situation
DISARM: Outside-forearm block-strike with your left hand and grab+secure his right arm (w/the
club) while simultaneously striking his groin with a rising knee strike and a wrist-turn release from
the attacker’s left hand which is grabbing your right wrist. Rising palm strike to the attacker’s chin
with your freed right hand. Move outside his right arm (w/club) while extending and locking his
right elbow straight. Manipulate the club out of his hand and use it to hit him on the back-of-theneck. Sweep the leg that is closest to you and drop him to the ground.
DISABLE: Heel stomp to the solar-plexus. (add more strikes as necessary)
DISAPPEAR: Immediately leave the area, ideally by car. Call 911 to report your attacker’s medical
emergency.
LESSON 4
Instructional Tools
Teaching How to A.C.T.
Awareness
Avoiding a fight is usually the best
self-defense “technique”
Observe your surroundings
Evaluate human behavior
Anticipate hazards
Confidence
Think, feel, and look strong
Protect your personal space
Demonstrate the “will to survive”
Techniques
If you must defend, do so quickly,
assertively, and precisely.
Keep it simple
Understand your limitations
Practice often with precision
Evaluating Combinations
Keep it E.A.S.I.
Total Score 17-20 = “Best Combination”
Effectiveness – To what degree can the combination actually “disable” the attacker?
Can’t
Barely
Somewhat
Fairly Well
Very Well
1
2
3
4
5
Adaptability – To what extent can this combination be executed in a variety of different environments and situations?
Non-Adaptable
1
Limited
Modest
Adaptable
Ideal
2
3
4
5
Simplicity – How easy are the techniques and transitions for a person with about one(1) year of training?
Too Complex
1
Complicated
Needs Practice
Reasonable
2
3
4
Perfectible
5
Influence – To what degree can the defender influence the situation by controlling the attacker’s weapons & power?
Can’t
Barely
Somewhat
Fairly Well
1
2
3
4
Very Well
5
About the Author
Chris Poirier, Sensei

30 years of traditional martial arts experience

Active Instructor since 1983

Black Belts: Jujutsu (Godan), Karate (Godan), RyuKyu Kempo (Nidan)

Additional Experience: Goju Ryu Karate & Kobudo, Fire Dragon
Kung-Fu, Aikido, Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Judo

Instructed Military Combatives for the Army & Defensive Tactics for law
enforcement personnel

Designed and instructed the S.S.T. program (Safety & Survival Tactics)

Developed customized self-defense seminars for: College Students, Grade-School
Children, Teens, Military Family Members, Girls & Women, Medical Personnel, Scouting Programs, Educators, and
Business Professionals
[email protected]