How to Use 'SSAP' in Self Defense
Surprise, Speed, Accuracy, Power
[If you would like to learn how to defend yourself, I highly recommend you enroll in a self-defense or martial arts class in your community. Even several months of training will usually prepare you to deal with the possibility of defending against an attack. Check out two or three different classes before signing up. Be sure you like the instructors and the atmosphere of the class. Self-defense training should be effective, but taught in a friendly environment.]
When a man attacks a woman or a child — the gloves are off. I teach women and kids to do anything they have to do to stop the attack and escape. I teach them a martial arts system I call SSAP. Here’s how it works —
SSAP – Surprise, Speed, Accuracy, Power
Surprise your attacker – Yell in their face, put your palms, thumbs, or fingers into their eyes. Kick or strike them hard in the groin. Stomp on top of their feet. The bad guys don’t expect that kind of response, which often puts out the spark in their mind (mind intent). Instead of thinking about hurting you, your rapid response will get them thinking about how you’re hurting them. A quick and forceful response is confusing to someone who is used to attacking children or women successfully. You are about to disrupt their world.
Speed – Practice defensive techniques that can be completed in 1-2 seconds. Learn enough of the 1-2 second responses that you could continue for at least 15-20 seconds. Multiple strikes to face, throat and groin in two seconds or less can end the attack. If the attacker doesn’t stop, keep striking, kicking, scratching, and biting. If you have training in throwing, use it. If you have training in trapping as part of a throwing technique, use it. Use whatever you know as fast as you can. Don’t give your attacker time to respond in a way that knocks you unconscious or puts you in some other position where you can’t continue your response.
Practice your favorite techniques hundreds of times until they become locked in by muscle memory. Practice with your hands and feet for times when you have space between you and the attacker. Practice with your elbow, knees, thumbs, and fingers for times when you don’t have space between you and the attacker. Your goal is to escape, so know how to hit fast going forward and fast going backward. Also, practice screaming and yelling words that other people would recognize as your being attacked.
Keeping your balance is another important goal. If you lose your balance, you can’t hit as hard and your attacker could take you to the ground. That’s one of the reasons we emphasize learning strong stances in martial arts. You can still escape from the ground, but it’s harder to do and there’s more chance of you getting hurt if that happens. Do your best not to fall down. Plus, your attacker may have friends nearby. You don’t want to be on the ground with two or more men trying to hurt you. Oh, if you do get pushed or pulled to the ground, use your elbows, knees, thumbs, and fingers there as well. Don’t give up.
Accuracy – Practice striking/kicking from your center. That way you will hit what your eyes see. Practice hitting the eyes with hands and elbows, thumbs and fingers. Practice hitting the nose with hands, elbows, and palms. Practice hitting the throat with hands and elbows. Practice hitting the middle of an attacker’s chest or stomach with hands, elbows, and knees. Practice hitting the groin with feet, fists, and knees. If you ever have to use your self defense skills in a real attack, you want your arsenal ready to go and aimed in the right direction.
Power – Put your body into your strikes. Strike and kick like your life is in on the line – because it might be. If you can afford it, buy a striking bag or punch shield ($25-$50). If you can’t afford that, use some large, thick pillows. The idea is to give you a large area to aim at for strikes and kicks while keeping your partner safe. If your partner gets hurt, they won’t want to help you anymore. : )
Mama Bear Syndrome
I’ve taught hundreds of women how to protect themselves. Women, by their nature of nurturing others, often struggle with the idea of hurting another person. How do we help them get past that? I tell them to imagine that the kicking or punching bag is a man trying to hurt their children. It’s amazing how quickly the “Mama Bear” shows herself in those training situations. My purpose as an instructor is not to teach people how to hurt others, but how to protect themselves and people they love. If the choice is between the attacker or the victim getting hurt, I’ll go with the attacker every time.
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I am here to help you, so please share your comments, concerns, and questions about self defense. Even though I’m emphasizing “Women’s” self defense, the principles and techniques I’ll share are just as applicable for boys and men.
You can be attacked anywhere, at anytime, by anyone. Be ready.
