Master Joseph Stricker is the owner and head instructor of Martial Arts Connection. He is one out of 24 outside of Japan to have a license from the ministry of Japan and 1 out of 15 in the US. He is also certified as a Sifu (teacher) from Hong Kong in Wing Chun Kung Fu. His certifying instructor is Ip Ching whose father is Ip Man — the trainer of Bruce Lee. He has also taught many law enforcement agencies and self defense classes throughout Michigan.
Self Defense 101 Part 2 – “The Decision”
Do exactly as you’re told and I won’t hurt you!
Don’t resist and you won’t get hurt!
Quit screaming or I’ll kill you!
You have a choice. You can continue to go through life doing nothing and hoping you never hear these words. Or you can prepare yourself and make the Decision to not be controlled – and instead, control the situation.
The fact is, if you are not prepared you put yourself in a vulnerable situation. When you are suddenly in an unexpected situation — whether you are looking down the barrel of a gun or grabbed and dragged into a car — and the criminal is yelling threatening orders, obeying may seem to be your only chance of survival. Remember, it takes mere seconds to feel the point of a knife, or to be grabbed and taken, and then frozen by fear.
Whatever happens after he grabs you depends on how prepared you are! Are you ready for a once-in-a- lifetime confrontation? Are you ready to do whatever it takes to survive? “Chance favors the prepared mind.”
Have you thought about or have you made a Decision on what you are willing to do? “Don’t Move!” seems like the way to escape injury. But in fact, blind obedience makes it easier for him to switch from a quick theft to violence against you. Unless you have made the Decision about how you will react ahead of time — and practiced — you could be frozen with fear and confusion.
The F.B.I. projects that 1 out of every 3 women will be raped some time in her life, and nearly 2 million people each year will be beaten, stabbed, shot, robbed, or killed. Remember, a violent crime happens every 22 seconds in the U.S., and only you can make the bad guy’s job hard. Unfortunately, there will always be some risk no matter who you are, where you live, or what you do. But being prepared will definitely help your chance of survival WHEN that violent crime happens. Remember, being prepared is not the same as being paranoid.
The Decision: Is your life worth fighting for, and are you willing to do whatever it takes? A Timid effort at resistance can lead to the angry criminal hurting you as punishment for your failed attempted to resist.
If you have any questions that you would like answered in this series, or if you would like a Self Defense class held in your area or work place please feel free to contact Master Joseph Stricker at 989-992-9007 or email him at [email protected]. “Stay Fit And Be Safe”
Positive self talk
“Have you made the Decision?”