Top 10 Things to Know About: Physical Empowerment and Self-Defense

On Thursday, October 29, the American Booksellers Association presented the final session in the webinar series “The Top 10 Things to Know About…,” called “Non-Violent Communication & De-escalation Companion Workshop: Physical Empowerment Self-Defense 101.”

The session, presented in partnership with the Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE), offered a basic self-defense workshop through a trauma-informed lens to provide practical ways to respond to the spectrum of violence, from footwork and blocks to active shooter tips.

A recording of this session can be found here. The password is: CAE2020! With the same password, booksellers can access the recording of the related session, “Non-violent Communication and De-escalation Workshop.” Both session recordings will expire at 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, November 13.

Here are the top 10 tips to keep in mind:

1. Self-defense is anything and everything you must do to keep yourself safe. The focus is on survival and getting out of a dangerous situation, not winning.
2. Evaluate your situation using the following levels of danger/threat: green = safe; yellow = unwanted attention or physical contact; orange = aggression; red = life-threatening circumstances.
3. Define those levels of danger for yourself and match the level of aggression with the technique you choose to use.
4. Begin self-defense by focusing on your stance. Keep more than one arm length of distance between you and your aggressor. Keep one shoulder ahead of the other at a 45-degree angle, with one foot slightly back. Keep your hands up with your palms open.
5. Remember to protect your head in all dangerous situations. Use a roof block or an elbow block if your aggressor strikes.
6. Focus on primary targets when defending yourself: aim for the eyes, nose, throat, and knees.
7. Use the following basic strikes for self-defense: palm heel strike, back elbow strike, front kick, and foot stomp.
8. In an active shooter situation, decide whether you will run, hide, or fight. Fight as a last resort. When it is safe to do so, call 911.
9. Take advantage of the situation you’re in to improvise weapons or shields out of everyday objects.
10. After dangerous situations, be sure to wind down and take care of yourself.

Here is a more in-depth recap of the session:

• CAE defines self-defense as anything and everything we do to keep ourselves safe. The focus is on survival, not winning. The goals are de-escalating and getting out of a dangerous situation.
• These are the levels of danger/threat:
  • Green = safe
  • Yellow = unwanted attention and/or physical contact
  • Orange = aggression
  • Red = life-threatening circumstances
• It’s important to define those levels of danger for yourself. Match the level of aggression with the techniques you choose to use. Prioritize de-escalation when possible.
• Begin self-defense by thinking about your stance. If you notice someone you’re in a confrontation with getting close to the orange zone, consider the following:
  • Maintain distance: Keep more than one arm length distance away from the aggressor.
  • Body position: Keep one shoulder ahead of the other at a 45-degree angle, with one foot slightly back.
  • Hands: Keep your hands up with open palms to convey de-escalation (a closed fist conveys “I’m going to strike”).
• Protect your head above all else in dangerous situations. To protect your head, use a roof block. A demonstration of this can be found at 17:42 in the recording. You can also use an elbow block. See a demonstration at 20:00 in the recording.
• There are four primary targets to keep in mind when defending yourself in life-threatening situations. They are: eyes, nose, throat, and knees. These targets do not rely on pain — instead, they hinder mobility and damage bodily functions such as sight and breathing.
• There are basic strikes you can use for self-defense; demonstrations can be viewed from 36:00 in the recording. These include: palm heel strike, back elbow strike, front kick, and foot stomp.
• In an active shooter situation, there are three ways to respond: run, hide, or fight. Call 911 when it is safe to do so.
• Sometimes it isn’t possible to run, but if it is, escape without worrying about your belongings. Have an escape route/plan in mind, and warn others against entering the active shooter area. If possible, help others escape.
• If you’re unable to escape, hide. Act quickly and quietly, and remain calm. Close the blinds, turn off the lights and electronics, and silence cell phones. Hide behind large items that may provide additional protection. Face computer monitors away from the windows, as a shooter can see where you’re hiding in the reflection. Do not leave until instructed by first responders on the scene.
• Only fight as a last resort. Act with physical aggression to incapacitate the shooter. Commit to your actions fully and aim for the shooter’s primary targets (eyes, nose, throat, or knees). If you’re with others, work as a team. Throw items and improvise weapons.
• Take advantage of the situation you’re in to improvise weapons and shields out of everyday objects.
• After dangerous situations, be sure to wind down and take care of yourself.