Mindset

[Jeremy]

Good points by Creighton and Chris.  Advoidance is always the best policy when it comes to a altercation.  Unfortunately it's not always possible.  It is because of adrenaline that realistic training is so vital.  In a self defense situation, once adrenal dump has occured, some more advanced brain functions such as critical thinking and problem solving will be impaired as well.  Your body will responde and react in the way that you have trained.  People who have been in serious altercations have the benefit of experience to see the beauty of what we do, working and drilling basic, high impact moves that don't rely heavily on timeing and hand-eye coordination, which are severly impaired when adrenaline is surging through the body.
Now that we've covered the negatives of adrenaline, this discuss some of the benefits.  The 2 greatest are increased strenth and supression of pain.  As those of you who train here at Burton's school have probably noticed ( hard to miss the large skin graf ) I was shot in the lower left leg when I was in the military.  At the time I didn't even know that I was hit, even though almost 2 inches of my tibia had blown out the inside of my calf.  It felt like a small calf cramp, and I did more damage to it by trying to plant on that leg than the bullit did.  
When are you coming back to class, Cr8.  I've been waiting for my chance to train with and learn from you!
Mahalo, Jeremy

[Jarlo Ilano]

I think I've had only one real "adrenalin dump" moment.

A few years ago when we in college in Tacoma.  We were at a drive thru at Taco Bell. (I know its nasty!  We were poor college kids!).  Earlier that month, there were a couple of hold-ups at that Taco Bell.  We even knew one guy who was there and had a gun stuck in his face!  So we had some sort of preparedness in the back of our minds.

My good friend and I were talking, and my window was down waiting to get our food.  So I was facing away.  All of a sudden we hear someone shouting "Give me your money motherf***!" And I feel something against my shoulder.  I remember my friend's eyes getting wide and looking around. (He later said he couldn't see behind me and was looking around to see if there was anybody on his side trying to ambush us).

From that point, all I remember was spinning around and pulling whoever was behind me into the car and rearing my hand back to punch.  Just at that moment I saw the person's face, I realized it was one of our friends messing with us.  I should have punched him anyway!  

Jeremy's description of the time delayed physiological reactions was what happened to me.  I initially felt very aware, but a minute after the "threat" was over, I could barely drive safely, and my heart was pounding out of my chest.  I was wide awake at 2 a.m.  I think it took half an hour or so to subside.

Sorry if that was a boring story, and it's definitely not getting shot.  But apparently even the immediate fear of getting shot was enough.

[Jeremy]

Definitely not boring, Jarlo.  I am very reluctant to bring up my incident because I wouldn't want anyone to mistake it for bragging.  It doesn't take any real skill to get shot, but if others can learn from my experience, then I can turn what was a pretty big negative into a positive.  I felt the time distortion thing as well, everything slowed way down.  Athletes in profesional sports ( football, basketball, hockey ect.) refer to this as well.  They usually say something like "the speed of the game slowed down" or "I was in the zone".  The movement of large muscle groups helps to dissipate and distribute the adrenaline dump so it's easier to handle.  
Mahalo, Jeremy

[Burton]

Unfortunately, I had a few gun incidents while living in Los Angeles.  I was calm during, rubber legged afterwards.  Interesting how the body reacts.   Aloha!

[Jim W.]

Burt, I'd be interested in your views on pre-emptive attacking. Most people who train have a tendency to wait to be attacked because we are philosophically opposed to initiating an assault. However, when the potential attacker is interviewing you, you too must be interviewing him and may want to get the jump on him for various reasons such as sensing that he's going to attack, multiple opponents, potential weapons play, etc.

Geoff Thompson's   The Fence has some good observations on this whole process.

[Burton]

Jim,
   I am all for the pre-emptive attack.  I think this is the ultimate in "intercepting".  If the probable attacker gives signs that he is about to attack, why wait?  I look at it like a gun confrontation.  When should a defender initiate an offensive barrage?   When the guy reaches for the gun, when he is pulling it out, when it is aimed, or when the bullet is already on the way?  Most martial arts systems' philosphy is to wait for the punch to be thrown.  That is the same as waiting for the bullet to leave the chamber of the gun.  If that guy is about to attack, intercept.

    For those of you who don't know, Jim W is highly accomplished in JKD.  It is a pleasure to have you here on the forum.   Aloha!

[Inirie]

But what if  the guy is only trying to intimidate you. Instead of talking your way out of a fight, now youve started a fight.

Can you really know the difference if one is trying to intimidate you and if one trully wants to fight during the 'interview process'?

Can any of you recomend a book  on this?

TY Reggie

[Burton]

That is something you have to feel for yourself.  Try to avoid the conflict, but if you feel that he is about to throw, throw first.

[Cr8]

Eh Reg!
     This is where the awareness comes into play.  Through my training I am aware of the ranges at which I am relatively safe in regards to my attackers body weapons like hands and feet, based on their build.  So If I recognize that the attacker is beyond my "switch line" they can talk all the shit they want.  If my "switch line" is crossed then I regard any aggression, be it verbal or otherwise, as a attack and I hit the switch!  That is why I believe that developing ones "switch line" in training is so important.  If you do not define your safe zone in training you will definately have serious problems in a street situation where ranges change instantly.  As I mature, I find my "switch line" getting tighter and tighter and my tolerance level rises as my confidence builds.  I also consider what is at stake in the conflict.  Want my wallet?  Take it.  I have already decided what is worth fighting for, so that I am not indecisive in the street.  

       In my experience the predator interview process usually allows the predator to draw within striking distance or to get to a position of advantage.  For example, he may stare from a distance to gauge your reaction.  If you pass this initial test he may use verbal attacks or questions to further close the distance or just walk at you to gauge your reaction.  If you pass this test he may attempt to get in striking distance by getting in your face or by asking the harmless question.  If he reaches this stage he most likely will attack.  I recognize that there are many variables to the street situation so I always reevaluate as the conflict progresses.  

Train true,
Creight

[Inirie]

Thats one to grow on.

Thank you all.

Reggie