Decoding the Best Self-Defence Technique for Public Spaces
Within martial arts and self-defence circles, everybody loves specialized techniques. We’re often drawn to flashy moves and unconventional strikes that promise to guarantee our safety in precarious situations. But if one takes a closer look at Icy Mike’s video titled “The Best Self Defense Technique for Parking Lots and Public Places” on the Hard2Hurt YouTube channel, a compelling narrative about effective, realistic self-defence unravels. Mike debunked the overstated allure of intricate defence techniques, with a simple, yet crucial, advice: The best defence technique is the one that keeps you furthest from harm. In the entertaining 11-minute video, he illustrates how the power of evasion is better than confrontation. According to him, this technique works “almost all the time”, even if your opponent is stronger, bigger, and more experienced at fighting than you. The Crux of the Technique: “Oops, I Forgot Something” The key to this self-defence strategy? Deception. Mike focuses primarily on sketchy parking lots, explaining that these are common places where people feel most vulnerable. His technique, simply called “Oh, I forgot something,” leverages the potency of avoiding and diffusing potential threats rather than confronting them. The move is so simple that you might not even think of it as a ‘technique.’ As you’re walking, you suddenly stop, expressing a moment of realization. “Oh, I forgot something,” you say. This sudden shift in your behaviour is meant to distract. To further lend credence to your ‘forgotten item,’ you can accompany it with a movement like checking your wristwatch or scrolling through your phone. In reality, you’re trying to pull yourself out of a potentially dangerous situation subtly, without attracting unnecessary attention or provoking confrontation. The Role of Intuition Mike stresses trusting your intuition. If you feel uneasy in a situation or suspect someone is a threat, your first instinct should be to remove yourself from that place, even if you’re not certain. Icy Mike’s rationale is simple: You don’t have to wait to verify your instincts. It’s better to feel a momentary pang of embarrassment for misjudging a situation than to put your safety at risk. Mike’s video serves as a valuable reminder that the essence of martial arts and self-defence isn’t about confronting or overpowering an opponent, but preserving your safety. Although martial arts provides a platform for physical combat and conditioning, its greatest gift to practitioners is the ability to understand conflict and how to navigate it most efficiently. Avoiding Confrontation His method challenges the commonly held belief of maintaining direct eye contact with potential threats, emphasizing how such actions could exacerbate a situation. Not all circumstances require a brazen assertion of dominance or visible strength. At times, veiled actions like Mike’s “Oh, I forgot something” can be far more beneficial. Ultimately, the technique underscores the importance of personal safety and prevention. If a situation can be defused without direct contact, resulting in a secure escape, then that’s the most effective self-defence technique there is. While being tough might sound appealing in theory, prudence goes a long way. In the real world, a strong ego could drive you towards unnecessary risks, compromising your safety in the process. So, embracing practical strategies like Icy Mike’s can make the difference between a peaceful return home and a reckless encounter. Bear in mind though, one size doesn’t fit all in self-defence and situational awareness – every scenario calls for different responses. However, when it comes to preserving your safety in public spaces, evasion often trumps confrontation. Icy Mike’s technique gives us an accessible tool in our self-defence arsenal, promoting a smart and practical approach to safety. After all, in the words of Mike himself, “You don’t actually have to come back”, because your ultimate goal is to ensure your safety, not to validate your suspicions or assert dominance.Blablabla
Hard2Hurt is a notable YouTube channel managed by Icy Mike. Focused on self-defense and fitness, Mike uses his professional fighting experience to produce insightful and practical content. His videos range from tactical tutorials to equipment reviews, all designed to help viewers learn to protect themselves and stay physically fit.
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Check out Smith and Bradley's complete line of watches at http://www.hard2hurt.com/smithandbradley
Thanks god bless
I like this guy. Good advice.
That's why I walk around with my fly open drinking redbull with sunglasses at night… works every time.
I don't do this for effect.. it's just what I like to do.🤫
I keep it simple…
You don't bother me..
I won't bother you.
I am a black belt in karate. I think this is the best advice I have seen to date.
Intuition is essential to act on
My wife had a bad habit of holding the change from a purchase as she left the store. Thankfully, I was in the parking lot during the one time a young guy had bad intentions.
Carry a back up gun,available anywhere in America. When I walk out of a store I stop and scan the parking lot,especially near my vehicle. Anyone there sees me doing that and moves away,fast. They know they have been spotted.
I watch a lot of true crime, and I can tell you, Wal-Mart parking lots are NOTORIOUS for women being abducted. And other parking lots as well, but WM is the setting so many times. I've always said that if someone held a gun or knife to me, shoved me in a car and told me to drive off, I would drive at high speed straight into the front doors of the store. No MF is getting me away to another location. I'd rather die trying to save myself than to be raped and murdered. And by the way, people living in their cars are generally as safe as anyone else.
Most women have nothing to worry about….they're so stronk and independent…and can take out 50 bad guys at a time. They're lucky.
Freaking smart. No confrontation is the best confrontation!
Everyone, anyone can do this.
Bro… stop! 00:00:54 in and you asked “Where, is there a sketchiest parking lot?” Before you panned over to the Wal Mart sign, I thought to myself, “Wal Mart” 🤣🤣🤣
So bottom line is …go back in the store.
Another great one for walking the street is: walking street, sketchy guy following, go to random house, knock on door like its normal, tell them what happened and pretend you know them, go inside, sketchy guy leaves, you leave, say thabk you to very kind stranger. Even if you dont want to go inside a strangers house just stand at the door and talk to them like you know eachother until the weird guy leaves. Most people will help you with shit like this because weve all been there or at least know someonr who has.
Sad we hsve to…getting worse…
Wow! This is GOOD STUFF! Deff. gonna share this with lots of ppl!!!!
It's like I tell all my students: "The best block is to NOT be there!"
LOVE THIS VIDEO!
I'm impressed! Really good, practical common sense advise. Great job!
Great info.
Yes 🙌
Group (3+) exercise walks are becoming more popular.
Another good one is to always drive through or back in when entering your chosen parking spot.
That title isn’t a very nice way to describe urself……nonetheless, I just profile, served me well so far…..
This is fantastic.
No one is immune to being harassed in a parking lot. It’s happened to me, and I’m 6’1 and 290lbs with a power lifting build. Homeless drug addicts aggressively panhandling. They tried me the same way they tried women and elderly. I did scare them off when I told them the only thing they were getting was their ass kicked. It’s best to avoid them, but sometimes we have no choice when they aggressively approach us.
Great tips and advice, Mike.
Only in America… Unfortunately, not anymore. The weirdos are almost everywhere these days. Thank you America.