Personal Self-Defense

To be candid, this topic could go all over the place.  If you do a standard Google Search, you will likely come up with a list of various weapons or advertisements for Martial Arts Programs.  On you Tube, you will find a WIDE variety of videos showing you techniques and ways to debilitate and hurt an aggressor trying to hurt you.  Although all of these things are factual and at times, pertinent, this page will be very generic and educational.  

Why?  Many students don't realize that there are stages of self defense.  The below list of the 5 stages of self-defense was taught to Mr. Corabi at Temple University as a "how to teach self-defense" subsection of the Physical Education program. 

The 5 Stages of Personal Self-Defense

THE BELOW STAGES COME FROM TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, Spring 1995 BUT also appear on this article http://www.functionalselfdefense.org/awareness-prevention 

1) Awareness

You need to be aware of your surroundings and environment at all times. This includes your eyes and ears "open" to everything going on around you.  Try not to be distracted by looking at your phone or keeping both ears plugged with earbuds so you can identify potential dangers and

2) Avoidance

For Self-Defense to be defense, you have a responsibility to yourself to try to avoid a situation that is dangerous.  Obviously, if you are being attacked, you will not be able to do this but sometimes, it may be as easy as crossing the street an extra block down or parking under lights rather than in darker spaces


3) Prevention

If you are approached, you should try to prevent it from escalating.  Examples would be if someone wants your wallet, toss it to the side or trying to talk yourself out of a situation.  


4) Physical Confrontation

This is where most of the google searches take you.  If you need to physically use force, USE IT.  Be vicious and aggressive BUT, use restraint.  You are not the attacker. You must do what you need to do to safely get away or restrain/disable the assailant so they can not harm you anymore  


5) Follow-Up

This is the most forgotten stage and one of the most crucial.  If you need to use FORCE to save yourself, you MUST follow up by making a Police Report and/or report at school etc.  THIS PROTECTS YOU from lies the assailant may make accusing you of being the attacker!


The 5 Stages of Violent Crime

Many Articles and Martial Arts /Self-Defense teachers will teach the 5 stages of Violent Crime rather than the 5 stages of self-defense above.  They are basically the same thing but worded differently.  THIS ARTICLE, posted by a Martial Arts Studio years ago,  is one of the most comprehensive sources of this and it's related explanations.  Basically, the 5 stages below are how violent attacks progress. NOTE, the first 3 stages can relate with avoidance and prevention from the stages above

1) Intent 

2) Interview 

3) Positioning 

4) Attack 

5) Reaction  


Do's and Don'ts for True Self-Defense

If you see signs of trouble, do the following:


Do not:




NOTE:  This is not the law or the rules of use of lethal force in self-defense which In Pennsylvania, follows the "Castle Doctrine"