Intent and context

Silly question?

It breaks the ice and gives me insight into the group, but it’s really about encouraging critical thinking.

Seriously, we may have a ‘mental’ list of people who have done us wrong, and whom we might like to introduce to a punch, but the answer is a hard NO.

How so? When dealing with verbal and physical threats, a punch may not always be the best response in managing conflict, consider :

First things first: the law. In many places, self-defence laws are pretty straightforward. You must genuinely believe you’re in immediate danger to justify your actions. If you respond with excessive force, you could face legal repercussions. Not cool.

Let’s talk about escalation. Responding physically can often escalate a situation rather than resolve it. Verbal communication or simply walking away can be far more effective in diffusing tension.

Taking a deep breath can help you calm down and think more clearly before you react.

Proportionality

So your response should be proportional to the threat( back to self-defence and the law). If the attacker poses a serious threat of harm, a punch or more might be justified.

Think about whether your reaction matches the situation.

Intent and context is the biggie for me.

Depending on the intent and context of the situation, hitting may not be appropriate for other reasons.

Ask yourself: Will I see this person again? Friend, work colleague or family. Does my job or relationship limit how I respond?

Good self-defence skills should include all safety aspects and focus on avoiding conflict whenever possible. While throwing a punch might be necessary in some cases, it’s important to think about the situation, the law, and what could happen next.

#theselfdefencecoach