DAAB: Defense Against Aggressive Behavior
Self-defense is for everyone, regardless of age or athletic ability. Our women’s self-defense class can be valuable for reasons that go beyond learning how to fight in a regular class. Our DAAB course focuses on realistic situations, simple techniques, and getting away safely rather than encouraging people to seek physical confrontation. The focus is on Fear, Adrenaline and Stress Training.
Simply put a basic our self-defense course for woman can be useful, as the goal isn't to turn someone into a fighter—it's to build practical skills and confidence before they're needed, if the need should arise.
What we cover:
Learn how to recognize danger early. Awareness and identifying potentially unsafe situations that can help someone avoid a confrontation altogether.
Practice decision-making: Participants work on recognizing danger, creating distance, escaping, and choosing when to disengage.
Improving situational awareness. Participants practice paying attention to exits, surroundings, and potential hazards.
Developing an escape mindset. The objective of self-defense is generally to get to safety—not to win a fight, its not a competition.
Practicing verbal boundaries: Participants rehearse commands such as “Back off!” or “Leave me alone!” while dealing with simulated pressure.
Building confidence under pressure. Building stress tolerance by controlled exposure to an aggressive-looking person helps participants practice staying functional rather than freezing.
Learning simple, practical techniques. Basics teach ways to create distance, break away from common grabs, and escape.
Gaining confidence through preparation. Knowing what to do can reduce the feeling of being helpless if something goes wrong.
Learning control: Successfully handling a controlled scenario can make Individuals feel more prepared for an emergency.
Peace of mind: Knowing you have practiced various options can reduce anxiety about situations you might otherwise worry about.
Defense Class 101
Or the basics of the DAAB (Defense against aggressive behavior) class…
Minimize likelihood of attack - Maximize opportunities for resistance and escape - Avoidance of your having to take more drastic measures.
Observe – What we see –Visual awareness
Orient – What it means
Decide – Accurate options- Take them
Act – Effectively carry out action – Overwhelm with verbal and strikes
A-B-C – Alert-Beware-Caution
Always stay alert. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are. Think about possible escape routes in case of a confrontation.
Take notice of who is ahead of you and who is behind you. Know where the nearest public sites are with some general activity - there is usually safety in numbers.
When in doubt, follow your intuition and avoid potential trouble.
If something seems suspicious, do not panic, but head in a different direction.
Steer clear of parked cars, bushes, dark areas at night.
Walk or run against traffic so that you can observe the approach of automobiles.
If the same car cruises past you more than once, take down even a partial license number and make it obvious that you are aware of its presence (but keep your distance).Try to get a partner. (Force Multipliers - teammates)
Chances of being attacked in a group are almost ZERO. Chances of being attacked with any partner, regardless of size, are decreased by 90% or more.
A dog is also a huge factor in reducing the number of attacks.
YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM.
Make it clear with body language and awareness that you are not an easy target.
Do not wear a radio/headset/earphone or anything that distracts you so that you are completely aware of your environment.
If someone can get within arm’s reach of you without detection, the battle may already be lost.
Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and lonely trails - and especially avoid unlighted routes at night.
Odds of being attacked are tremendously diminished in areas where there is likely to be a witness or any kind of traffic.
If you have go out for a walk or run, it is far better to do so before sunrise than after sunset. Far fewer crimes are committed between 5-7 am than late at night.
Stick to familiar areas, note the location of homes which are easily accessible and that you might trust along your route.
Know where police are usually to be found and where businesses, stores, offices are likely to be open and active.
In the morning, many of the dry cleaners may be open, in addition to grocery stores. Late in the evening, perhaps Taco Bell is a good emergency stop.
Consider taking a noisemaker, wear bright, reflective clothing
Anything that might attract attention to you if you are attacked is to your advantage. Leave word with someone or write down where you plan to go and when you will return.
Carry ID with you at all times.
Take a cell phone with you.
Some attackers plan their attacks (Serial), some react to an opportunity (Robbers/Burglars). By varying your route, you have reduced your number of potential attackers
Survival fighting still isn’t fun!
Breathing is a focus point for controlling emotion. Use it when you need it.
ADRENAL RESPONSE – FEAR PARALYSIS.
Mentally assess attacker’s strengths and weaknesses. Who is this - are these guys?
Mentally assess environment for Weapons, Shields, and Space.
Begin planning immediately – good daydreams.
Physical Tools
Decision … I will do what it takes to escape (proper mental attitude)! I will survive.
You are not seeking a fight you are seeking an escape.
Look for release first and stun the attacker and run.
You MUST be willing to escalate physical attack, the timing of your attack/counterattack may be as important as what techniques you use.
Body responses under extreme adrenal rush (Panic) – FEAR PARALISIS.
Accept pain as the price of survival. Pain vs. injury of your attacker.
The “Michael Myers” (Halloween movie) effect. Just because he is down doesn’t mean he is out! GET AWAY!
SCARY STATISTICS:
1 in 3 women will be assaulted in their lifetime.
80% of the women knew their attacker.
Sexual violence dramatically under-reported.
Escapes and Acquaintances
80% of sexual assaults are by people you know. Relatives - friends – friends of friends – co-workers. It is permissible to use whatever force is required to stop this, the attack! Acquaintance or stranger!
Who can you trust?
YOU just never know …
Groups again are safer
Trust your warning senses
Drinks are a danger
Drinking is a danger
Drugs are a danger
Wrong set of friends?
Recent Example: “Nancy Halloway”
THE PREDATOR SUIT
Using a predator/attack simulation suit (a padded suit worn by our instructors to safely simulate an attacker) is a useful tool in our women’s self-defense class because it makes practice more realistic while avoiding injury to our participants.
Learn what actually works: Our padded attacker provides realistic resistance and movement, revealing techniques that are difficult to apply outside a classroom.
Experience realistic pressure: Techniques practiced cooperatively can feel very different when someone is moving toward you aggressively.
Understand adrenaline and stress. Training under realistic but controlled conditions can make an unexpected situation feel less unfamiliar.
A good program DOES not use a predator suit simply to frighten women or encourage them to "fight the attacker." The goal should be escape and safety, with scenarios introduced gradually, clear consent, protective equipment, and the ability to stop at any time.
Happy Statistic: A good 95% of those who have had training successfully defend themselves!
The biggest benefit isn't becoming someone who can "win" a fight. It's becoming harder to intimidate, more aware of your options, and better prepared to get yourself to safety.
