Situational fighting

[Samurai Jack]

When I was a bouncer, my greatest fear was being attacked by some idiot taking a shot at me, or jumping me both from behind when I was pre-occupied dealing with his drunken moron buddy. What was effective for me was working in pairs with other bouncers when possible. I would think this would be somewhat similar for LEOs, to working with a partner then not. Oh, this was 20 years ago, just about the time when the standard method of operation for the guy and his buddies to wait out side for you with automatic weapons. This still happen, but it was rare with an automatic weapon and not the standard expectation as it is now in many places. The reason for quiting the profession.

Another example, is as a bouncer to avoid being jumped by a moron was to id the situation before it developed, then elimited the situation verbally. That is to say, spot the trouble maker, confront him or her with authority without being aggressive or threatening. For example, early on, by not pushing the button he or she wants you to push so they can go off on you, let them know you are aware of their intentions and they have no chance of making trouble. Exposing their intentions and they can succeed, and it is best to make trouble somewhere else. Letting them know there is no second chance if they make trouble, and it is in their best interest to go somewhere else where they have a better chance to succeed. This is before their second drink, before they get drunk and unreasonable. And, if possible, it is done with another bouncer standing behind you.

I learned that situational fighting, working smarter and not tougher, was the most effective as a bouncer. I have been in many conflicts where situational fighting resolved the conflict without going toe-to-toe, or applying muscle. It also made the conflict much easier to deal with then without using the idea of situational fighting. I think it is too late when you are at the point of having to physically deal with someone. You put your self at risk, the more you put yourself at risk (being in a phyiscal conflict) the more likely you will be sucker punched from behind, or shot as you leave the bar.

Agree?


Side Note: Working as a bouncer isn't like being in a dojo where everything is a practice, or in a ring where you have rules, a referee and judges, and if you are in danger of suffering serious injury will stop the fight and save your donkey, an opponent equal your weight, knowing you are only going to fight one opponent you have studied, and who will likely show good sportsmen like conduct, after the match, and if you win you walk away with a large pay day, and a over-size trophy.

[dirk.bruere]

I assume you're in the US?
So, what did you think of the Patrick Swayze movie "Roadhouse"?

Dirk

[Samurai Jack]

I assume you're in the US?
So, what did you think of the Patrick Swayze movie "Roadhouse"?

Dirk

No I didn't. Sorry am not sure what the movie reference could be, could you give me the gist of it. I don't watch too many movies.

Thanks.

[dirk.bruere]

No I didn't. Sorry am not sure what the movie reference could be, could you give me the gist of it. I don't watch too many movies.

Thanks.

It's quite good.
Swayze as a bouncer.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Road-House-Patrick-Swayze/dp/B00004CKG6

"but this one has to be admired, revered, even as it has everything that an entertaining film should have. no, it's not intellectual and the acting's crap and the storyline is in my opinion pretty much the same as every other action movie in existence, but it has a hero with elvis hair who is still cool(and a philosopher and karate expert who does his own stitches without anaestheic), a sexy love intrest with huge hair who also happens to be a doctor, an excellent baddie, dopey henchmen, a mean (though extremely pouffy) rival, a tough mentor, awesome music including tito and tarantula of dusk till dawn fame, bar fights and monster trucks running over cars in a showroom. it's as though the makers sat down and decided to compile every adolescent fantasy that they ever had an put them in a movie. highly enjoyable. "

Worth a look.

Dirk

[Samurai Jack]

Sounds like I missed a good one, luckily. My experience is limited, and I generalized to fit the sister thread that is now in another forum, Personal Protection Skills where there has been a good response. They get what I am saying, so I want to Chuck and John, so far. Situational fighting, to put it simply, not having a shot gun approach to all conflicts. My bouncer experience is on example of that. I have been in a bar in Mexicali, Baja California where a guy was shot in front of me (mouthing off and threatening the wrong person, possibly the owner or a regular-don't know exactly). Now this experience would be hard to use to discuss situational fighting. Since in those days it was justified to use deadly force, no cops came. They dragged the body, possibly the guy was still alive, out the back door very casually). The bars, in the US aren't the same, we deal with problems differently then in the Baja. My bouncing career ranged from dance clubs (my preference) to places where bouncers where shot and killed outside the bar after closing. There are bars far worse than that. For sake of the reader, in my post, I lumped my experiences together, and gave a related general solution. This is a better example for a situational fighting discussion- which was related to its sister post. I kept it general enough for people to share in their similar experiences, and thus discuss it.

I never thought about movies as example, it is a good idea. Thanks.

In situational fighting, you don't shoot who ever tics you off, or causes problems. You also have variables, in the situation. You have to evaluate the situation, the parties involved, their intent for violence, or troublemaking, space, weapon potential, and your safety, and who will exact revenge on you soon or later. You can't be a Clint Eastwood (Dirty Harry), John Wayne or Chuck Norris by kicking everyone's donkey in the bar. You don't know what people on liquid or powder courage will do when faced with a conflict like that in a bar, or other high conflict potential environment. I don't know what it is like in the UK; I hear people are more consistent there then in the US as far as street conflicts are concerned since the bombings stopped in London. The world comes to live here in the US. We have a wide variety of cultures and people form different countries and sub-cultures, who act and think, and react differently from each other. Now because of this the de-escalating of a potential violent situation is more difficult, then other places. The US is a place where situational fighting applies. As I see it, it is a must to consider.

The US isn't what you see in the movies. Just the other day on CNN a guy got into a gun fight at a convenience store, because he reached over the shoulder to the counter to grab his stuff from behind the attacker and accidentally nudge him. The guy apologized, but never-the-less was approached in his car by the attacker with a gun. The guy got out with his own gun and a fire fight ensued. Usually, you hear about gangs involved in this kind of thing. We have had a number of school shooting in the past month. I could go on with what made the Headline news. There are tons of stuff that doesn’t make the news. All of which relate to situational fighting, that is becoming a part of daily life here. The US is a dangerous place more and more as time goes on.

BTW, an off-the -cuff thought, Dirk, when talking about bad movies, plots etc. I prefer US movies no matter how bad they are, they are still better then what other countries movies I have seen. Bias, I am.

But seriously, I don't watch movies from other countries because am not a native and I miss all the subtle nuances, and inferances, accents, and hate reading subtitles, etc. Thus not getting all that is intended out of the movie. :)