Definition: Fighting Arc – is the peripheral zone of an aggressor to utilise physical and verbal attack i.e. spitting, threats, striking.

Being within the aggressors fighting arch promotes the continuance of confrontation, which draws potential harm to you as the victim and may directly escalate the situation into an assault.

When you are at a personal distance within the fighting arc, you challenge the aggressor’s space and pride, which directs focus towards you. This minimises the chance for the aggressor to divert their tension or anger from the situation.

If positioned within the aggressors fighting arch you should place yourself at a reactionary gap of approximately one to two metres. Being too close to the aggressor minimises your peripheral vision, picking up on potential threats of a weapon and potential attack. At a distance greater then two metres, the aggressor is able to generate too much momentum within their attack and allows for the aggressor to broaden their peripheral zone. This provides the aggressor a larger area to scan, picking up on potential weapons and to signal near by friends. At a greater distance both you and the aggressor will naturally increase the volume of your voice that will indirectly minimise the chance to deescalate the situation and aides in escalating the confrontation.

To minimise on a surprise attack from the aggressor you should position yourself where you or the aggressor can take one step to advance, in making your defence or their attack. It is better to position yourself in an angled stance allowing you to reduce body targets. This also allows the aggressor to have another option other than attack and that is, exit the situation. Instead of being forced or focused at directing their physical or verbal aggression towards you. Most importantly, it presents an opening for a third person to enter into the situation that may be better equipped at deescalating the confrontation.

Ensure you use open body language when negotiating the verbal confrontation and not closed body language that goes against what you’re trying to say. For example, folded arms, hand in pockets, hands on hips and clenched fists. Most people will attempt to say words to deescalate the situation but involuntary send poor body language that instead escalates the situation. When negotiating, ensure you use a control neutral voice, with words that are simple and clear.

The aggressor may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, have a hearing problem or not understand you due to a language barrier. Monitor your tone, pitch and volume when talking. When placed in a potential assault you will have an increased amount of adrenaline that will affect your speech and body language, sometimes working against you especially when you’re trying to withdraw from the situation. To help you control this adrenaline, you should use simple language and closed questioning and remember to breath, holding your breath will decrease your reaction time and creates tension. Tension in the muscles causes you to be slow in your reactions and affects your speach.

Allowing time for the aggressor to vent increases your chance to resolve the situation. If the aggressor believes that you are willing to listen you will have a better chance of success.

You may use a barrier such as a fence, table or if out side, a hedge to assist in the negotiation process. Ask the aggressor to move towards a certain area allowing both parties a chance to withdraw from the situation or not to feel as intimidated, reducing the potential for injury if an assault were to happen. This technique is often used within an interview, having the table angled to allow for both the interviewer and the interviewee to have an outlet if the discussion becomes heated. Legally this shows to others that you have attempted to withdraw or negotiate within the situation if an assault has taken place.

Simple language and closed questioning can be related to gross motor techniques, used when you or the aggressor is under pressure, when the aggressor has vented use open questioning that can be related to fine motor techniques. This is where you can use an active voice i.e. “I understand you have a concern”, “I spilt your drink, I am to blame, let me buy you another”. Outside of the aggressors fighting arch reduces the possibilities of attack and increases your body safety.

This may be achieved by using techniques such as elbow control within a handshake or a gentle directive guide in elbow control to move to the out side of the aggressors fighting arc. If a physical confrontation commences use deflecting or redirection techniques to move outside of the aggressors line of attack. This will reduce the potential for the aggressor to continue the fight and injury between both parties.

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