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Jun 20 2007, 10:38 PM EDT SenseiSam 2 words added, 2 words deleted
Jun 20 2007, 10:35 PM EDT SenseiSam 117 words added, 2 words deleted

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Stairway Strategy and Self Defence Principles - Aussie Jujitsu

Introduction

The situation is when two
attackers have pinned you in on a stairwell one above and the other below, theythey may be static in motion, making threats or actively advancing to attack you.

Positioning

When the attackers are in a static position, it is important to maintain at an equal distance, ensuring you do not make sudden movements that will draw attack. This allows substantial time to conduct a threat assessment and to align possible targets. When the attackers have commenced their advancement, rapidly move toward the closest attacker or the attacker closest to the exit point. Distancing yourself from one of the attackers will provide you with an increased reactionary gap allowing you more time to immobilise the first of the attackers. The first step you should undertake is to create a good stable base, by positioning yourself against the handrail closest to the wall. This will provide you with an anchor point increasing balance to create power when delivering a kick. The rail against the wall will reduce the possibility of being bent over or thrown over the open rail. The wall rail also provides you with the best observation angle and another means of reducing the amount of attack angles the attackers may advance from. The position you have created also uses the “middle stair attack principle”. This is when you have positioned yourself against the wall handrail and the attacker has to leave their stable position (handrail or level surface) to now move towards you. The attackers are now vulnerable to attack, by opening target areas when they walk and increases the chance to loose their balance, inturn affecting the power and reaction time of their attack.

Forcing the Resolve and Movement

If the two attackers are static and you believe that they have made real threats for your safety or life, you will need to force the resolve of the situation making the first attack. You may need to move one way or another to first resolve the situation before moving to your desired exit point. It is an advantage to move toward the lower attacker due to the speed you can generate and the ability to use the momentum of your own body weight in the attack. If you have decided to undertake this option you must move in a sideways manner against the rail, maintaining your stability and observation of the situation. Using the rail will also provide you with a method of stopping if you have accelerated too much in your advancement. Ensure you have balance when defending yourself, stop motion when being attacked until you resolve the initial attack.

Attackers Strategy

The attacker’s strategy from a high position is to kick or bend down to you for a grab or punch. A reminder is that this attacker can use their advancement to quickly move downward. The attacker from a lower position has their strategy of grabbing or punching you to the lower section of your body, in doing so will try to bring you down leading to punch or kick. They will do this by dragging or pulling you off balance when you kick or move towards them to quickly.

Targets and Method of Application

Your strategy is much the same as the two attackers, differing in the way you will place your self against the wall or rail. This principle will assist you in minimising the negative outcome that the attacker’s have. To counter the lower attacker you must aim at their knee with a sidekick holding onto the rail. For the higher attacker you must use the same dragging and pulling strategies as the “lower attacker”. If they kick you, you must block and hook their leg either levering them backward onto the stairs or to drag them forward to ground stabilise them. Targets for the higher attacker are the groin and leg creating them to lose their balance and collapse.

Use of Shield

The use of a shield is ideally achieved when you have taken control after you have immobilised the attacker, most affectively when one has taken a grip. Using one of the attackers in a shield will increase your chance of exiting the situation with minimal injury to you and the attackers. When the shield is taken ensure to move one step at a time in a sideward position against the rail, maintaining control limiting the possibility of a counter attack. Keep the attacker that has been taken in a shield in a lowered position omitting their ability to effectively use their legs for balance. Ensure the attacker within the shield is unable to exert downward pressure onto you. Doing so will slow you down and can reduce your balance and mobility. This would allow time for the second attackers to bridge the gap. Use your voice to communicate your intention to both attackers when using a shield for your withdrawal from the situation. If the second attacker continues their attack, drop the shield in their path to provide you with an increased reaction time to reposition yourself for the continued attack or to vacant the situation.

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