Self Defense Rules with Peyton Quinn

Self-defense instructor and author Peyton Quinn has led the field in reality based self-defense training for many years. His books A Bouncer’s Guide To Barroom Brawling: Dealing with the Sucker Puncher, Streetfighting, and Ambusher and Real Fighting: Adrenaline Stress Conditioning Through Scenario-Based Training do an excellent job of conveying the realities of street fights, violence and the effects of adrenaline stress in these situations. His courses at RMCAT (Rocky Mountain Combat Applications Training) have helped thousands better understand the effects of adrenaline and how to use the stress to defend oneself.

At the 2013 annual Animal List BBQ, I had the opportunity to assist Peyton with a class he was teaching. We’ve taught these concepts before, and it was great to work together again.  Here is a clip from that live training. (Some language not appropriate for work or young viewers.)

The difference between passive, aggressive and assertive responses to violent approaches is such an important thing to learn. I especially like how Peyton emphasizes that only the assertive response is chosen by you and controlled by you. It is important to not only understand this, but to actually practice assertive responses so you can choose to respond this way and successfully de-escalate and avoid violence, and in the worst situations at least be ready to respond physically if you have no other choice.

Peyton Quinn’s Rules for Dealing with Stand-up Aggression

1. Don’t insult them

2. Don’t challenge them or accept their challenge

3. Give them an easy face-saving exit.

Peyton shares these self-defense rules in this video:

In A Bouncer’s Guide to Barroom Brawling: Dealing with the Sucker Puncher, Streetfighter, and Ambusher, Peyton Quinn also shares these Fundamental Elements of Avoidance Tactics:

1. Show No Fear. Communicate to the potential aggressor that you have no fear of him. This is best done nonverbally.
2. Project Confidence. This is similar to not showing fear but goes a little further. The objective is to make the guy realize that you are not afraid of him because you are entirely confident that if he attacks, he is the one who will get stomped.
3. Alert the Proprietor. This is really important. If you spot a potential ambush, identify somebody who is an employee of the establishment. Ideally, this will be the doorman or bouncer, but the bartender will suffice.
4. Give Your Potential Attacker an Honorable Escape. Don’t do anything that’s going to make the guy think “I have to swing on this bastard now; otherwise he/they/I (choose any of the above) will think I’m a pussy.” Give him a way out that does not humiliate him. Allow him to save face.

I strongly encourage you to visit RMCAT and learn more about Peyton Quinn’s books, DVDs, and live courses. If you can attend a class, you will be amazed at what it does for your ability to stay out of trouble and defend yourself if there are no other options.