Which is More Important, Technique or Mindset?

Security [Self Defense] is a Mindset Part II

When people ask which is more important, mindset or technique I have to say neither.  Why? Because to agree with that flawed premise is simply playing games with semantics.  In my view, personal security and effective self defense is both mental and physical.  Mental floss arguments and stimulating discussions may satisfy some deep seated need for cerebral exercise, but when punches or bullets fly, the real priorities emerge and the mind and body are not mutually exclusive.  In fact, I would argue that how well the two are integrated will influence much of the outcome.

Feet to the fire in this hypothetical exercise of the imagination I would side with mindset.  I choose mindset because prisons around the world are filled with criminals who effectively used violence without training, knowledge or special ability.  Intent (mindset), opportunity and simple human ability were all that was needed.  

"...prisons around the world are filled with criminals 

who effectively used violence without training."

For my security teams I look for individuals with the right attitude and mindset.  With that, we can equip them with the tools and techniques needed to excel at the job.  Ultimately, the mind controls the body.

Take for example Rhonda.  She is a forty something Mom with a sweet and nurturing disposition.  In two bodyguard schools I saw the other participants, mostly men with security, law enforcement and military backgrounds, presume to be able to assess her ability.  They patronized her constantly even going as far as to repeatedly ask her if she wanted to opt of some of the more intense simunitions and scenario training. 

Proud Martial Arts instructor, I sat back quietly with a smirk on my face knowing what was to come from this unassuming Black Belt.  She outperformed most all of them (even the guys bragging about protecting the President) and graduated at the top of her class.  Her client lived – theirs didn't.  It's hard to argue with results. 

Fluke?  Not at all.   It was mindset coupled with conditioning.  She has great judgment under stress and had the courage and wisdom to get experience in stress training.  Never judge a book by its cover.    Black Belt Bodyguard Rhonda went on to help me create the Hit Like a Girl home and office parties self defense personal security training.  

For these reasons as well as those in the previous blog article, I advocate great teachers, scenario based and stress inoculation training, problem solving and decision point exercises.   Merge that with creating a team culture that supports the mission and you have a winning formula.   A winning mindset is making a choice to accept responsibility for how the world works.

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NTS provides on or off site training.  Unique Security Services and Self Defense Training nationwide including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Phoenix Arizona areas.

In cooperation with: John Nottingham's USA Martial Arts Scottsdale PV Phoenix, Nottingham Sword&Shield; Security and Hit Like a Girl Self Defense Personal Security Training

http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecuritycom     
 http://ScottsdaleBodyguard.com    
 http://USA-MartialArts.com   
 http://ScottsdaleKarate.com  
 http://JohnNottingham.com  
JKD Concepts PFS Progressive Fighting Systems "Filthy MMA" http://fighting.net/johnn

Author 

John Nottingham, EPS is a graduate of Bodyguard Training International / USA Bodyguards.  He was trained at Gavin De Becker Academy for Protectors and in Advanced Threat Assessment and Management.  A Sixth Degree multiple Black Belt holder he served in a Special Forces Airborne reserve unit as a Military Intelligence Analyst.  He is the founder of Nottingham Training Systems, Nottingham Security and the USA Martial Arts chain of schools. 

The Firm

NTS Nottingham Training Systems is a public and private sector consulting and training firm specializing in developing mission specific solutions for first responders, law enforcement, military, security and civilians.

Nottingham Sword&Shield Security is the Protective Division of LCI Inc. which provides security strategies and solutions to public and private clientele.   Nottingham Security serves and advises media figures, corporations, government agencies, police departments, universities, and at risk persons of situations that might escalate to violence.  Nottingham Security's capabilities include: individual, executive, family, children, event and mobile high and low profile protective services

Do You Have This Potentially Life Saving Self Defense Tool this Valentines Day?

Got your cell phone handy? Here is a FREE women's self-defense tip great for everyone.  Give the gift of security to your sweetheart on Valentine's Day.

Take a moment right now to put "ICE" by the names of the people you'd want called in case of emergency.

That's what "ICE" stands for — "in case of emergency."

The point is to let emergency responders (Police/Fire/Medical) check your cell phone and reach the people you would want contacted if you're in an accident or other emergency.

For example "ICE Dad", "ICE Mom", or "ICE Kyle". You get the idea.

Take a few moments right now to "ICE" your phone. It may save your life or that of a loved one some day.

Want to learn more?  Get a personal security/self defense safety guide FREE.  Visit our site listed below for your FREE Women's Self-Defense tips, tricks and moves.

Nottingham, a 6th Degree Black Belt and trained bodyguard and his security staff offer professional instruction, seminars, speaking and home or office parties for people or companies at his Scottsdale Paradise Valley Phoenix Martial Arts Academy.  Nottingham says, "Unwarranted fear isn't healthy or helpful.   On the contrary, it distracts you from what is really important.  We'll teach you about that and provide you with a complimentary guide." Individuals can get the guide by emailing Nottingham Sword and Shield Security at info@usa-martialarts.com. 

Ask about our Hit Like a Girl Self Defense Personal Security home or office parties, lectures and clinics on personal security.  Guaranteed to have you rethink everything you know about self-defense, women's self defense and personal protection.  Hit like a Girl teaches Bodyguard strategies for protecting yourself at home, the workplace and your children.     

On or off site training.  Unique Self Defense Training nationwide including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Phoenix Arizona areas.

In cooperation with: John Nottingham's USA Martial Arts Scottsdale PV Phoenix, Nottingham Sword & Shield Security and Hit Like a Girl Self Defense Personal Security Training

http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecuritycom     
 http://ScottsdaleBodyguard.com    
 http://USA-MartialArts.com   
 http://ScottsdaleKarate.com  
 http://JohnNottingham.com  

Author 

John Nottingham, EPS is a graduate of Bodyguard Training International / USA Bodyguards.  He was trained at Gavin De Becker Academy for Protectors and in Advanced Threat Assessment and Management.  A Sixth Degree multiple Black Belt holder he served in a Special Forces Airborne reserve unit as a Military Intelligence Analyst.  He is the founder of Nottingham Training Systems, Nottingham Security and the USA Martial Arts chain of schools. 

The Firm

NTS Nottingham Training Systems is a public and private sector consulting and training firm specializing in developing mission specific solutions for first responders, law enforcement, military, security and civilians.

Nottingham Sword&Shield Security is the Protective Division of LCI Inc. which provides security strategies and solutions to public and private clientele.   Nottingham Security serves and advises media figures, corporations, government agencies, police departments, universities, and at risk persons of situations that might escalate to violence.  Nottingham Security's capabilities include: individual, executive, family, children, event and mobile high and low profile protective services.

Nottingham Sword & Shield Security

Nottingham Sword & Shield Security

____________________________________________

ScottsdaleBodyguards.com ScottsdaleExecutiveProtection.com

Security, Self Defense and Personal Protection Training

Personal Protection. Security Beyond Basic Self Defense

Safety and Attack Prevention Planning for your Lifestyle and Peace of Mind

Below is a summary of the physical, mental, tactical and legal skills taught in the NTS courses curriculum. NTS training programs are mission/context specific and customized to client's needs.

Physical:

Principles of structure/base, range, power generation and movement

• Why self defense is not fighting or hand to hand combat
• Fundamentals of footwork, angles, positioning and built-in defense
• Fighting ranges: kicking, striking, in-fighting, grappling
• Principles of takedowns and throws
• Principles from martial arts: Juijutsu, Brazilian Jiu-jutsu (BJJ), Ninjutsu, Jeet-kune-do, Wing-chun Kung-fu
• Critical lessons from history, war and battle strategists that can save your life
• Applications of military hand to hand combat hybrids: Krav Maga, Kapap, LINE, Army CQB (close quarters battle)
• The Role of Joint manipulation and joint locking for personal defense
• Releases and restraints for less dangerous situations
• Counters&Defenses; against common attacks
• Dealing with the sucker puncher
• Dealing with the criminal predator
• Ground survival: holding out on the ground, dealing with the grappler or wrestler
• Dominating offense: take away the attacker's ability to fight
• Great equalizers: when you need to negate size and strength
• Scenario-based training and force-on-force resistance and aliveness drills
• Adrenal stress conditioning: train for abnormal physiological state
• Beating "freeze response" and panic with fear management techniques
• Surviving, countering and/or disarming attacks with edged and impact weapons
• Surviving, countering and/or disarming against guns and other firearms
• Surviving multiple attacker situations and gang-style attacks
• Disarming weapons such as a knife, gun, or club
• Off hand tools: Using improvised weapons of opportunity and circumstance

Mental:

• Understanding violence, self-defense, rights and responsibilities
• The role of intuition "Gift of Fear" and your premonition of danger survival intelligence
• Awareness to alertness / Presence of Mind
• Ethical, moral, social self-defense
• Effective boundary development how to completely eliminate indecision
• Force vs. violence, assertiveness vs. aggression
• Inside the criminals mind, criminology 101
• overview
• How attackers operate – know your enemy
• Adrenal stress conditioning: having fear work for you
• Effective verbal defense and de-escalation
• Bodyguard skill of target hardening: become a hard target in any interaction

Tactical:

• Understanding awareness: yellow, orange, red threat zones
• Understanding context: yellow, orange and red responses
• Realistic threat assessment for your lifestyle
• Street smarts: dangerous places, dangerous people and situations
• Foreseeing / foretelling violence
• How to fail a criminal's interview
• The right habits for self-defense
• Home security and defense
• Car/auto/vehicle security
• Workplace security
• Security for traveling
• Safer habits and choices

Legal:

• Legal use of force for civilians
• Legal requirements for successful self-defense – scenarios
• Self-defense vs. fight vs. assault vs. combat
• How to avoid criminal charges
• How to avoid civil charges
• Arresting officer's perspective
• Third party protection
• Home/office protection

http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecuritycom
http://ScottsdaleBodyguard.com
http://USA-MartialArts.com

http://ParadiseValleyMartialArts.com
http://ScottsdaleKarate.com
http://JohnNottingham.com

Author

John Nottingham, EPS is a graduate of Bodyguard Training International / USA Bodyguards. He was trained at Gavin De Becker Academy for Protectors and in Advanced Threat Assessment and Management. A Sixth Degree multiple Black Belt holder, he served in a Special Forces Airborne reserve unit as a Military Intelligence Analyst. He is the founder of Nottingham Training Systems, Nottingham Security and the USA Martial Arts chain of schools.

The Firm

NTS Nottingham Training Systems is a public and private sector consulting and training firm specializing in developing mission specific solutions for first responders, law enforcement, military, security and civilians.

Nottingham Sword&Shield Security is the Protective Division of LCI Inc. which provides security strategies and solutions to public and private clientele. Nottingham Security serves and advises media figures, corporations, government agencies, police departments, universities, and at risk persons of situations that might escalate to violence. Nottingham Security's capabilities include: individual, executive, family, children, event and mobile high and low profile protective services.