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Defending Your Zone

Here’s A Scenario:

You and your wife are walking along a familiar street one night. Other couples pass by, and then, somehow, you two are alone…except for the shady-looking stranger looming ahead. You watch him approach, instinctively knowing that something is wrong, but disbelief stops you from acting. Suddenly, he’s in your face, brandishing a weapon and demanding something from you.

You can’t hear him because your mind is screaming, “This can’t be happening to me!” But it is, and all that locker room bravado with your buddies talking about what ass-kickers and name-takers you all are seems to drain from you right along with the blood from your extremities. Your stomach churns, your bowels loosen, and you want to run, but it’s too late. You and your loved one are at the mercy of your assailant.

Think This Can’t Happen To You? Don’t be so sure. Being caught off-guard and flat-footed can happen to the best of us at any time and literally in milliseconds. But there was a moment in the above scenario where you could have prevented all of this– the moment the attacker entered your Zone.

My Zone?

The Zone is an invisible perimeter that martial artists, fighters, and tactical instructors use to define the point at which an opponent becomes a threat. Various fighting systems address this concept differently. It’s been called everything from one’s “area of awareness” to one’s “tactical arena,” but the Zone is simply one’s personal space.

Getting too close or invading that space should provoke one of several responses depending on the degree of the threat. One question that inevitably arises is “how close is too close?” Marital artist and tactical instructor Scott Hollingsworth sums it up this way: “If someone’s close enough to dance with, they’re too damn close.”

The Colors of Danger

In an effort to be a little more specific, other fighting systems have envisioned several concentric rings of different colors to represent increasing degrees of danger.

The outermost ring is called the Green Zone and begins at a radius of 15 feet from your body (or up to 30 feet in areas of known danger) and extending, presumably, to infinity. This is considered a safe area. Anyone 15 feet or further from you is not an immediate threat.

Within the Green Zone is the Blue Zone, a ring located between five and fifteen feet from your body. This is an awareness zone. Anyone entering should be assessed as either a threat or non-threat.

The innermost ring is the Red Zone, representing the area that is within a five-foot radius from your body. The moment someone enters this zone in a threatening way, they must be dealt with quickly and decisively.

How To Pick Locks. (Who Needs Keys?)

You may find this shocking, but picking open a standard "tumbler" lock, (like the one on your front door), is pretty damn easy when you know how it's done.

And in a "meltdown" survival situation, (once the smash-n-grab crowd has stolen everything not tied-down), the food and water and secure shelter will all be behind locked doors, (which explains why Special Forces are often trained in lock picking... and why they carry a set of lock pics with them).

It's a lot of fun learning this skill, (it doesn't take long)... and kinda nice to help out that buddy locked out of his house after the wife discovered what really happened on that "no money down" real estate seminar in Vegas.

>> Check Out "Lock Picking Kit" Here. <<

The Purpose of the Zone System

The objective of any zone system is two-fold:

  • First, the Zone provides a circle of awareness around your body. Being aware of your opponent’s position relative to your own gives you time to assess your situation.
  • Second, the Zone eliminates indecision. If someone you perceive as a threat crosses your line, you react…period. You do not concern yourself with dilemmas of morality or legality. You issue a warning when someone approaches your Red Zone, and then simply react once they cross it.

Training

Making use of the Zone concept does not require long hours in a dojo or years to master, but it does require some preparation in advance. The middle of a violent altercation with some crazed lunatic is probably not the best time to start thinking about being prepared.

Spend some hours with a friend in your back yard learning to judge distances. Discover how long it actually takes for someone to reach you from fifteen feet away (it will likely surprise you how quickly a person can close from 15 feet). Discuss scenarios and practice some basic defense techniques from various distances to better understand how to start defending your zone.

By training in this way you can attain a higher level of confidence and commitment which can greatly enhance your chances of success in a street fight.

True Story

A man who we’ll call Joe was walking his date back to his truck late at night after a movie. As they walked up the ramp of the parking garage, Joe noticed a suspicious-looking male approaching from ahead.

The man started talking to Joe as he approached Joe’s outer zone, asking the time, waving his hands, and generally trying to distract Joe as he closed the distance.

About the time the man entered Joe’s Blue Zone, Joe stopped, sensing something was wrong. He took a single step forward, putting his date behind him, and pointing directly at the man with his right hand. “That’s far enough,” was Joe’s only comment.

The man stopped, somewhat stunned by Joe’s directness. He spread his arms and tried to smile at Joe disarmingly. It was then that Joe heard a sound off to his right – a second assailant was coming up from Joe’s blind side.

Controlling The Encounter

Without taking his eyes off the first man, Joe pointed his right hand in the direction of the second attacker. Joe’s left hand slipped under his jacket to the small of his back and remained there. Joe nodded to the first man, “Tell him to stop right where he’s at, now!” The first man hesitated for only an instant, his eyes now locked on Joe’s left hand.

The man looked in the direction of his partner who was still off to Joe’s side and shook his head once. He then slowly raised his arms and backed away. “It’s cool, man…” was the man’s only comment before he turned and ran off. The unseen person to Joe’s right fled down a nearby stairwell.

Did the fact that Joe had a loaded Walther PPK .380 handgun tucked in the small of his back and that Joe was also a Tactical Training Instructor help get him out of that situation? It probably didn’t hurt, but did the bad guys or even Joe’s girlfriend know any of that? Nope.

What the bad guys did know was that Joe seemed very aware of his situation and was prepared for a confrontation. Joe reacted to a violation of his zone aggressively and immediately and it was that reaction which repelled his attackers.

The Bottom Line?

Weapons and defense training are immensely beneficial and are like ammunition, but the real weapon is your mind. It’s your mind that must be decisive, confident, and alert so you are prepared for any situation that calls for defending your zone. Because of this, major part of being prepared is understanding the Zone itself.

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124 thoughts on “Defending Your Zone”

  1. This is a great article, and it is true in today’s society we have to be hyper vigilante, keep up the good work, your videos and blogs will be needed now more then ever. Thank You Joe Breen

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  3. Very good situational awareness. With all the training and teaching he must be doing can’t hurt either.

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  7. It is always nice to get refreshed on ideas implemented years ago and practiced without thinking about it. Thanks for the refreshment….

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  8. hi your lessons r awesome , my brother has been learning much , last week a crazy drugged up neighbor came to my house and started trouble had a loaded 40 under his shirt we knew it was there from start , he pulled gun to shoot me or tried never got out of holster my brother laid him out very nice punch , but get this my brother got arrested for robbery [ taking gun]and assault, cops won’t do anything to help us they have been hassling us for a no. of years u have any advice as to who can help my brothers locked up with a huge bail for saving my life whats wrong with this picture let me know thanks, Lance – total violation of our constitution

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  9. That was good information. I don’t like my space violated either. I need to learn more confidence in order to make sure I don’t freeze up, sure don’t want that to ever happen!! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. This is really good info, something I and probably most other men have never considered. Thanks.

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  12. Yes, yes, yes! I have been doing this for years instinctively, it just came natural for me. It’s one of the best ways to keep yourself prepared, mentally. Knowing when to react, or act is a great way to keep you sharp and stay on top of what is happening around you at all times.

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  13. This is am example of what I have learned in my 39 Years in law enforcement. The bad guys look for people who look distracted and not paying attention to their surroundings, ie. Scanning streets, sidewalks and parking lots. Present yourself as the Alfa male/ female and the bad guy will pick someone else.

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  14. outstanding demo of MINDSET The Ben Cooley WAY WHEN I ASK TO BE TRAINED IN COMBAT FIRE ARMS TRAINING FIRST THING I ASK INSTRUCTOR IS HOW MANY LIVE GUN FIGHTS HAVE YOU BEEN IN AND FOUGHT TO WIN AND LOSING WAS NO OPTION??? PS SO I’M STILL TALKING TO YOU WHEN DO WE START AND WHERE Ben Cooley IS THE MAN Glen Boodry IS ANOTHER MAN SEASONED COMBAT INSTUCTOR JOE WACO ACCELERATED BATTLEFIELD COMBATIVES EXPERT

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  15. I agree about your personal space, and that’s why I never leave home without my SOG folder in my right front pants pocket. If a person enters my space then they deserve to get cut! I’ve practiced the scenario dozens of times so that there are no inhibitions.

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  17. Great scenario, intimidation vs awareness; awareness wins!
    I went to school in Chicago after growing up in the country, but my hunting skills proved invaluable in surveying my surroundings at all times!

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  18. 21 ‘ is the danger zone Have some one take a paint brush with paint on it stand 21’ away and have them sprint at you as if the brush was a knife. They will be on you stabbing in less than one sec

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  19. Excellent story.That type of training goes along way in the defense of your loved ones, and keeps you out of harms way. I have learned this type of training in my earlier days in the military, but it is good to have updated information as it occurs. Thank You! 🙂

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  20. Very informitive, proves the importance of receiving defence training. I can definately see how this knowledge and preparidness can boost your confidence.

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  21. I think Joe was fortunate enough to have the training and and handling of firearms and a licence to carry one on him but ultimately your mind is your best weapon.He was aware of his surroundings and spoke up in the proper tone to thwart of two cowards. Good going. Your pal Ken.

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  22. I like the zone concept it makes good sense an would be useful in any time an place unless your already in close quarters with the potitual threat

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  23. Excellent information. I like the zone concept. I never thought of such a thing particularly since we live in such a “politically correct world” “Ha” along with all the stupid laws regarding what you can and cannot say because of the “racism card” I’ll remember the “zone principal” from now on. Thanks

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  24. I have been using this method for years, only I use RED light YELLOW light GREEN light. Green being the safe zone Yellow is when you are more cautious, and Red when danger is obvious.

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  25. GREAT CASE STUDY, I’LL SHOW THIS TO MY SON DAVID, HE PROBABLY ALREADY HAS SOMETHING SIMULAR IN HIS “BAG OF TRICKS” HE’S A CORRECTIONS OFFICER @ CLALLAM BAY PRISON AND I TRAINED HIM TO BE CONFIDENT AND AWARE, HE ALSO HAS SOME OF THE “DVD’S” THAT I GOT FROM FIGHT FAST.COM AND WHEN I GO UP, OR HE COMES DOWN, WE WORK ON DIFFERENT TEQNICS FOR HIM TO HAVE A WINNING EDGE UP THERE THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SITE AND MY MEMBERSHIP TO FIGHT FAST.COM, THANKS AGAIN…BRAHMAJOE SWINNEY brahmajoe@gmail.com

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  27. What’s the best response when caught off guard by someone within the red zone,especially when your partner thinks you’re being paranoid and distructs you by either pulling you or saying I’ve had it with you feeling insecure.Heard friends complain about it with no serious consequences,as at times aggressor changes direction as result of being discovered and noise from the quarrel.

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  28. Thank you very much for the free videos. I enjoy the videos that I have purchased and share them with my family & friends. I can’t afford to buy most of them, but I try when I
    can. You are giving us more self confidence
    in being able to protect ourselves and we need that as we age and are not in “prime” condition” anymore.

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  29. Great info as always from you guys. It’s a crazy world and gettin crazier.Learning new techniques to defend and end a situation is definitely greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work.

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  30. I totally agree this is effective. I have had multiple assailants attempt to attack me during night as I’m walking home and even broad daylight…Yes they are that brazen…especially with the disabled. I have a walker & folding cane and I’m not making it easy for anybody to hurt me. I have fended off an assailant in daylight with my cane and my big mouth. They stalked and followed me for several blocks and I turned… Faced them … and said Stop or I’ll crack this cane upside you head. He still slowly approached me but when he realized I was ready and aware …ready to engage him the element of surprise was relinquished and he soon realized I was ready to fight and I was loud. He did not want to engage me and ran off to avoid being noticed. I stayed in my fighting stance till he ran off. It so helped. Thank you. This is so needed. Even those visvisually impaired and disabled need these skills too. Thanks so much. Tired off being targeted…fed up and fighting back and pushing to stay safer. Thanks -NY Music Instructor

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  32. Very good story. But by Joe placing his hand in the small of his back whether he had a handgun or not may have put him in jeopardy. If Joe’s assailant was armed, that would be the red light for the attacker to start shooting. At a distance of 15 to 20 feet, someone likely would have been injured. Even a person with a knife can penetrate a distance of 12 fweet before a victim can react. thanks again, keep the stories coming.
    Best Wishes,
    Scott Hancock

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  34. As you know, Bob, situational awareness is everything: Joe was aware of the situation, and responded as he should have. Running away may have been a good idea, but his date would have been left to her own devices – Not something that a gentleman, or any man worth his salt, would ever do.

    True, Joe took charge of the situation, but without his awareness of said situation, all the martial training in the world would not have helped him.

    I might add that, situational awareness is NOT something to be relegated to the battle field. It should be second nature in any and every situation, from going to the store, to attending church. As well as everything in between.

    Selah.

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  36. Thanks for all the good info and dvds they have helped a lot. My first thought is avoid that area at night at all cost or any place like that at night.I know a guy who faked a gun it worked with drunk bikers not sure with serous attackers. I had a very similar stupid night once with two men I turned walked fast into the light where people were it worked I was lucky but I was alone that time. Thanks again

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  37. Good example of general SA and assertiveness… but why not even a glance at the 2nd perp? In these situations, it’s often the 2nd that is armed and/or intended to go in for the initial attack. Educate me, plz.

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  39. I’m a 64 year old disabled widow. Over 35 years ago I began martial arts training (after a stint in the military) and collected 4 black belts over time: Kyokushinkai, Seido, Goju and Tae Kwon Do. After becoming disabled 12 years ago in a 70mph head-on collision with a drunk driver, I spent some time with a martial arts instructor who helped me re-train to use my canes, crutches, etc. as my new weapons. Point: I like your techniques as they are so simple that even I can effectively use them. After all, it is a truly bad person who would try to take advantage of a helpless little old lady like me. Right?

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  41. I appreciate the ongoing info received. I will respond to offers as needed. Obviously I can’t do it all, but like most men who are the primary protectors of their loved ones, I am taking steps to do this effectively.

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  44. It can B difficult to prevent someone from entering this 15 ft. Safety zone. People can B very deceptive even when you know the glued to look for. They can act friendly and respectful allowing them well into the area you talk about. I have 30 years as a Ky state trooper and I am a veteran When a person expressed anger at me I at least knew where he stood. It was the times that he or she was extremely nice that caused me to pay closer attention to them. I felt that he was trying to get me to drop my guard. But thinks for your concern, I appreciate it.

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  45. Anytime you are threatened, make sure you have grounds to take a life. That is the 2 second rule. Once you’ve fired, it’s going to be to late. But remember, it’s better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6. I believe if there is that threat, I first warn the person, or persons that I am armed and do not come any closer. That is my one and only warning. The option is theirs. However, I know once warned and they continue to make a move, I would not hesitate to take their life.

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  46. Women, fight with your men!!!! Slap grab and twist while he is working upstairs….and don’t forget to rock n roll the back of the leg….hurts so good…..for you!!!?

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  48. Joe’s story reminded of a time when I took a girlfriend to a funeral home late at night to drop off clothes for her deceased relative. When I walked around my car to open the door for her, I noticed in the distance a dark figure approching. Before I know it, that person was right behind me. If I had not had the presence of mind to turn immediately into a defensive posture, I believe I would have been attacked. When I turned, I ducked down low throwing a right into the man’s groan when he yelled: “I only wanted to ask for direction.” Fortunately for the guy, I controlled my blow, and he departed uninjured. His words as he left was, “you were going to F-word me up!

    You should always be aware of your surrounding and prepared to act just like Joe was.

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  50. Situational awareness, good to be reminded to stay vigilant in the moments before confrontation and violence starts. Good info thanks guys.

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