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Do You Have Bad Intentions?

Welcome Back!

Jim West was recently at our studio to provide some expert instruction on a few new weapon projects. As expected, we had a great time. Jim has a way of tossing out nuggets of combat wisdom in passing that really stick with you. Here’s one thing he brought up that many of us don’t give enough thought to:

“Bad Intentions”

Jim pointed out that in a life or death self-defense situation, you MUST have bad intentions. If you aren’t mentally prepared to hurt your attacker, you are much less likely to survive. The survival mindset is an aggressive one.

For Jim, it’s about flipping the switch from polite citizen to “ass kicking” mode as quickly as possible. How fast can you make the switch? Seriously, think about that for a minute…

Most of us grew up being told we have to be kind to others… and we should. Most of us were scolded for hitting others at a young age… also a good thing. Because of our parent’s strong values and guidance we developed into kind and respectful citizens.

Here’s the Problem…

If kindness and respect are your norms, how do you “flip the switch?” For some, it’s very difficult and can take a second or two. For others, they just can’t seem to make the switch. Why is it so difficult for us? We are conditioned to be non-violent. Criminals expect good victims, and for the most part, people are. The criminal’s instinct is to take what they want through intimidation, deception, and violence. Ours is to earn what we want through honest, hard work.

In the critical few moments leading up to physical contact, most of us are looking for ways to de-escalate the situation, or are simply paralyzed by fear (or an ingrained hesitancy to hurt another human being). All this works to the criminal’s advantage.

So You MUST Be Proactive

If you wait for a life-threatening situation to decide what to do, you are leaving too much up to chance. You must decide ahead of time where your “line in the sand” is. And if it’s crossed, how far will you go?

Ask yourself the following questions:

  1. How dirty will you fight?
  2. Are you out for blood?
  3. Will you wait to be hit first?

Don’t Get Me Wrong

I’m not suggesting you fly off the handle at the slightest chance of a conflict. But when trouble comes knocking, you’d better be mentally prepared to take care of the problem and resolve yourself to do what you think is necessary.

Keep in mind hundreds, if not thousands of people have been killed with just one punch. So, as far as I’m concerned, there are no “little scuffles” in the street. This isn’t the playground. A grown man trying to hit me IS life threatening, every time. When you engage you must truly intend on hurting the person. You can’t fake it.

Aggression and self-preservation are basic animal instincts. Use them. If you are simply defending (as in, only using defensive moves) your attacker will likely keep at it, until he has worn you down. Your defense has to hurt him. It must have those bad intentions.

The Reality Is This

With the exception of a skilled counter-fighter, aggressors control the encounter. If you willingly let the attacker maintain his role as the leader in the encounter you are leaving too much up to chance. Hoping he’ll give up, hoping somebody will come to the rescue, hoping he won’t hurt you too bad, or hoping he’ll leave your family alone.

Don’t hope… ACT. We’ve talked about mindset before and this won’t be the last time we talk about it. But I think Jim West has a unique and valuable way of looking at this issue, that may resonate in a different way than some of our previous articles.

What Do You Think?

When trouble comes, will you have the strength to flip the switch? Let me know in the comments below!

For a safe life…

Dean Horine, Special Projects
FightFast/TRS

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696 thoughts on “Do You Have Bad Intentions?”

  3. Yep stick a thumb in the eye, punch them in the throat, then make their leg a multi-directional joint at the knee. If they can’t see they won’t fight, they can’t breath they won’t fight, and with a broken leg they can’t keep coming at you. Pa was an M.P. in WWII and he taught me the rules to a fight. Everything is fair until you win or can get away. PERIOD!

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  4. With the experiences that I have had in lockdown and within the streets, I have always showed no fear, because, fear will get you hurt or killed. Being calm around individuals that are not calm makes them look at you in a different way. Some try to intimidate a person they think is weak and it unnerves them when that does not work.

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  7. Here’s the skinny. I’m a 31yr. cancer survivor, survived 2 near death accidents, been on the other end of a gun before conceal carry, and have taken over 400 lives. There are 2 instances when I will intervene a situation. One, well, both are abuse to either an animal or a (defenseless) woman. Recently, a young man asked me what I would do if I got in a fight. First, I don’t put myself in those situations, or where a situation could escalate. I was quite blunt, I told him, “I’d kill ’em”. I’m 100% disabled as a result of my experiences, and If I’m threatened I will fight dirty and fast, no questions asked. And, all in less than 2 minutes. So, that’s pretty much it from a passive, gregarious-introvert. Oh, and I’ve found one thing about me that threatens certain individuals is that I’m a bible loving, gun toting, edcuated, single, white, Christian male. Sorry for the fat – skinny.

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  9. The trick lies I being able to correctly judge when your opponent is truly “neutralized” enough for you to leave the scene, If you go too far and there are witnesses, you could end up being prosecuted as a “kung fu killer”.

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  10. Hey Bob,

    You’ve been pretty aggressive with the the emails, relentless is a better word…and I finally am ready to pay attention. Everything you say I true in regards to us vs. them, and I agree with you 100% about the need to be ready when, probably not “if” I am involved with an attacker or aggressor.
    I’m 54, white, level headed, and in good enough shape to get into better shape. No bullshit wanted, just some real straight forward intro advice, as to make myself someone who can make that switch when I need to. I got sucker punched trying to settle an altercation between two idiots, but lost the fuckhead in the chase that followed. He hit me and immediately ran. I should have been ready, and wish I had avoided the punch and followed through with swift punishment. I appreciate your reply, thanks ….Allen

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  12. I spent 6 years in the Marines , I have this very short line to crazy , I have no doughy in my mined that I couldn’t make that sudden change to being over aggressive , I’ve had that instant killer instink for many many years !!

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  13. I DON’T BELIEVE ANYONE KNOWS HOW THEY WILL REACT WHEN UNDER ATTACK UNTIL CONFRONTED. FOR EXAMPLE AS A CIVILIIAN RIDING IN A CHOPPER IN VIETNAM CIRCA 1970, A BULLET FIRED FROM A BOAT NARROWLY MISSED MY HEAD. I FLEW INTO AN INSTANT RAGE WANTING TO IMMEDITELY EMPTY A CLIP INTO THE BOAT. FORTUNATELY FOR ME COOLER HEADS PRVAILED, AND I SAT BACK DOWN. HOWEVER, UNTIL THAT EXPERIENCE I HAD NO IDEA THAT I WOULD BE INSTANTLY OUTRAGED AND COMPLETELY VOID OF FEAR.

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  14. Very interesting perspective I hadn’t given thought to before. But you can bet I will going forward!
    Thank you.

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  16. I’ve never had a problem being the aggressor! If there is any kind of threat to me I eliminate it fast. If there is a weapon I disarm the weapon if possible or threatened by a weapon I carry my gun and will not hesitate to use it. I also carry edc tactical blades on me for last resort. I worked bouncing in a big bar when I was 21 And you can figure a threat out fast! Always see who is around you and your family. When any environment, being a store or theatre or fair think a head see who is around you and think ahead as if something will happen. It helps prepare you and let’s you always be aware of your surroundings!

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  17. Yes I agree you have to be willful and Deliberat and the threat should be Neutralized.with in striking distance is to close cd

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  20. Precisely, Draw your line in your mind ahead of time. Turn the black on and take care of business. If your going to worry about hurting that attacker,, they will defeat you. also remember when they are unable to continue,,,,LEAVE. Don’t hang out to see your handy work, they may have buddies coming

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  21. Jim is entirely correct. I live in the yellow zone so I don’t get approached or hassled hardly ever. I have noticed being sized up and them deciding to go elsewhere. But when I have been approached I go straight to “kill or maim mode”. There is no point in doing otherwise. It was how I was trained. Almost always they back down rather quickly.

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  22. If you Trap a
    wild animal in a corner, Just what triggers him to come out and put the Fear of God in you?
    That is the way I feel when someone is Dumb enough to try and Piss Me Off! I will become
    the aggressor and open up a can of Whoop-Ass

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  23. Every drill sergeant, Israeli ones above all, has that problem. How to inculcate a killer attitude in recruits who were trained from babies to be nice and kind and peaceful. When those recruits are back into civilian life, their training still must kick in if he encounters a terrorist. It could make the difference between a “mosquito bite” and a mass casualty attack. When the attack or attempted attack is over, the same citizen has to go back to his family and not beat his wife and kids.

    What about here? In Brooklyn there are few terrorists going berserk with a knife or wearing a suicide vest. Prior knowledge tells us the motive will be antisemitism, robbery/bodily harm or both (bad guy wants easy money and thinks I’m an easy mark because I’m Jewish). A snap decision must be made because motive can alter the legal and moral landscape. If the attacker is a fellow my age and size who doesn’t like Jews (he will obligingly tell you by uttering antisemitic slurs), I won’t use lethal force because he isn’t trying to kill me. Since there is a sporting aspect, I’m not going to bust his balls or scoop out his eyeballs, and when it’s over I’ll try to shake hands. If he wants easy money I’ll give him as hard a time as I could. He could be prepared to kill, so I’m not taking any chances. Go after the most vulnerable targets – eyes, nose, throat, solar plexus, kidneys, balls – and keep striking when he’s down until the cops come or he stops moving. I want him, if and when he recovers, to tell all his homies that there’s a different kind of Jew and they should stay the hell away from us and look for easier victims.

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  26. I have made my mind up in advance I will only pull my gun out on one condition that is to use it! if it comes out I will not hesitate one bit take aim and fire until the threat is down for the count or my gun is empty.I was taught never pull my gun out unless I was goying to use it period.

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  27. Thanks for good advice. I used to think of this as warrior mentality. And most people will sadly have to achieve this through life experiences. Thanks for putting this out for people to think about . Sadly for me, spending time down range with the military gave me the ability to go from zero to sixty, confronted, toready and able to hurt or kill, in short order.
    Best, Kurt

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  28. The is ad right as it gets. Uf you do not act the other person will. I have always been tought that EVERY strike is ment to kill. If not then you need to leave before you are the one that is dead.
    Thank you & always be safe,
    Steve

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  29. So right. To be nice to people is a great way to make friends, but being nice to a deep-intent criminal does not make him, or her, a friend, just a “return customer”. If they know you’ll row over, then they know you are a prime target later.

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  30. Great information Dean. When I was a younger man I controlled many “situations” while never throwing a punch or putting my hands on people. I give all that credit to attitude which comes with the flipping of that switch. Most times that attitude worked but not always resulting in some good some bad. I am now in my late 50s, disabled but still I refuse to be a victim. I carry concealed but sometimes that is not an option so I carry a spike pen and a flashlight/stungun on my person. My EDC bag has numerous items that are quite lethal. My car, well I’ll save that for another time. Thanks again Dean and Jim

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  31. Love this i teach my daughter moves you guys send me and they work shes only 11 and she is told by me if you are in danger you strike first

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  32. Jim Smokey West is one of my favorite instructors. I only wish he was here on the east coast to be part of his program.
    I feel very secure with his mindset when it comes to self defense. His techniques are by far the easiest to master.
    Yes I’m really impressed with anything he tells his audience.
    Have his dvds and look forward to any new ones.

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  34. Yep. I totally agree. When it comes down to it, and one walks away…I plan to be the one who is still standing.
    Thanks for all you do.

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  37. So many bad mores come back to me. bloody ambushes and sniper kills during my two years in Vietnam. I HAVE found that he who shoots first and straight survives. Initiate with overwhelming fire power and violence.Initiate first! Remind your new guys that it you don’ t kill him, he will kill you. In street fight, knock his ass down and don’t let him get up.

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  38. My years spent as a Correctional Officer taught me that if your mindset was not as badass as the prisoners you were in way over your head. I took from that that if anyone means ill for you or those you love you have to come back with that attitude on steroids.

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  40. Hello Dean Horine
    This was a very useful article. Jim’s description of “flipping the switch” for some reason helps me a lot. And your discussion of what that means is brilliant. Brilliant as in, like a diamond. Much worth in a tiny tiny space. Very hard, from aeons of pressure, refracting much light. (I study rocks).

    The image of flipping the switch; and your advice to be mentally ready ahead of time, to deal with the aggressor; and your description of the criminal mind (so true)–these are three trusty bits in my arsenal. Thank you!

    Violence has always horrified me. There are times however when it is necessary, and I will be dispensing it to disable any cruel attacker who threatens me, the people I love, any children, or animals.

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  41. I abhor violence, but have trained in, used, and taught others how to be immediately violent should the situation be dangerous. Always be aware of your surroundings, every individual in your area, and always have a reaction plan as you encounter other individuals. As a Marine, I have taken human life with firearms, other weapons (anything can become a weapon), and empty hands. As a civilian, I have had two empty handed encounters that required extreme violence. I agree whole heartedly with this advice as given by Jim West.

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  43. Law enforcement 26 years retired 72 years old don’t screw with me im to old to get hurt, I will hurt you first

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  44. Being a Tiger instead of a Sheep requires more than bad intentions. It requires the strength,skill and the focused aggression of a combat soldier. But if you don’t have the size and strength you can make it up with the right firepower. This is where skill come in ie: training and practice, practice, practice. You must be willing to kill your opponent as quickly and efficiently as possible. The objective is not a firefight. You will still have legal issues even though it was self defense.

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  46. Be suspicious of everyone and everything, even the small things that are just outside of normal. Stay vigilant and practice situational awareness, even when at home.

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  48. I run my strike movements quickly through my head as soon as I sence trouble , I I feel some one is going to hurt me or my family I am going to *#@” them up quickly. I’m from the murder capital of Ontario Canada and I am and have to always be on!! I am a 56 yr old skilled street fighter but through Bob P and fightfast I have learned so much more thank you all

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  49. I try to avoid physical confrontation but when it comes down to them or me with no other option, I let my pent up rage loose because I’m not going to let myself get rolled over by fear.

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  50. Yes I think if someone is going to go as far as putting their hands on me in violence is a a attempted homicide on my person! To many things can happen. I could get punched in the head and fall not really hurt hit my head on a concrete block and bam in a comma or dead! Anyway that’s how I see it.

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