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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?

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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).

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

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?”

  1. I will not go out looking for a fight
    And ill even try to avoid one
    But i will not be pushed
    And i cant stand a bully
    So if i seen a bully, bullying id have bad intentions

    Reply

  3. I think part of the “flip the switch” also needs to take into account the type of situation. There is a difference between someone who is trying to seriously hurt or kill you and someone who is just looking to kick your ass. In the first scenario it should be no holds barred, while in the second limits might be needed. If someone is just angry with you and has lost their temper, it may not be appropriate to use permanently disabling or fatal moves. Just thought I would throw that in as I’ve been in such a situation and nearly permanently blinded my opponent before I caught myself and de-escalated my self.

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  4. How true the bad guys size you up in an instant so you have to be prepared to do the same and hurt them first.

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  5. Sometimes “flipping the switch” first is to your advantage. Puts your aggressor in defensive mode before he tries it on you. Letting him know that you mean business before he has time to act against you will throw him off balance when he realizes you’re not in the mood to play games with him. At the first sign that he thinks he’s going to intimidate you I prefer to give him “the look” and go silent.
    I hang out in a rough part of town, so it’s definitely to your advantage to step back and take a silent stance and let him know if he advances he’s taking that risk on himself.

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  6. Dear Dean Horine: Thanks for this enlightening advice. As a retired senior citizen and a lifetime Catholic Priest, I guess I’m struggling between martyrdom or just let my animal instinct kick in.

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  7. You are absolutely correct and most of us require an occasional reminder that the world around us is a very fluid and constantly changing environment filled with desperate individuals on a constant search for prey whom, much like the Apex Predator in the wild, has learned to watch for those signs of weakness and fear that makes one individual a more desirable target than another… In many cases the very young and the very old are prime targets and then next on the list are people like me. I am 67 years old, hardly considered for inclusion in the two previous categories, but severe degenerative arthritis has put me at a serious disadvantage when it comes to defending myself in a physical altercation. There is very little I can do about my physical condition, but there are a number of things that I can do to make myself a less desirable target… First lose the disabled parking placard, nothing shouts out “chow time” to some asshole on the prowl than the advertisement that a weak (and or) infirmed target has just entered his hunting grounds… “Situational Awareness” be alert know what is going on around you, if someone has been a little too close for a little too long you can lower your desirability index by subtly letting them know you are aware of their presence (most predators prefer the element of surprise to a face to face confrontation)… Carry yourself with confidence, stand tall, be alert don’t appear distracted and at least give the appearance that anyone planning to accost you might be better off finding a new victim… Don’t walk around with a set of “I” anything earbuds stuck in your head, don’t wear a lot of jewelry, wear loose fitting clothes that make concealing a weapon much easier, get a concealed carry permit, get a quality weapon, train as often as you can, never travel alone if it can be avoided, develope a “Warrior” mindset and most importantly should the situation present itself do not hesitate, use whatever defensive method you have chosen and be prepared to see it through to the end regardless of the ultimate outcome. Remember, your attacker chose you, that person made the conscious decision to put your life at risk most likely without considering the possibility/probability of any degree of personal bodily harm, just make sure you live to see your attacker regret that decision. Personally I’ve had the benefit of Marine Corps training and combat experiences that included life or death hand to hand encounters which put my fear level very low and my confidence level very high, but with proper training and practice, practice and more practice anyone can find their “War Face” should the need arise…..

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  8. I am a small, blonde, descent looking 40 yr old woman, which believe it or not invites a LOT of creeps. Luckily I have never been attacked but I believe it is because of my mindset and the attention I pay to what is going on around me at all times. At 5’2, and average weight, I could possibly be a great target, but when I walk down the street or in a parking lot I do NOT have earphones in or am mindlessly playing candy crush on my phone. My head is up, and looking from side to side, constantly aware of who is around me. I look people in the eye when they walk by me just to let them know I am aware they are there. I never let anyone walk too close to me, and whenever I open my car door I look around again including a look inside the cars parked next to me to make sure someone can’t rush me unexpectedly. I have seen WAY TO MANY stories of women being forced into their cars and raped or worse taken elsewhere and murdered. If it’s dark out, my keys are between my fingers, ready to jab an eye out. And I never hesitate to let a man walk me to my vehicle if my car is in an especially empty lot or dark area. Also, walking down the streets at night I never walk next to bushes or close to alleyways. And God forbid, if I ever WAS ATTACKED I would fight like a hellcat! I would be out to blind, maim or kill the sorry son of a bitch. I also would never let a would be rapist/murderer take me from point A to point B. So many women get in that car because the creep promises they won’t hurt them if they just go along with it (yeah right!) or because the sub has a gun. I’D rather fight and risk getting a (hopefully ) non-fatal shot at point A then being taken somewhere and tortured for days or weeks. That is why I love your website. It is perfect for someone like me. I am not going to waste my time learning some Tai Chi version of karate or go kickboxing. My goal in learning fight moves is to protect myself and my kids. I am also teaching my 11 year old daughter and 10 year old son the same lessons on how to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and I am going to introduce (and practice) the moves I learn here with my kids. Thank you for offering me and my kids a way to truly help keep ourselves safe.

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  9. In my mind, when I feel the talking is done and physical contact is imminent, the adage “hit first and hit hard” is always the best way of ending the conflict successfully. Nothing is out of bounds. I will kick knees to the side, open hand to the back of elbows while pulling on wrist with all my strength trying to dislocate or break bones or joints, knife hand eyes, ridge hand or fist the throat and solar plexus. Bite noses,ears, you name it. IMO, there is no such thing as “dirty fighting”. Close the distance quickly and get the hell out quickly. Never assume he is on his own. Head on a swivel. Anything handy can become a weapon. Dirt in the eyes, a branch, a ballpoint pen, my knife. Learning to headbutt properly is essential.
    And here’s my emotional trigger… I’ll always fight as if I am trying to save the life of a loved one, like my mother or sister, brother in arms, someone very near and dear. Not only does that allow me to engage without hesitation, or fear (I grew up with a very abusive father. I have no fear of that white flash of light and the pain associated with it) but it allows me to do anything necessary to save their life. I will never let them down. One or two seconds delay will seriously lower your chances of survival. One ounce less pressure of strike will make the difference between victory and defeat. Remember, a relaxed muscle without thought, becoming rigid only at the point of impact reacts far faster. Stay loose and mobile. Never assume that since he is down, that he is out. Put the boot to him before disappearing.
    That’s my .02.
    Vet1976

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  10. Prime key to surviving; recognize an attack for what it is by your situational awareness. If it looks like…that takes too long. You are already done. One must act instinctually,swiftly, with commitment. Sickness is an art form, much rather be the artisit than the canvas.

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  11. This is a great way to tell people that they have a fight or flight response as well. If they are not willing to get into their bad intentions to hurt someone that is trying to hurt them then, they should put as much force into one move to hirt the person. Then hit the ground running. I have been in a situation where it was better for me to run then to fight. So I hit him as hard as I could and ran.

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  12. I agree with this wholeheartedly, that you must decide that hurting your attacker is a given, seeing he has bad intentions against you. You must have a mindset of aggressive self-defense and go into what I call ‘survival mode’. Yes, the survival mindset is aggressive. It has to be.

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  14. Excellent reminder about reality in the street. Over the years I’ve seen the need to do exactly that be able to change hats at the drop of a hat. I made up my mind while driving the city bus as an operator that wasn’t going to be the case for me. I would not allow myself to be caught lagging behind. So I have bad intentions and they are if you so any slight interest in hurting me or my loved ones. I’ll commence the attack and I’ve made up my mind and have learned areas of the body that could become fatal with one blow. It’s not like when we were coming up we used to chest box no this is about survival and if it’s more than one person attacking it’s nice to know where to deliver one blow to even the odds.

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  15. If you fight defensively you will lose. There is no such thing. Any fight is beat or be beaten, kill or be killed. Civilised fighting is an oxymoron.

    If your threatened, bring your bad side out. Put it away when your opponent is finished.

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  16. The comments are very interesting and varied,many remind me my youthful fight or flight confines so very long ago when rage/fear reactions ruled such responses.I find myself calm and comfortable within the combat reality almost a welcome home surreal relaxed instant in time very somehow slowed down to fluid flowing response,But then experience/training have changed my life’s toolbox and regardless of multiple attackers or weapons in close quarters we are comfortable, It’s afterwards I feel only the adrenaline dump and my body vibrating inside

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  17. one more thing I would like to expand on is the act of keeping your entire body loose, relaxed and moving to the sides and in and out, until the point of contact and follow through. As if you are aiming a few inches behind the point of contact. And keep an empty mind. Thinking about a strike removes its effectiveness. They see it coming for one. My most successful strike, which surprised even me, was a backhand fist to the bridge of my opponents nose. He rushed me as if to grapple..which at 165lbs…I do not do. My arm was loose like a whip until it struck the bridge of his nose. Very little effort went into it. I had my side to him preparing for a hip throw, but I just flicked it out there without thinking about it. It was all so instinctful. Living completely in the moment. Much to my surprise he dropped immediately. Never forget the eyes rolling back in his head and going down. He was out before he hit the ground. I was so surprised!
    This being said, I try to be a good and fair man. Never look for trouble because I’m too busy being kind to those who are kind to me. But, I refuse to be bullied or allow someone to physically abuse me. Had enough of that as a kid growing up with a psychotic father.
    Keep yourselves in shape and ready for anything. I’m 59 and still in very good shape because I work out daily. This site will take you a long way if you pay attention and actually shadow practice or with a friend. Use care. Thank you to those at Fightfast. Great site. Good products. Good advice. Thanks guys.
    Highest regards,
    Vet1976.

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  18. Yes these are sound practices, one should learn. as a child growing up in fukuoka,
    Gaijin!, i learn hard way!! others should not
    the life’s of those who you cherishe are precious to us all. .. .. don’t let them down.

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  19. Flipping the switch is a hard thing to do for most of us. Fightfast is right to bring it up for discussion. I think that as Bob says we have to think about it before it ever happens, work out our own triggers and line in the sand, how far do we take it etc.

    I think that often the toughest blokes can also be the best of characters and generally the quietest and least likely to cause trouble. It can be hard to flip the switch.

    Thank you once again fightfast.

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  20. I have been following you’re article’s and post for quite some time, and I must say that you are definitely telling your trainee,s the truth when you say “the aggressor will control the the encounter” PERIOD. If your not in control of the situation, you have handed over “control” to the guy with “Bad Intentions” and there is never a good out come with that scenario. Except maybe getting robbed, beaten, or your family hurt or worse. Be aware, be ready, and be the aggressor when that switch is flipped. Allways Fightfast! Get trained and be able to flipp that “Switch” from “Nice Guy” to “Deadly Animal” when the time comes. Good Luck with just trying to “survive” an encounter, be the “MASTER” of the outcome!

    Thanks for everything, Dean.
    Kevin

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  21. The first time some ass hole came at me with a 12″ bar and swung it at me he missed bur I didn’t miss taking it off of him abd breaking both of his arms and splitting his head wide open. He didn’t remember a damn thing but the pins in his arms and plate in his head has taught him a lesson. And I didn’t know the fool. I’ve walked past him many times and he has no memory of what happened.
    PS: I like his “present” of the 12″ steel bar. lol This happened in 2007

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  22. Just saying hello to brothers and sisters from Vietnam! I was Navy SEAL, and I spent ’68-’69 in the bush, but I messed up! I thought I was finished with war when I left the Nam behind! Now I’m prepping for the raghead skirmish with some jackasses who think they’re bad-ass S.O.Bs. I guess they aren’t aware of the fact that they’re seriously underestimating old Vietnam veterans, and our love of some payback!

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  23. From an old Marine, you are dead on the money. You cannot afford to worry about “What if I hurt him” that’s the whole idea. If you have that mindset, you have already lost!
    Boomer

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  24. I am a Christian, and I have no bad intentions toward any person. My intentions toward someone’s actions, however, could immediately turn bad should that person pose a threat to my family, friends, or to my ability to protect them. I will avoid a fight if it is at all reasonably possible. Defense, alone can never win a fight, so when I must fight—–I must fight to win!……P.S. ….I am now 77+ years old, and only 5 ft tall, but I’m still going strong, thank you Lord JESUS!

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  25. I’d like to think of myself as a somewhat kind individual.. However, I have a history of, let’s just say..Knowing when to act. Yes, it does depend on the situation at hand, HOWEVER, it would seem situations on the rise may very well provoke the “Its go time..” side of me, that has taken me years to stuff in the corner of my psyche. I’m not fond of where this world is heading.. and many scenarios arising all at the same time has me struggling to keep the old me under lock and key. PATIENCE is golden! Survival is KEY. Give me cause, and I’d “flip the switch” without a second thought.

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  26. I am a Vietnam combat veteran. This is why some survived and others did not. Combat of any kind is serious business. The enemy will kill you and there is mothing like the dead after conflict to drive that message home.
    My switch is very short my friend. If people want to know what the thousand yard stare is its some one thats seen to much and can flip thae kill switch fast. Determined to survive is the correct phrase.
    Damn good advice and particularly for women.

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  27. Hi,
    The Bad Guys pick the time and place of the criminal attack on the rest of us just going about our day. A half a dozen times in my lifetime, they came to me. So far I have seen them coming and stopped them cold, disarmed them, and turned them over to the cops. (Or disarmed them and let them go…) Concealed carry was not legal at the time so the cops told me to stop carrying a gun the first time I turned in two bandits. The last time this happened there were six of them and I had to commit several crimes to stop them in their tracks. I just turned 65 and I still have two concealed guns everywhere I go. The main thing is to be observant and leave before the action starts. If you cannot leave You must kill them if they attack. Conversation is a waste of time.
    John

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  28. I am a former Marine and i have seen sides of myself that I have never seen before. A few months ago I was at a bar and I had told the man sitting next to me that I had enough of him hitting on my wife. He stood up to swing on me. He never had a chance! I grabbed himhim by the throat and cocked back my other arm with an aim that suprised me! I was going to shatter his nose. Typically I would of aimed for a less damaging and less painful spot to strike. Long story short, I didnt strike, the Bouncers broke it up and tossed him out. I think I know where the switch is and when to flip it.

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  29. I agree with your premise. At 78 I will not last long in a fight with some younger guy. Only a decisive first strike in a vital area gives you the advantage. And don’t hesitate to use any defensive weapon available.

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  30. With me, I believe the way you look,act, and hold yourself determine whether you will be a victim. If you look like a easy target,then that is what you will end up as. With me,the #$%*?# %#&@#$ is not going to get that chance. I would bet a paycheck on my ass, not his dumb #$@%#* ass.

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  31. Is better for the attacker to be hurt than me…. because they have intentions to either kill me or hurt me very bad… So I rather it be them than me!!!

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  36. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told my wife about this. She won’t take much foolishness from anyone, but I want her to be sure that when comes that time to act, there is no more talk just action. I’m buying her several non lethal (or lethal) legal items she can carry that can be used in self defense effectively. Boy could I tell you some personal stories. Great mind check issue.

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  37. Hey, Jerry here. Just want to comment that if you do not approach conflict with bad intentions You Will Lose. Taking out the Bad Guy at all cost
    will keep you alive and should be your only concern especially when your family is being threated. You don’t think about what to do just react and get your loved ones out of harms way ASAP. SEMPER FI

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  38. Stand tall and with bad intentions eliminate the threat with a smile on your face. Scares the hell out of a bad guy when you come at him with pearly whites shining. If you want to walk away from a threat you have to eliminate the threat at all cost. Do not respond unless you are willing to finish and do what might be necessary. I teach students just one rule, there are no rules.

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  39. Sound advice. He who hesitates loses. The only certain way to end an attack by an aggressor is to knock him unconscious or damage him so badly that he cannot continue the attack. Hit first with Bad Intentions and keep on hitting, kicking, gouging until your attacker goes under. Streetfights are no place for half measures if you want to stay alive.

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  40. I absolutely agree with the “bad intentions” approach to any physical attack/altercations. This type of thinking before you ever strike is key! This very concept helped my son who was being bullied at school. Thanks for all your teachings & great skills!

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  41. I am an old guy now, but still feel the same as when I taught my own brand of martial arts. I taught offensive martial arts…that is once the situation was defined then it was offense with the ball. Defense only gives one the moment, offense the victory and your life. I now am 75, a Vietnam vet and an ex cop. Had I not believed in these principles and methods I would not be writing this today.

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  42. This is good. I always tell my friends that any fight means life or death. If you look at it any other way, you could end up dead. There’s no such thing as a fair fight. You ARE fighting for your life. Or not fighting at all. And more times than not, there’s a buddy or two of his close by to get you from behind. Our just to kick the living be Jesus of of you while you lay helpless on the ground. My switch is instant. As soon as I feel a legitimate to me or my companion. And/or any helpless individual being obviously bullied !

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  43. This is precisely the thing that kept me alive in my youth.
    Thank you for making my brain revisit this subject.

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  44. You’re on point when it comes to “Flipping the Switch”. There’s definitely something that happens when you’re confronted. First there’s a heightened sense of awareness and the adrenaline starts to kick in. Then there’s a focus almost like tunnel vision. Your Intensity rises. An expectation of being attacked by the other party triggers your posture and your ready stance. Fight or flight mode…. a grey area for most. This is the moment where you know you’re either going to fight or get your ass handed to you. This is where you’re either in control of your emotions or your emotions are in control of you. The thing is, sometimes you don’t have to fight. Do you have the wit or the emotional control over yourself to take control from the aggressor physically and emotionally? Fear….. a powerful emotion. It can help or hurt you. Fear fuels adrenaline. And that’s where training takes over. Some get training in the military and some start as a child in a martial arts class. Either way, it still takes discipline. The better trained you are, the more confident in yourself you will be and the better you will act/react in a stressful situation. When you’re well trained you’re body is in auto-mode. Training just takes over in a stressful situation. There’s no setting up or no preparing, you’re just always ready. For some, there’s a switch that needs to be flipped, and for others, the switch is always on. The difference is training.

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  47. Thanks for opening my eyes. You are right. We are taught to be nice. I once waited for a man to grab me by the throat in a road rage incident. I was lucky his boxing skills were not as good as mine. Things might have been a lot different.
    Howard

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  48. Very well put, you sure don’t want to play around, be serious, there are no rules, do whatever it takes.

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  50. As a former Army Enlistee I was taught to be the Survivor in an attack. You are right about bad intentions.

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