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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:

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“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?”

  1. I’m no bad a** dude but my experiences as a paratrooper and correctional officer taught me that violence has its place and that situation dictates what level to use. Some folks are not comfortable with finding out there is place inside you that is mean, ornery, and monsterish but it exists so that you can survive when called upon. Know it exists and become comfortable with it and realize you’re not deranged. All the training in the world means squat if you do not have the mental/emotional ability to put it to use against another human being! Obviously that attitude combined with training or some type of prep will go a long way towards surviving a bad situation. Just as a mental exercise, the next time you’re at a store, look around on the shelves and figure out what items could be used for defense and/or offense. If you come up with good ideas, you’ve just shook hands with the little beastie inside you! It’s ok, he might turn out to be your best friend someday!

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  2. True.
    When faced with life threatening situations, all take either a fight or flight stance.
    When you have to fight, you’d better get there fast.

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  3. Dean, I have thought about this before. I don’t count on escaping every incident with just my fists. I am 74 yrs and I don’t always carry a gun. However, I have an axe handy in my car and always carry a knife in bad areas. As far as being able to use fists, axe, knives to the end; I’m not sure because I have always been able to settle things reasonably. I am a good talker(I worked for the U.S. Dept of State for 19 yrs.) lucky I never had to “go to war”. You have given very good advice. I will remember what you said, and I hope it will be me left standing. Best Regards, Tom Cocke

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  4. So true, if you have no fight after your
    selfdefence move and your attacker is still coming you need that bad intention to get you out of trouble good read thanks

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  5. My problem or dilemma is not whopping the guy or girl’s butt if they deserve it as much as not wanting to go to the extreme end and due irreparable damage to the person and then realize that they had no deadly intentions nor even the ability to hurt me. Of course this requires prior knowledge, testing them or blindly guessing even if an assessment is made it could be wrong.

    Women are often taught to “go for the groin” and then eyes and to grab, rip and tear. Men learn these things, but seem to gravitate towards simpler actions as just punching, throwing or striking to different areas of the body for an effective and sufficient amount of hits to subdue their opponent. More experienced and better trained fighters may be more capable of “toning it down” and sizing up their aggressors than less experienced and less confident.

    Now, I don’t have a chip on my shoulder or anything and I believe I can make a reasonable choice as to how to deal with a hostile person, but would choose prior to the heat of battle not to gouge eyes or snap bones, but technically and understandably many would say I am limiting my potential to avoid being hurt and to be most effective. Of course if it’s a mugging or assault at night or by multiple people, then I would go all out and that’s what we have those “deadliest” and most aggressive fight options for. It’s the foolish drunk or occasional disgruntled idiot that is more of a problem as they don’t fit the same role as that of a mugger or gang member out for kicks.

    I feel people need to differentiate various scenarios, and yet, as you stated, people have been killed by a single punch and it’s happened to high school age kids. So, where does one draw the line or how do we determine the level of force to use on any given person in any situation.

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  6. I am one those that hates violence and has always sorted things out with my mouth but thing have changed so much for the worse. The streets are not safe and you are not even safe in your own house. Not a day goes by that whenever you turn on the Television, there are reports of violence. I am 65 and in a wheelchair. I live with my wife and Grand daughter (aged 5) and I would do what ever I had to, to protect them and I mean anything.
    I guess we all have a trigger and that would be mine which is why I get Emails from Bob and fightfast which is
    excellent. Many thanks

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  7. Gday guys, I’m learning Arnis and what you are talking about, the switch, is a core value of this martial arts. So its the key to it all. And I’m happy to hear it being talked about here on your site. Thanks for the info.

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  8. Hi Dean,
    I have been receiving your email blasts for a while now and while I find them instructive this last one got me thinking. For people like myself who have never been involved in the military or police services to become the aggressor is very difficult. I also have never been in a fight! I have tried to correct this lack of experience in my life by studying Kung Fu and while we do learn to severely hurt our opponents, I’m sceptical that I would ever be able to become the aggressor. Unfortunately I see a scenario where I would allow the other person to make the first move , I have been trained to defend and then deliver enough force to be able to escape. I’m sure I have the wrong mindset-but it is hard to change. In class for instance amongst other techniques we have been taught to crush the trachea with one blow but I wonder if I would ever be able to deliver such a deadly blow. I also think that you must be able to assess the threat-is it a drunk or a mugger or a person intent on doing you deadly harm ? Is there any way to tell the intent of the attacker. Some tips here would be helpful.

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  9. My problem is not fliping that switch prematurely. But this is great advice and to not make this desition is a desasterous mistake. Thanks for the article.

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  11. I don’t consider it a bad intention, but I live violence of action. The ability to protect myself and family is focused on using the amount of force necessary to remain safe and free. The idea is to always have a plan, and always be prepared to implement that plan. Violence of action has nothing to do with violence, it has everything to do with preparedness. If you are prepared to respond, you are alert and you conduct yourself that way others will see that and avoid targeting you. If you are targeted you are now ready to respond as needed and prepared to defend yourself and others.
    I am just a normal guy, but if required to respond I understand my limitations. I am not going to fight fair, I am not going to run away, I am going respond and win or lose the other person will know I was prepared.
    Violence of Action!

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  12. I have always believed why wait for the first blood to be a family member friend or my own. I never in the past have had formal self defense training. On the other side of the coin i have many friends some deceased now. That were kind to teach some survival skills.

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  14. Hi Dean,
    I AM 110% WITH YOU!!! I am no tough guy but I refuse to lay down and take the nonsense. The way the streets are now-a-days, one must always be on guard and be prepared to act at all cost. I enjoy recieving and reading your E-mails, Have learned alot of valuable information from them…..

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  15. I’m ready to go at any given moment but I will not start a fight. This is something everyone needs to think about before a conflict. Very good conversation piece. Thanks.

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  16. When I was in high school l was a band student. On one out of town band trip a band student older than me and considerably larger and heavier than me tried to take away my seat on the school bus. I refused to give up the seat. It was close to midnight and we had a long trip head of us. The bus driver did not know what was happening, but I refused to give up my seat and stood my ground.

    The older student refrained from a physical confrontation on the bus but threatened to beat me up when we got back in town and got off the bus. I did not show or feel any fear of fighting the bully and consented to fight.

    As we began leaving the bus the bully approached me and requested we forget the fight and go home. I consented, and that was the end of it. Some bullies are full of hot air and some are serious. I do not remember ever backing down from a bully in my youth nor did I fear them. I mostly refrained from starting trouble but did not cower from it either.

    I am now 74 years old and realize that things today are not like they were when I was young.

    It is wise to avoid verbal or physical confrontations when possible, and important these days to have a legal means of defense when one is out and about. It also is important to look around your surroundings and stay aware of any potential threats.

    Times have changed.

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  17. Jim West is UPRIGHTLY ACCURATE !! I have never wait for being set into my LIFE threatening complicated situation to determine what to do !! I always and always I AM and will always be CONSCIOUSLY aware in alert immutable attention to RECOGNIZES ahead of any complication arise , to SUDDENLY and ABRUPTLY cross the LINE between benevolent kindness gentle respectful courtesy calm serene patience tolerant patience , and VIOLENCE BRUTALLY BESTIAL WILDEST FIERY LETHAL INJURING DEVASTATING IMPACT ATTACKing to kill within fractions of one (1) second each nearest assaulting aggressors plotting intimidations and/or deceiving attitudes against me or any naive(s) innocent helpless people !!!! Always my Natural Living Body Brain’s Neuronal PLASMA cells Mindset is to suddenly without signalings becomes the ATTACKER rather than wait for been attacked !!!! Aggression to kill has been and is and will always be my self preservation survival secure safest easiest and fastest SELF Protective only and unique resource !!!! Thank you all !! Sincerely ; Adanr R Vivas-Vogel

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  19. I’m so appreciative of your tips and videos I would like to say thank you for getting my self esteem back. Please keep me in the loop.??

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  21. I have a lot of self defense training. This is the most proactive statement I have heard in a long time spot on. In training there were no blocks only strike on your aggressor.

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  22. I have training in self preservation from my tour in Vietnam as a recon grunt… I have a Fl cwp and practice shoot monthly. I can click the flight or fight button faster than most, with the precision of a warrior!
    Need no refresher course or tactical advice as I’m already dug in and will be standing in a pile of brass when found dead…protecting my family and myself.
    Terry “scruf”

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  24. To me a person that has bad intentions is potentially a bully and I don’t put up with bullies,I just strike first,strike hard and put them out.In other word’s I kick there ass so fast they don’t have a chance,that is how me and my 6 brother’s where taught by our Dad,he said gettem down and keep them down and he also taught us who ever gets in the first punch has the fight half won!His philosophy was don’t start no shit,but don’t take no shit ! ! I am 67 year’s old and it has worked for me all my life.

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  25. This is something I worry about. I have always been told to be nice. I am 66, broken right wrist and blind in one eye. What could I do to defend myself? I do not want my grown boys to die trying to defend me. I have guns, knives, even a blow gun..I can use all except now for the most important, my gun. My wrist won’t allow the recoil of it. Ideas?

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  26. Jan Can Sickle, learn to shoot left-handed. You might be surprised at how well you do. You don’t have the bad habits shooting “weak handed” that you do shooting with your strong hand.
    As far as the “Bad Intentions” pep talk? All I can say is, “Uh, yeah, DUH!”
    When I read that the philosophy of Aikido is strictly self defense, and to be perfectly performed, the subject should suffer NO INJURY, I just laughed and decided that was the most worthless form of “self defense” ever created. As long as your attacker can keep attacking, he’s going to keep attacking…unless you give him a good reason not to. I find a really solid thwak to the bridge of the nose with a palm heal, with your core behind that strike, will put most men on their knees without breaking your own hand. If you happen to be a woman, about 5’3″ tall like me, they will ALWAYS underestimate you, which is my best weapon right off the bat. Then, while they can’t see because their eyes are watering so bad, take out the knees, maybe a good solarplexis strike to knock the wind out of him,(maybe break the cartilage off at the base of the sternum, puncturing the liver) , and when you KNOW he/she is no longer a threat, you can end your attack…I mean self defense tactics. Because everyone knows, the best defense is a really great offense.
    Btw, that’s if you get caught without any weapons. I much prefer to have weapons if I can. And, if the bonehead is in really close. I prefer to keep my distance. So many things to keep in mind….

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  27. I don’t know how to go about answering this but, I have had to pull out my pistol on somebody 3 times in the last 20 years. I am 72 now and my accident happened at 33 years old. I never carried any weapons till after my accident. I have no problem making the first move if need be. It seams like it has been worse sense my accident and gotten older.

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  28. I used to do Tae Kwon Do when I was younger and more flexible. Now that I’m older l can’t do some of those fancy kicks anymore. But I remember my instructor saying the same thing. Act soft to throw your attacker off and strike when you get the opportunity.

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  29. I’ve been in martial arts since I was a kid and your videos have show me other things that I can use to help defend myself and get the opponent to back off and I’m not afraid to use them thank you

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  30. Yes, one must change one’s mindset. Difficult to exactly set the point at which one becomes the aggressor. More on that would be helpful.

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  31. I agree, it’s me or them and it definitely isn’t going to be ME! Make the switch fast and be on your toes, thanks for a heads up!

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  32. An old Scottish proverb comes to mind: “Twice armed he whose blow is just, thrice armed he whose blow is fust (first). Just make sure that first blow is justified and effective.

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  33. You hit the nail on the head !! I
    m 65 years old and have lead a very hard life. 6′-150lbs.,no training in self-defense,but have had many,many encounters in various situations and have always prevailed.I’ve always felt that it was because I’ve always acted and never thought about it.Being a doorman/bouncer,I’ve observed ,assessed then acted accordingly.BUT, you are not ALWAYS afforded the luxury of having the time to access !

    Wild Bill from Alaska.

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  34. Very good article. I was lucky to have had a father who taught us how to wrestle and fight. It taught us how to protect ourselves. My philosophy is I would rather be judged by twelve then carried by six. Keep up the good work. Great job.

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  36. Since I was a child growing up on the Rosebud anf Pine Ridge Reservations, I’ve had to fight and fight hard. From older bullies to non-natives who loved to terrorize us. I’d run ehen I could snd fight when I couldn’t. I learned to fight viciously because I didn’t like the stamina and energy expended on toe to toe fighting. Most of my opposers didn’t like my unfair fighting, but this wasn’t a game to me as it was to them. So I fought as dirty as I needed to. Then I learned about Japanese Dirt Fighting and using my opponents energies against him. I studied that for more than twenty years. One of the best techniques I learned was the art of fighting without fighting. Most aggressors depend on intimidation and fear. Once they know they have control, they can do anything they want and the victim will comply. But when confronted by a calm relaxed non-victim, their brovado quickly fades. Then they’re faced with a fight or flight situation. Since most aggressors are basic cowards, they’ll usually choose flight.
    I’ve been faced diwn with a knife, a gun, and other such weapons and come out of it with nary a scratch. I just let them realize….very truthfully and with complete honesty, that I am perfectly willing to fight to the death without fear. I’ve ended many a confrontation that way. But the few that didn’t belive me found that I meant business. My goal has and always will be to end a battle as quickly and with as much lethality as the moment required. I don’t care for endurace battles. I want to end and de-escalate the threat as quickly and as painfully as possible. Fortunately, I haven’t had to take them to the pain that often. De-escalation has been my most successful tool in self-defense. I don’t go looking for a fight, but I won’t allow intimidation or fear. I am 61 now and I still win confrontations without physical use of force. However, I am ready with my TRS Spikes and my TRS Fangs (which I carry on my person), at all times. If all else fails, I will use them without hesitation.

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  37. I am in my 60’s. been in the service. DOD police and the Philadelphia police dept. I am not quite as quick and tough as I used to be but with your help, I always have the SPIKE, the pen and a fixed blade along with a firearm with me. Your free blogs, training and the DVD’s I have purchased i.e knife throwing, kraf maga, etc… have helped immensely in the prepping to NOT become a victim. Your product, follow-ups and support are invaluable. Thank you very much for all of your assistance and guidance.

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  38. As always you have wise advice for the real world. Those who plan to fight you have the advantage because they can plan attack and determine the best location on their terms.

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  41. You’re so right. I was in the military and I have since retired. And as we all should know you should not pull a gun on somebody unless you intend on using it! That goes the same for knives or other types of self defense weapons.

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  43. I LOVE this email! When I was a kid, I went to a Jr. high school (grades 7,8, &9) whee some very rough kids from a school across town were bussed. I got picked on and beat up constantly. Partially because I was a late bloomer and very short, and partially because I was a “peacenik”. I was also very scared of the tough kids. As three years passed, I slowly changed. Tired of getting bullied, I began fighting back. Then I realized that I es still getting hurt – sometimes bad, and still often coming out the loose in a scrap. As we got older, the fights grew more and more viscious. Eventually, I decided I was going to hurt them before they had a chance to hurt me, and I became very viscious myself. I also got a VERY short fuse. For awhile too short and o got into trouble and was suspended a few times. Gradually, my fuse got longer, but I still kind of have the mindset of, ” If I can see what looks like inevitable trouble, I’m going to try my best to hurt you bad enough that you can’t hurt me”. In high school and shortly after, I did (and I’m not too proud of it) hurt a couple guys badly and permanently. One came for me with a bicycle chain and I evened the score with a 3 foot piece of 2″X6″. That fight ended quickly when I fractured his skull. Actually, thought I’d killed him for a few days. The other just wouldn’t allow me to gracefully back out of a fight. Even though I said he could call himself the winner! When I saw there was no way out, I determined to get the first punch in, and hoped it was the coup de grace. Well, it turned out to be as he went over backwards like a big ole tree. About four or five minutes later he said, “Fankf”. I said, “Thanks?! For what?” And he replied, “You knocked my teef out!” I struck a lighter and sure enough, 2 of his teeth were still in my knuckles and his jaw was busted. He had to have maxillofacial reconstructive surgery.

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  45. I was raised several years of my young life in a ghetto. I was a white kid who had to learn to both run and fight and determine which was the best course of action in that moment. So bad intentions comes easily to me. I lacked discipline to know when to stop though and it almost got me into more trouble than I thought it would. So the Army and taking martial arts helped me with discipline. I now know when to turn it off and on almost instantly. I find if I project confidence it can be felt by those around me. Not by being cocky but being aware of my surroundings at all times. I taught my wife how to do that and it has served her well in would be attacker. She pulled her pistol and stood her ground looking directly at her attacker with an intensity that said I am trained and will use it on you. He fled. I’m proud of her. So yes bad intentions must be a a part of your life or you may end up in a morgue. Thanks for this blog and the insight it provides. It’s necessary in a world of violent possibilities.

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  46. If you don’t realize it there are allot of females that get emails from this site, It’s not hard for me to switch, but allot of females don’t understand it unless the danger would involve their children. I get emails from them wanting a deeper understanding of *switching * so would you please go slightly more in depth about the things you talk about for all the ladies that have bought things to protect themselves. Thank you
    Janet Makinen

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  48. Depending on the situation, in my condition I would have to stick him or shoot him. I would have no problem doing this if my life was in danger.

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  49. Thanks. This ties up with what I have said to potential gun buyers too. Be prepared mentally to go into action and live with the consequences (that you have killed a person in self defense) and live with it. Otherwise you are going to be a victim. Even if you use the gun effectively, but you’re not mentally prepared to live with the fact of having killed, you are going to be a victim of your conscience bugging you for the rest of your life. The problem is that we think that bad-ass is wrong, which it is not. It is in the manner you apply that bad-assness that right and wrong comes to the fore. The bottom line is, be prepared mentally and physically and then give it to him in equal measures, or more, but stop the threat. And there are no rules in this scenario. He’s wrong and you are going to stop him using everything you can find at that moment. Yourself being the prime weapon at all times.

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  50. Being wheelchair bound I see alot of possible ” threats ” so when I do go outI already have a mindet to protect myself or self preservation thank you as always for the insite

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