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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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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. Jim case…… I set a rule if a person is aggressive I leave a 6 foot leeway. That’s if the agresser has no knife. Once they come into my 6 foot space well is over for them….

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  2. I was in a situation the other day where this exact attitude came into play. An aggressive driver cut me off in heavy traffic and would have created an accident had I not acted defensively. When I finally drove up next to him he looked at me and began tapping a baseball bat on the passenger window. My reactions were immediate. I laughed at him while reaching for the “Legal” weapons that I maintain in my vehicle. All of my actions were hidden below the window and were done in such a way as not to call attention to what I was doing.

    He actions gave me all of the information that I required to deal with my opponent. Hopefully, nothing I did informed him that I was more than ready to deal with his aggressiveness. On a positive note he finally drove away and left me alone. Everything relied on remaining calm, being confident in my abilities, and my willingness to take action should the event demand it.

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  4. I have had a few encounters and I have used a line my father taught me as a boy to great effect.
    I believe and I can prove, that if you’re close enough to punch your prey in the eye, you’re close enough to drop the thumb and take the eye. Once the prey is blinded in one eye, going into shock and their face is covered with their own blood they are much easier to negotiate with and the magic line is “do you want to lose the other one?” The good news is that the worse criminal charge that can be brought against you for doing this is Assault to cause grievous bodily harm, not attempted murder, or manslaughter or even murder. It is also a very easy thing to defend in court as long as you back off and return to negotiation, especially if you act as though the loss of the eye was an accident if people are watching and there is always someone watching.

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  5. I am one of the very few combat veterans a woman! I fixed tanks and drop them off like 3 a.m. in the morning for the 101Airborne unit and alsoDelta Force units. A lot of my crap is not even unclassified! My problem is is that I’m a little bit broke up due to the fact that I’ve been shot got hit by a tank and some other issues. I know I can tear a person up however, my problem is I’m not sure if I can move quick enough I got my right arm snapped in half however I’m left-handed so I need one quick move to take out my opponent. Any quick suggestions I also have a prosthetic right ankle? It’s not the fact that I’m going to rip the s*** out of somebody it’s the fact that it’s going to take a lot of energy to hurt them I would love to know one quick move instead of ripping their throat out. Oh, my neck and my back where fractured I’m too old for this s*** so I need one good move!

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  6. You’re right, so right. We are taught to be nice, ignore or evade a bad person and to stop him, attack or kill him is wrong, like it’s all your fault. If you are a woman, it’s much more told to you to be ladylike at all times. This doesn’t apply if you’re being attacked on the street but how to defend yourself isn’t mentioned. Good of you to keep this up on the web.

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  8. So in the past I have reacted, they went to the hospital and I get charged and then sued. It’s that simple the law protects criminals and asses who want to harm us. Having a layer on retainer is ok but I don’t need to loose all I’ve worked for in this day and age.

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  9. Apparently, nowadays the problem is you have to prove that you had no other choice than to fight back and then you have to meet the criteria for self defense versus assault or murder be it intentional or accidental.

    Personally, I prefer to defend myself and only humiliate the attacker by not allowing them to hurt me. That is okay when someone is being stupid, drunk, or just a mean jerk, but in a life and death encounter where they intend to hurt, maim and kill then they might be lucky to receive a warning unless they just lunge at me. I don’t care for eye gouges as that is permanent, but I can live with using punches, kicks, slaps, and broken bones and bruises as a result which should be allowed and expected by the law. Or if I was armed, they might end up dead. And so many criminals use guns, so that almost calls for us to shoot them before they can shoot us or others.

    The problem is the law, courts and lawyers who criminalize the innocent and try to empathize and show sympathy for the criminals. The desire to not show bias creates an unfair playing field for those who are just trying to survive. This is what bothers me more than living with hurting another human even if it’s totally called for and justifiable. Fear of prosecution and prison is what causes me to worry if I go all out and whop ass. Even though I might have to and want to survive an attack, it worries me.

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  11. Bad intentions, and supreme confidence win every time. Here is a real example: I had the occasion to piss off two giant longshoremen at a bar in Seattle. The owner, a Gung Fu Master had the wisdom to send me out to coffee with a 7-year student of his, I was a neophyte student. They were waiting in the parking lot, ‘Bob’ the experienced student convinced the raging guys it was in their best interest to just leave. They left. ‘Bob was about 5’-8″ wussy looking guy, but he had Bad Intentions. This was the a real-time lesson for me.

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  12. I was bullied as a kid, so I can flip the switch very fast. I like what Jim West teaches and I think he is right on. Keep it coming Mr. West.

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  13. Yes the video is really badass! I’m an almost 66 year old former 5th Group Green Beret Black Ops. Am currently struggling to get my muscle tone and flexibility back. Have several of the DVDs from 5 and 6 years ago. Have been trying to build them into my repertoire. Thanks for these video updates and for your help. Yours Talon.

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  14. Always taught my kids to never start a fight. Try to talk and walk away without fighting. If they start the fight and there is no way out, take them down. Finish the fight, make sure they don’t get up, and you walk away. You don’t have permanently hurt the person but make sure they more than feel the pain and that they know they lost the fight. Then you walk away.

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  17. couldn’t have said it better myself. You nailed it right on the spot. I had a different childhood than most kids, and learned to turn my switch on/off at an early age.
    -peace bro 🙂

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  18. My former Muay Thai instructor always told me, if it feels like a fight, it is a fight. I’ve never been one to demostrate bad intentions, however, if my family, friends or myself are in danger that’s the level I have and will take it to. I’ve had several years of martial art instruction and application and have learned honor and respect from some of that best coaches I’ve ever worked with but they have alsi taught me to take care of myself when the going gets tough. That statement right there tells me to crush my enemy and find an exit and safety as soon as possible. You have to also survey your situation and don’t be stupid with your intentions. If you’re outnumbered find the quickest exit and path to safety you can and don’t be a hero. Finally, make sure you pick your battles correctly, try not to get hurt and and keep you, your family and your friends safe.

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  20. Never had the problem of not having bad intentions when in a fight and the Corp helped to make sure it came out from the beginning of the fight

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  21. Well put.. and so true.. We all know the truth, but what do we fear the most ? Losing, maybe all. Or the law that is dead set on making us the bad guy for defending ourselves?? Is something very wrong in our system??

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  22. I agree tha when conflict is inevitable, ,the best defense is anexpedient agressive offense that shoild be carried out swiftly and efficiently and should neutralize the agressor in less than one minute.

    the best defense is an agressiveoffense

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  23. I believe that when conflict is inevitable, the best defense is anexpedient agressive ofense that should be effectively and swiftly executed. In less than a minute the opponent should be out of commision.

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  24. I always appreciate your teachings and explanations, YOU x_ have greatly raised my awareness and my assessing skills. I hope I never have to,use them, but I am fully ready to quickly and decisively protect and defend my wife and myself with the full force and fury necessary to assure that we get to go home.

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  25. I have never been injured on the streets even though I have lived in crap neighborhoods, weaved my way past all kinds of thugs, and walked, or ridden buses at odd hours most of my adult life. I try to exude bad intentions and I constantly am doing situational analysis.

    I avoid what appears to be trouble whenever I can. However, I do not shy away when a challenge to my life or safety occurs. I act first by taking a fighting stance and confronting the threat with immediate and decisive force.

    A group of young punks confronted me as a liar when I said they couldn’t “bum” cigarettes, because I don’t smoke. I was carrying home groceries and had both hands full.

    By the time they tried surrounding me, two were down with stinging shins my steel toe boots had caused and a third was stumbling around bitching about how the bags of groceries I swung had broken his nose. The rest were fleeing away from the crazy man kicking, spitting, shouting, swinging, and swearing.

    Besides a few broken eggs no harm came to me. If I had hesitated or played the victim a weeks worth of groceries would have been carried off by assholes and I would have been taken to a hospital by ambulance.

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  26. Hey Jim this from another vet who was In 90~91 Desert Storm I am Rick or like some them liked to King Richard ! Thanks brother for your Service and I’m sure your proud of our Women Veterns also ! What hell I was an Army Reservist when I got Activated! Thanks Again Brother

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  27. I’m 85with Heart problems, had 5 sense 92, heart keeps trying to stop driving Dr crazy. Love Trump would do anything for him, hr’s Great.
    I’m a retired USAF combat Vet, retired from the NMCC in the Pentagon in 72 worked in the Airline industry as Director of Engineering , Sales and Customer support for South America and the Caribbean retired again in 97. Basically I’m finished and Very Tired of the BS in Washington. Trump is trying hard. Wife is very Ill, bed ridden. We are now living in a Retirement community in Hot Springs Ar.
    Just don’t have much time or money left, except to live and Dr bills. You guys must continue to push. God Bless.

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  28. JOHN

    I AM A U.S.ARMY VET. I KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS AND DO JUST WHAT IS NEED TO BE DONE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ARRESTED. I CARRY LEAGAL WEAPONS OFCOURSE. JIM YOU ARE 100 PERCENT CORRECT ABOUT TURNING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF. IT IS ALSO VERY VERY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE TRAIN IN PERSONAL AND WEAPONS SELF DEFENSE FOR DAY OR NIGHT ATTACKS, IN YOUR HOME AND OUT IN PUBLIC. GREAT INFO JIM.

    THANK YOU

    NORTHDAKOTA

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  30. It all started in neighborhood Bar after work BEERS, my 30-year-old Daughter screams and yells DAD ? it was one got finished was like episode CSI three of US beat down pretty much the WHOLE place. I do have the court appearance tickets to prove it, SO I Have one of these switches but it adjusts to the situation. most the time just living LIFE BUT when necessary I do put everything I got INTO what need be done.

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  31. Partly due to my training in the corp and partly from travaling in unfamiliar places its easier for me to flip the switch than some. My only comment would be act decisively and follow through. Dont wait to see what effect a move or strike might have had rather stay offensive until the threat ie your attacker is no longer a threat to you.

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  33. Good article. At my age (70) I do sometimes feel vulnerable in certain situations. It’s all about the mindset…! Thanks for resetting mine!

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  34. Hi all love all the articles and the gifts , but live in Scotland and these gifts would not get through customs. Happy living to all cheers.

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  35. If someone comes at me with ill intentions my mind goes to knees.nuts.or throat only. When they are in the ground crying then a kick to the face for forcing me into that situation.

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  36. most of the commentary…. A life or death situation, where you really hurt or kill someone, you really don’t talk about later. And certainly not as if it happens all the time. or every time you go to the bar. Or 1 min. Or someone in “your” 6 ft space.

    If you said any of that bs thing: you don’t understand yet what the man said or trying to teach you.

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  37. Jim is 100% correct! When YOU perceive that you are going to get your butt handed to you on a platter, get angry about it. Don’t fight to “survive” at this point, fight to seriously hurt your attacker. Under no circumstance fight fair!! Break his kneecap, pull his balls off, bite his earlobe or nose off, stick your fingers up his nose and pull it loose from his face, stick your fingers in his eyes until he screams. There are lots more of these simple, but devastating moves you can learn on websites. Always be looking for the next unprotected area to hurt him. Gotta go. Thanks for this article. B. N. US Army Capt., Ret., Intel. (Texas)

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  38. I am ready, the thought of all the violence going on around us all the time. Rapes, car jackings, murders, has me on high alert all the time. Fight Fast has shown me many tips to ending these situations in a hurry. I also follow Tim Larkens TFT tips. I am prepared to flip that switch as soon as I see danger coming. Thanks for another great tip!

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  39. The “LOOK” a bad guy looks in your eyes and sees something that tells him to run while he can, don’t go there! There are people that know and are willing to kill, maim, or hospitalize them the “alpha dogs” that walk among the sheep. Unless you have the “LOOK” you won’t understand.

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  40. Good stuff, I agree we should always be kind and respectful to others however by no means should we ever let our guard down. We also need to enter any situation with the mindset that this is serious and react so. Can I do everything I have to do to stop an attacker? I would like to think so, especially when it comes to protecting friends and family. These articles and tips are a big help, keep em coming. Thank you until next time GOD Bless.

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  41. I would agree that overcoming our fear not of the thug of whom we should be afraid, but of our greater fear of the Law and the cops. We are indoctrinated not to fight.

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  42. I’ve long been into Fitness and Combat Sports. I wouldn’t want to use these skills. Recently I saw a nice bloke getting knocked out while Sparring, and I found it very disturbing. And some techniques are so gruesome you’d inevitably look like the Bad Guy in Court. But maybe this is part of the secret. If violence is repulsive to you, maybe you have less of a problem dealing with aggressors who have a taste for it. And it’s sure going to look better in Court.

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  43. I’m quite satisfied with my personal response, as a matter of a fact besides the one on one fights, I was able to handle small groups of 4 and 8 ( the latter they were a bunch of drunks! )

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  44. I always freeze so it doesn’t matter what my intention is because I can’t think or do anything when my adrenaline gets going. I’ve been training to fight my whole life but when I need it sometimes it’s not there. Except the times I’ve been drinking and got in a fight. For some reason even though I’m not thinking when it happens muscle memory just seems to take over and it’s like I can’t be touched. How can I make my training kick in in stressful situations with out having to be drunk all the time? I like to have a drink sometimes but it’s not something I would want to do all the time. Lol

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  45. Awesome ,insight! Very informative as well as accurate. In a fight or flight situation, I will certainly keep these points in mind ,and utilize as much as possible. Had a neighbor get robbed she had gave the intruder all he asked for in a timely non- rebellious manor , he thanked her and shot her in her face neck and body she survived , but is not only physically damaged but emotionally as well. Had information such as this been readily available 6 years ago , and she read it , would have been an entirely different outcome!!! Thank you for your wisdom and generosity,, GOD BLESS ,, Steve

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  46. I ahree with everything in this article because as I was taught in unarmed combat during my time in the military it is all about how far your mind will allow you to go. Will you go all the way or stop and let the enemy get up.

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  47. Because I and my husband are both elderly and physically challenged I would pray to God to send help. I cannot force myself to think I could inflict hurt on another human as neither one of us has the physical abilities. He has a concealed carry certificate but refuses to carry.

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  48. Hurting a criminal doesn’t bother me. It’s the aftermath of being accused as the instigator, the person who should have diffused the situation thru reasoning or understanding before stopping the attacker by violent means. The finger gets pointed at us, unless we end up dead or injured. Then we’re ok. That worry about the aftermath of a self defense situation can cause us to pause just long enough to become dead or injured. I’m 65 years old, trained in martial art ( some krav maga, some JKD, and too much traditional drek), plus I carry a concealed weapon. I still am required to ascertain in a matter of seconds if I’m in danger of extreme bodily harm. Trust me, at my age, I’m a target, and yet I worry that I’ll react to slowly because I’ll be thought of as the criminal. Just p..see me off.

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  49. Hi Jim,

    Thanks for the great advice! You’re analysis of the thought process of a person being attacked is right on.

    Many years ago, I was attacked in a parking lot, and lucky for me, they were just kids that quickly realized that they would have to run after their initial attack.

    My initial thoughts about the impending attack were “This can’t be happening to me” and before I knew it, I had a bloody nose and the attackers fled with some goods they stole from me.

    Thank God I just got a bloody (and broken) nose and a damaged ego.

    Now I know better, and if it happens again, I have your excellent advice to get me past that moment of hesitation, where I come to realize that normal behavior (i.e. polite social interaction) won’t work and that I must take control immediately to avoid injury or worse.

    Thanks again, Jim!

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  50. As a retired Infantryman, I know precisely what is meant by “flipping the switch”.
    It is not an option, it’s a matter of living or dying.
    Back here in the States, there’s the Law to consider, and while not everyone can invest the time and build the skills to become a blackbelt in a martial art as I have, there’s always the question of “how far?”
    Of course, each situation is different, but I do have a standing SOP for how I will (generally) operate.
    For me, it’s simple – if they do not have an obvious weapon, I’ll take them down, but try to leave them breathing.
    If they have any sort of weapon, then THEY have decided for me just how hard I will go, – I MUST treat them as if they intend to kill me, and act accordingly.
    Period.

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