| Be Engaged (Committed, as to a cause.) When a | | | | they should attack or not.) At this point your |
| situation presents itself, it is time to engage. I will | | | | eyes go from a soft gaze to direct eye contact. |
| talk about the first and best way to engage | | | | Engaging your stalwart voice |
| through assertive behavior. Assertive behavior | | | | · You should never insult, threaten, |
| gives the assailant or would be attacker, the | | | | aggravate, or challenge an aggressor. |
| knowledge that you aren't an easy target by | | | | · Ask them a question like: What do you |
| using eye contact, a stalwart (firm and resolute) | | | | want? A person whom isn't looking to victimize |
| voice, proper posture, and hand placement. | | | | you will give you a normal answer. If they don't |
| Engaging your eye's | | | | respond or give you an answer not to your liking, |
| · When you feel something isn't right or | | | | be prepared for an attack. |
| see a suspicious person, let them know you know | | | | · Use a firm fearless voice to yell stop! |
| they are there and you are watching them | | | | Back off! |
| intently without fear: even if you are afraid, don't | | | | Engaging with proper posture and Hand Placement |
| show it. Let them know you don't want to be | | | | · Keep your hands up at shoulder height; |
| bothered or desire to speak with them. You don't | | | | this gives you the appearance of submitting while |
| want them to think you are a threat or | | | | having your hands in the perfect defensive |
| challenging. That all sounds great, but how do you | | | | posture to block or strike. |
| accomplish so much with just your eyes? | | | | · Move your feet to a staggered position |
| · Look at them with soft eyes, in other | | | | for better balance and to set yourself up to |
| words as a whole. Never focus hard on any | | | | defend or strike. |
| particular part of them, or look your assailant | | | | · Never appear weak by slumping over. |
| directly in the eyes. That can be seen as both | | | | Instead, stand with good posture and keep your |
| threatening and challenging. | | | | backstraight which gives you strength and power |
| · The chest area is the most important | | | | should you have to move. |
| place to keep your soft eyes. Why? It allows you | | | | In summary |
| to view their core body (chest, hips, arms and | | | | This is by no means a thorough description of |
| hands); by watching these parts you will be aware | | | | engaging, but a jumping off point to peak your |
| of any advances or imminent attacks. | | | | interest and motivate you to train and learn self |
| · If the situation has already gone past | | | | defense. Proper training and knowledge could be |
| the point of soft eyes; you will know because | | | | the difference between life and death. Not only |
| they will be sizing you up, threatening you, and | | | | will you gain peace of mind and self confidence |
| even challenging you or in other words | | | | you will find yourself having a completely new |
| "Conducting the interview." (Conducting the | | | | outlook on life. Remember the best time to learn |
| interview is what each assailant does to size up a | | | | your lesson about personal security and self |
| person; during this process they decide whether | | | | defense is before something happens. |