Q: 

 I have a question about the types of criminals that are out there. Are street people usually more dangerous than your "average" criminals? Basically, I'm talking about the types of opponents that can take hits really good such as street people themselves or ex-convicts (if you've seen the Metallica video, St. Anger, with all those San Quentin inmates, you will see what  I'm talking about). Those are the people I'm really training for.

 Speaking of street people, I had a run in with one just recently. It was last Thursday evening when I was waiting at a bus transit way station. Basically, some kid (16-17yrs) was trying to hit me up for spare change. He had buddies, but they were several feet away. I said I was broke and moved on. 5 min. later he emerged again and asked me again. I said the same answer and he kept asking me with a hint of anger in his voice.  I just stood my ground and said I was broke. He finally walked away and jumped on a bus with his buddies. I think he gave up because I wouldn't give in. I felt the "pre-combat" jitters,  though (in my fighting system, we call it the "Threat zone"). Oh, well. I didn't fight at least, but it was close. I didn't want to because (a) he was young and there were quite a few  people around (bystanders and Transit Law Enforcement officers) and (b) it wasn't worth spending half the night with law enforcement articulating my incident afterwards.

A:

Consider a street person on his turf with a group of his buddies around to boost his self -esteem and act as his back up. When you have that combination and you add in a little bit of opportunity, desire and or desperation you may very well have a dangerous element. I would hesitate to stereotype the average criminal. Remove this young tuff guy from his element and you will most likely be dealing with a different person or at least a different mindset. The most dangerous people I have dealt with have possessed a determined mindset and have displayed a lack of fear (or I should say a control of fear or the ability to use fear to his advantage) and a I-have-nothing-to-lose attitude, however, we all have the ability to attain this mindset. For example, threaten harm to a member of my family and I promise you I will be twice as strong, twice as fast, feel no pain and you will have to take my last breath before I stop.

Regarding people that you say, you're really training for, those that can take a good hit, again, I go back to the mind set of a person and people under the influence of drugs and or alcohol. They all have the potential to “feel no pain” and in many cases the only thing that stops them is a carotid choke or a Taser. In your training you have to consider how you're going to deal with this type of energy and how your mind will handle the fact that you have just given this guy you best stuff and it has had no effect on him. If your not prepared it can be your downfall.

I have been in max security prisons and interviewed and dealt with people that would not think twice about killing you and I have also dealt with mentally deranged or sick individuals that don’t know the difference between right and wrong. They might rape, beat or kill you and then sit down and watch cartoons without giving you a second thought. To say that I am uncomfortable with the thought that these kind of people are on this planet is an understatement.

It sounds like you handled your situation well and apparently did not project yourself as a victim. Close your eyes and visualize yourself in a variety of situations. Really focus and you will find your heart rate increase and that fight /flight syndrome (killer instinct) kicks in. Good luck and keep training!

Steve Kardian