| Martial-artists often look for scenarios to practice | | | | specific problems... and benefits. |
| that mimic reality. The closer they can get to | | | | The Entrance Itself |
| mimicking a real emergency in practice, the better | | | | Does your door open inward or outward? If you |
| their chance of responding efficiently in a real | | | | are going to use the door itself as a weapon, |
| self-defense encounter. The following scenario | | | | then it makes a difference. |
| consideration is just what the martial-arts | | | | Do you have a wide doorway or a narrow one? |
| practitioner ordered... | | | | If you want to push your attacker into a door |
| Defending Doorways and Hallways, "Stage One" | | | | frame, then you need room to maneuver. |
| In many of my articles, and even one of my | | | | Is your door a single or a double? A double door |
| books, I suggest that you practice defending your | | | | can be both a blessing and a curse, depending |
| loved ones. You put them behind you, for | | | | how solidly locked the second door is, or whether |
| example, down a hall or on the other side of the | | | | both can swing freely. |
| door. Then you keep your practice partners from | | | | Also, doorknob placement and style will make a |
| getting past you to your relative or significant | | | | difference, if once again, you are using the door |
| other. | | | | as a weapon or as an object to throw your |
| This is a good place to start. | | | | attacker against. |
| Grab a stuffed animal, your favorite teddy bear, | | | | Note: Be careful during practice. You don't want to |
| and put it behind you. It will represent your family | | | | injure your practice partner. Take safety |
| member or loved one. | | | | precautions, please. |
| Now, take about five steps forward. Position your | | | | Martial-Arts Inside and Outside |
| partner in front of you, and keep him or her from | | | | Besides the door, look at your entrance. Would |
| getting past you to the fuzzy critter. | | | | you be able to push your attacker down stairs, |
| Where Do You Live? | | | | into a locked bicycle, or against a mailbox? You |
| Defending from a hall or doorway is a good start, | | | | could even push an attacker into a handrail. |
| but now it's time to make your practice session | | | | Also look right inside your doorway. Is there a |
| even more practical. By practical, I mean tailored | | | | table that would prevent you from moving into a |
| to your living situation. | | | | good defense position? Do you have room to |
| Take a moment and think about where you live. | | | | move and to prevent your aggressor from |
| Your home will become the location for your | | | | getting inside? |
| scenario practice. | | | | If you practice now, maybe you'll be able to |
| Can you get a practice partner to train at your | | | | efficiently shut and lock your door on a real |
| house? Defending your own domicile lends itself to | | | | intruder. |