HOW TO MAKE TACTICAL DECISIONS DURING VIOLENCE



As many of you know when adrenaline hits making a simple decision can be a difficult thing to do. You’re at an altered state unable to think clear and at times even have a hard time remembering something as simple as your name when it comes to an all out violent attack. Everything is a blur and is absolute chaos.

So unless you constantly train yourself to make tactical decisions during an adrenalized state will you be able to succeed at tactical thinking. So how do you become a skilled tactical thinker?


One way of going about it is the next time your training and going through adrenal stress training (this is mock fighting scenarios with a training partner but without knowing how the scenario will play out so your forced to improvise while fighting at full speed as your wearing protective body armor).


Have someone ask you a series of questions while you are fighting your training partner. Questions like “When is your wife’s birthday?” or “What does 7x7 + 16 =?” What this does is get you to problem solve when you’re under extreme stress as you are fighting and disarming your training partner.




This in turn teaches you how to think through and make critical decisions during an adrenalized state. You will then be able to think tactically when using violence and things won’t seem to be a blur or haze and you will feel in control of the situation. You will be better off on picking and choosing targets when you see openings and be able to see and use objects around you to help you take out your enemy. The bottom line is by training this way you avoid making haphazard decisions on the street which could cost you your life or worse yet the life of someone you love.


Remember your mind is your most powerful weapon and you must train your brain just as much as you train your body so you can use violence effectively and to your advantage.


There’s no such thing as a dirty fighter only an educated one.

Norm Bettencourt

CAN YOU KILL A MAN WITH ONE OR TWO BLOWS?

Hi Everyone,

In today’s post I would like to discuss empty handed “kill shots” or “deadly strikes” and if they actually exist or work.

First I would like to mention that yes a man can be taken out and killed with a single blow. There are cases where a man has been punched once in the head and has fallen to the ground and has knocked his head on the concrete and has been killed due to this trauma but the reality of this actually happening is very low.

When it comes to successfully using violent trauma to someone many variables come into play. Remember adrenaline increases your pain threshold, prepares the human body for combat by doing a number of things internally to protect the body from trauma (I won’t bore you with the medical terminology and try to show you how smart I am).


Other variables such as the receiver of the trauma defending themselves and moving around making it much more difficult to strike these “kill targets” accurately. Take for example striking someone in the temple the odds of actually taking another person’s life while striking this area is very slim remember in an altercation no one is static, people are consistently moving, dodging, fighting back and slipping strikes. It becomes extremely difficult for most people to strike the temple right on the button. Even if you were to strike the temple with perfect execution the odds of the person dying are still slim.



Realistically it is extremely rare and very difficult to kill with one or two strikes regardless of who you are, think you are or what combat system you have taken. The human body is very resilient and can take on a ton of punishment.

NOTE: Your success of killing someone will increase if you use a weapon to cause trauma to your enemy’s body but this is still not a guarantee for a successful kill.


This can be proven simply by listening to the news and hearing of people who have suffered severe blunt trauma by multiple attackers or multiple stab and gun shot wounds and have lived to tell about them. These are not just 1- 2 stab wounds to vital areas but multiple stabbings occurring 13-15 times to their body.


There are even more extreme cases where people have survived trauma in a high speed motor vehicle accidents or being pinned under a semi truck in a motor vehicle accident. Once again the human body can take a massive beating.


So when I hear of combat instructors indicating that there system teaches how to break necks or shows kill shots with minimal strikes I always shake my head in disbelief and hope people are not hanging on to these people’s claims or else they are going to be in for a very rude awakening.



So my suggestion to reader’s is look into the information you are receiving not by asking questions to your instructor because they are bias but by asking questions to those who know the human body best and those people are physicians. They will set you straight without any bullshit.

Remember there is no such thing as a dirty fighter only an educated one.

Norm Bettencourt

Back Up Weapons: Useful or Useless?


Hi everyone,

In today’s post I would like to discuss the topic of back up or secondary weapons and how useful they actually are for people that carry one in an event that their primary weapon has been disarmed from them.

I would first like to discuss the reality of how accessible it is to obtain your “primary weapon” during an adrenaline dump/rush situation. Many people assume that if they have a weapon on themselves and if crap hits the fan then it will be easy to deploy and use on their attacker. The fact is that this is far from the actual truth.

When your body is affected by adrenaline the simplest of tasks are extremely difficult to perform especially tasks that are based around fine motor skill which weapons deployment falls under this category.


You can put this theory to the test by striking a punching dummy/bag at full speed and power or spar with a training partner. As you are executing your hand to hand skills have someone yell out “deploy” at any given moment. When they do see how fast you can actually deploy your “primary weapon” of choice. The odds will be that you are slow, sloppy and will fumble around trying to get to your weapon as you’re being attacked. You usually will not be able to deploy it or if you do the reality is that if it were in a real violent situation you would be severely injured to get to it and use it in time.




Now think in terms of trying to obtain your “secondary/back up weapon” in the same given scenario but instead of deploying your weapon from an obtainable area such a belt (primary weapon is usually a folding or fixed blade clip knife etc) this time from an area such as a boot (boot knives are usually back up weapons of choice). What you’re going to find that this is going to be even more complicated and difficult to deploy your weapon during an adrenalized state. You are now going to have to lower yourself down to the ground to reach your boot knife while trying to raise your pant leg as you’re fighting someone off. This position makes you extremely vulnerable to attack.


Many of men have had themselves assaulted without having a fighting chance to deploy their primary let alone their secondary weapon. The only way you are actually going to have success in deploying your weapon is if it is deployed before the physical altercation has taken place (this is where situational awareness is vital) and not during and if it is during the odds of success have been drastically lowered.

Now don’t get me wrong weapons are good to carry but don’t be overconfident with them especially with back up weapons. Bottom line they are only obtainable if you have time to get to them but during the heat of the moment it’s easier said then done.

So the next time your training in weapons deployment try what I have previously suggested but add a twist to it. Wear a pair of gloves preferably Kevlar gloves when practicing drawing and retaining your weapon that way you prevent your hand from being cut. This will give you a realistic feel on how it actually feels when you’re trying to deploy and retain your weapon when under the stress of adrenaline. This will also condition your hands to have better grip strength when using a weapon under stressful situations.





There’s no such thing as a dirty fighter only an educated one.

Norm Bettencourt

BELT BUCKLE KNIVES FOR SELF DEFENSE

Hi everyone,

In today’s post I would like to discuss belt buckle knives for self defense purposes. As you know if you have been reading my posts for awhile now that I am not much of a fan of folding knives and many of the belt buckle knives come in a folding knife model.

Folding knives take much longer to deploy and open. It takes 2 steps to deploy (pull it out of the buckle area then opening the blade) compared to a fixed blade which only takes one step to deploy (pull knife out of stealth and that’s it). Also you have a greater possibly to losing your knife if you are trying to fiddle around trying to open it especially under stressful situations (fine motor skill which goes out the window during an adrenaline dump). Folding knives are also weaker and much smaller than a fixed blade on a belt buckle knife.


I also prefer a belt buckle knife over any other type of knife such as a clip on knife attached to a belt, pocket etc. This goes with boot knives as well because realistically you are not going to be able to bend down and pull your knife from your boot during an all out altercation. Belt buckle knives are easy to get to when seconds count.


That is why I like this Valois belt buckle knife model because it’s simple and very quick to deploy and feels great in your hand even with such a curvature that exists on the handle. It feels very natural when I am gripping it in my hand.



The knife is completely concealed inside the belt buckle and there is no need to worry when you’re bending over if your going to get your guts ripped out because the stealth is solid and high quality so the blade won’t penetrate through the stealth.




Belt Buckle Has A Hidden Stealth Knife

Belt 1-1/4" wide X 54" long & easily adjusted to any size

Quality Stainless Steel knife with 3-1/2" Blade

Overall length of knife is 7-1/2"

Weight 1.5lbs.

Partially serrated and straight blade



I am not an affiliate of any type regarding this knife but have been using it for the last mouth and feel it’s a great weapon to have for self defense purposes. Just Google “Valois Belt Buckle Knife” and you will find countless sites that sell this product. Prices will vary from site to site. Happy shopping!

Till the next time, remember there is no such thing as a dirty fighter only an educated one.

Norm Bettencourt

HOW TO MAKE YOUR SELF DEFENSE WEAPONS SEEM INNOCENT IN NATURE

Hi everyone,

I love the quote stating “I rather be judged by twelve than be carried by six”. I myself agree with this quote completely and rather face a judge and jury of twelve and deal with the legal consequences of using deadly force then holding back on my attack and getting killed and have six of my closest friends carry my casket because I was afraid of the legal consequences of my actions if I ended up killing some scum bag trying to harm me or my loved ones.


This goes with what I like to talk about in today’s post. I would like to discuss how to soften things up when it comes to your true intentions with your weapon that you choose to use for self defense purposes in case you go to court for using it. Now regardless if you are in the right or wrong to use your self defense weapon which is the jury’s job to decide it is your lawyer’s responsibility to prove that you were in the right regardless of the circumstances of the situation.


So here are some suggestions that may help your case and make yourself look a little bit softer and innocent in the eyes of the jury regarding your intentions and purposes for using and having your self defense weapon. Now before I begin I would like to mention that I have made a post in the past that goes along with this regarding what to say to law enforcement after you have used force to protect yourself. I suggest you check it out if you haven’t done so already. The post is entitled “What to Say to Law Enforcement after Using Violence”.


Bottom line the post states if you’re asked questions posed by law enforcement after you have used violence to protect yourself state that “I feared for my safety and life and that is why I took the actions that I did”. You then ask for your attorney and state that you will say nothing else until your attorney is present to instruct you.


Now here are some things you can do to make your intentions seem a little softer and innocent when it comes to your intentions on using & carrying weapons for self defense purposes.


If you use a baseball bat as a self defense weapon regardless where it’s stored (car/home) make sure to also have a ball and glove placed next to it so it looks like your intentions for having such an item around is for sport related purposes. By just having a bat lying around can be seen as having bad intentions. This goes with other items such as chains, crow bar, tire iron etc make sure they are stored next to items that relate to them such as tools.



If you carry a knife on your persons instead of carrying a big survival knife which makes you look like a paranoid nut bag carry a smaller utility knife or even a pink knife so it looks like you intentions for carrying such an item is innocent and for work related purposes only. Remember it not the size of the knife that matters but knowing how to use it that counts. Try to also comply with blade length regulation laws in your area.



In many states and provinces carrying pepper spray is illegal. Instead carry perfume or men’s spray such as “Axe” in your purse or man purse bag. Spraying such products into someone’s eyes will burn and impair the person’s vision. You can also place near your doorways at home wasp/hornet spray which can shoot up to 20 feet in distance and will stop an S.O.B from entering your home. Be aware that this stuff can be lethal but once again I will take my chances if it protects my loved ones and me. Air fresheners can be placed around the home as well to use as an improvised pepper spray.


Here is a trick that I teach escorts that will work with females who are having a date in there home. Place a pot of water on your stove and boil the water moments before your date is coming over. Keep the water hot by leaving it on the element. If crap hits the fan pick up the pot and throw the water onto your attacker. This can also be done with any drink in a night club to impair someone’s vision so you can follow through with a more devastating tactic. When walking on the street and your holding a hot cup of coffee or beverage throw it into you enemies face then run or follow through to finish him off.


So all of these items that I have suggested their primary purpose is either for sporting purposes or are basic household items or items designed for your personal enjoyment. They were conveniently around at the time when you were being attacked and due to you fearing for your safety and life were the reason why you picked up these items and used them as a weapon to protect your family and yourself with. Hopefully this will help you look a little softer and innocent in the eyes of a judge and jury if you ever have to use force to protect yourself and hopefully will help the jury buy into your story.


So take a look at what you have around as weapons and see how you can make them blend in into your daily life so they seem innocent in nature to have around.


Till the next time remember there is no such thing as a dirty fighter only an educated one.

Norm Bettencourt

A No NO In MY Books When It Comes To Self Defense

Hi everyone,

When it comes to combat there are a few principles that I try to emphasis to all my students when they are in an altercation. One principle I emphasis is to avoid bending down or going on top of your enemy (mounting him) when executing your assault on him.

To many times I see inexperienced combat instructor’s leaning over or mounting their enemy or dropping down to the ground to strike or knee the back of their enemies’ neck or base of the skull to take them out. Now the tactic itself of striking the back of the neck or base of the skull is effective, what’s not effective is to lower yourself down to the ground to execute your tactic.

The reason being is that in a street fight there are no rules so by lowering yourself down closer to ground level makes you vulnerable to an attack by multiple attackers or vulnerable to falling over and ending up in a grappling match. Instead stay standing upright on both your feet and just stomp on the base of the skull or back of the neck using the heel of your foot. That way you’re quicker at executing your tactic because you are using the principle based around the economy of movement. Also just incase multiple attackers come into the picture you are in a better position to protect yourself and escape.

So the next time you see a tactic and it involves having to bend over and lower yourself or to drop down to the ground to mount someone try to find another way to execute the same tactic while staying upright.


Remember there’s no such thing as a dirty fighter only an educated one.

Norm Bettencourt

Desensitizing Yourself To Violence

Hi everyone,

If you have been reading my posts for a while you know how much emphasis I place on the mental element of combat. I believe and I can’t repeat this enough that combat is 90% mental and only 10% physical. We need to train our minds to let go of barriers that inhibit us from becoming vile, raw and animalistic when it comes to using violence.

I remember the first time I bit someone in a fight I placed my enemies’ finger into my mouth and bit down hard. As I bit I watched the horror and shock inside my enemies’ eyes. I felt his bone of his finger make contact with my teeth and at that moment in time I knew that if I was going to bite down any harder their would be the sound of crackling bone and the warmth of blood that wasn’t inside my mouth.

I had prepared myself in my training to expect this and to make this event as something normal for me to do just like eating a piece of steak. I was prepared and ready for the brutality that I was to set upon my enemy. When I explain this to new students who come to train with me they all have the same reaction. They tell me that they understand that is something that they might have to do to survive violence but they do not know if they have it in them to rip and tear another human beings flesh off due to its brutality.

This is where the mental training needs to come into play for a person to be able to bite and tear flesh off of another person and be comfortable to have warm blood dripping and human meat dangle from their mouth. Or to be able to stab someone and feel the warmth of their enemies blood dripping on their hand as they penetrate a piece of cold steel deeper into their enemies’ body and watch the life of the person evaporate from their enemies’ eyes as they do so.

These are not tasks that anyone can do and are not like what you see in the movies. They are close quarters and very personal in nature. You need to prepare yourself to be able to do these things. So how do you go about doing this?

1.Go hunting and learn how to kill another animal and skin it. Remember respect nature when doing so by thanking the animal for their sacrifice and only taking an animals life for the purpose of food and not for the excitement of the kill.

2.Meditate vividly on images such as what I have described in this post like biting and tearing the flesh off someone or stabbing someone as you look into their eyes.

3.Look over real life images of someone being violently attacked if you can. There are countless images taken from security cameras in this regard. This will help desensitize you to the horrors’ of violence.

4.View footage from surgery’s or autopsies. Some medical agencies for a fee allow you to view medical professionals dissect a corpse for educational purposes.

5.Train your mind to go into the “Killer Instinct Mindset” when you are threatened with physical violence. More on this at http://www.tactselfdefense.com/fearmanagement.php


So those are just some of the things that helped me along the way to help me break down my mental barriers when it comes to using violence to its full potential.


Remember there is no such thing as a dirty fighter only an educated one.

Norm Bettencourt