Science PFA

One of the biggest problems that students encounter in their attempts to master self-defense, is the use and control of distance. And yet, learning to control the distance between you and your attacker is probably THE most important skill that you could ever master.

This isn’t just something that those new to martial arts or the science of self-defense have trouble with. On the contrary, intermediate and advanced practitioners are guilty of ignoring this critically important element of combat.

While many would disagree with me, citing how adept they are at always being at the right place to deliver their kick or punch, they overlook the other side of the coin, so-to-speak. What do I mean? I mean this – they may be able to control their own distance to their opponent’s targets, but…how good are they at controlling their attacker’s ability to get at their own?

In an attack situation, if you’re really applying the principles and concepts of a solid self-defense science (as opposed to just throwing a bunch of stuff at the attacker – hoping for the best!), you MUST control his perceptions about what he has available to him. And one of the best ways for you to do this is to control the distance and space between yourself and your assailant.

Again, to most martial art students or those learning a self-defense program, distance is limited to the “style” or philosophy being taught. Some schools prescribe to the “too far away to be hit,” philosophy, while others suggest that you “get in there” and jam him up.

The reality of life is that, you just can’t predict some things, so you have to be flexible and able to adapt. But, before I go any further in this discussion, let’s take a look at two possible scenarios. Okay?

First… What if you’re a really good wrestler, grappler, judo guy, whatever? And what if you;re really good at getting in there and taking the fight to the opponent. And…

…what if you run into someone who’s really good at punching, kicking, or especially good at using their knees? What if you run into someone who just won’t let you get close enough to “get in?”

Or… What if you’re really good at punching and kicking, you know, keeping a guy in your sights and slamming him every time he gets close-enough. But…

…what if you get blind-sided by an assailant who comes at you from the side or the rear. What if you’re suddenly in a bearhug or being scooped up and driven into the ground?

This debate about “which style is better” has been raging for as long as human beings thought in a dualistic manner. In the science of self-defense, you have to understand that you need options to be most successful. And thinking in a limited, one-way-only fashion will get you killed.

The reality is that, you not only need to be good at both of these ranges, but three more as well.

If you’re surprised to find that there are as many as five different ranges in a self-defense situation or street fight – any fight, actually – you’re not alone.

To understand these ranges more fully though, you have to have more weapons then just fists, feet, shins, etc. You have to expand your realm of experience beyond the normal perspective of most people, and at least of most attackers that you might have to defend yourself against.

The 5 Ranges In The Science of Self-Defense

Mastering each type of distance allows you to control, not only your attacker’s ability to hit certain targets, but also to control his perceptions about:

What type of fighter you are
What you know
What you’re able to do to him
What his own options and strategy needs to be

You also control subtle, personal things that your attacker isn’t normally aware of – let alone in control of. Things like his emotional state, level of determination or anxiety, and his concern for his own safety and self-preservation.

The five ranges in the science of self-defense are:

1) Too Far – This one may seem obvious but so few practitioners, student and teach alike, take advantage of this range in a self-defense situation. Everyone understands what it means to be too far away, but few understand what you should be doing at that range to control the situation.

2) Long Range – This is the distance where reaching kicks are typically launched. We need the longer distance due to the length of our outstretched legs. This is also the range of what I call “lunging” punches, where you step forward with the rear leg to deliver the strike.

3) Mid-Range – About arms-length from the attacker, this range puts you at a distance where many of the long-range kicks usually associated with karate and tae-kwon-do no longer fit. Here, the typical attacks include lead-hand “jabs,” front snap kicks, and even some knee strikes from the rear leg, to name just a few.

4) Close-Range – Here, the distance has been closed to what we might also call “grappling” distance. Where single-hand lapel, sleeve, or wrist grabs might occur as a controlling factor at mid-range, close range tactics usually involve both combatants taking hold of each other in a conventional wresting scenario. But, be careful and make sure that you’re not overlooking the fact that close-range strikes like elbows, lifting knees and shins to the gut or groin, or even headbutts can be delivered at this distance.

And finally…

5) Very Close-Range – At this distance, there really appears to be no distance at all. The attacker and defender are wrapped around each other with no space to do much but apparently hold on and use what muscle you have to both control and restrain. But, if we can change our perspective, or at the very least get out of the sport competition mindset and remember that we’re trying to protect ourselves from damage – to defend ourselves and go home – then we can see that other tactics like biting, skin grabs, and very close-range strikes are possible.

Controlling the distance allows you to control the fight. And I don’t just mean controlling your opponent. I mean, “controlling the fight” – controlling what “type” of fight you’re in.

It’s important to understand that old warrior motto: “flexibility leads to longevity.” If you have the ability to adapt and change your own tactics, including the ranges that you feel comfortable in during a self-defense situation, you will be miles ahead of any attacker’s capabilities to keep up with you. You’ll also last longer too!