May 22, 2025
As a resident of Crawley for over 35 years, I’ve witnessed many changes, one of the most troubling being the rise in knife crime. It feels like every week, local headlines reflect another tragic loss of life—a mother burying her son, or a father mourning his daughter. The disregard for human life seems to grow, and our world is less innocent than it once was.
In such times, being more aware of our surroundings and knowing how to stay safe is essential.
What is Self-Defence Training?
Self-defence is not just about striking or boxing—it’s about equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills to protect yourself and your loved ones, within the law, using reasonable force. At Combat Survival Tactics, self-defence training is designed to teach two main concepts:
- Personal Security Measures (Soft Skills):
- Street-smart tactics focused on avoidance and awareness.
- Physical Applications (Hard Skills):
- Techniques to eliminate a threat when avoidance or escape isn’t possible.
What You’ll Learn:
Self-defence sessions combine soft and hard skills:
- Hard Skills:
- Basic, principle-based techniques designed to work under adrenaline and pressure.
- Hand-to-hand defence, striking, power generation, and targeting vital areas.
- Defence against grabs, chokes, hair pulls, and attacks on the ground.
- Strategies for handling multiple attackers and weapon defence.
- Soft Skills:
- Mindset training, common sense, de-escalation, awareness, and motivation.
- Understanding the physiological and psychological factors of conflict.
- Scenario-based training to test what you’ve learned under pressure, including the use of body armor to simulate real-life situations.
Many martial arts systems are too complex to learn quickly and lack the psychological training needed to overcome fear and survive. Our program provides a solid foundation that combines simplicity, effectiveness, and practicality.
Is Self-Defence Training Worth It?
The value of self-defence depends on factors like where you live, your financial position, and time availability. But the question is: How much do you value your life?
While we live in a relatively safe country compared to others, self-defence training is like an insurance policy—better to have it and not need it than the other way around. Beyond safety, it’s fun, builds confidence, improves fitness, and makes you a harder target.
Our Focus on Weapon Defence:
We take our students’ safety seriously, training them to defend against weapons when escape isn’t possible. By incorporating reality-based self-defence systems and awareness strategies, we ensure you’re prepared for basic but critical situations.
Seven Top Tips for Staying Safe:
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings:
Avoid distractions like phones or music. Predators look for inattentive targets. Stand tall, be alert, and notice anything out of the ordinary. - Trust Your Instincts:
If something feels wrong, act on it. Gut instincts are often right—leave the area immediately. - Protect Your Personal Space:
Don’t let anyone invade your space unless you know and trust them. Maintaining distance gives you time to react or escape. - Use Safe Transportation:
If intoxicated, take a cab or arrange a safe ride home. Avoid walking alone at night. - Stay in Well-Lit Areas:
Stick to main roads and well-lit paths. Avoid shortcuts or isolated areas. - Carry Personal Safety Devices:
Consider legal self-defence tools, such as alarms or sprays, to deter attackers. - Trust the Process:
Invest in self-defence training to gain the knowledge and confidence to stay safe.