Mindset & De-escalation

Think first, act second. This lesson gives you a practical framework to avoid, defuse, or exit problems —
and make lawful, ethical choices when avoidance fails.

🧠 Mindset (Operating Priorities)

Mission: Go home safe with your people. Ego is not the mission.
Defaults: Avoid → Create distance → Use barriers → Call help.
Training reality: You don’t rise to the occasion; you fall to your habits. Build the right ones.

① Situational Awareness (quick recap)

Yellow: Relaxed awareness — head up, hands free, light scan, note exits/people.
Orange: Specific concern — form a plan: change path, add distance, use a barrier.
Red: Act deliberately: move, verbalize, disengage; defend only if unavoidable and lawful.

② Managing Unknown Contacts (MUC)

Posture: Hands at chest height (non-threat), bladed stance, athletic base.
Space: Keep two arm-lengths minimum; angle off rather than backing straight up forever.
Voice: Calm, short commands. “Sorry — can’t help. Please stay back.” Repeat once, louder.
Movement: Step to maintain distance; put a barrier (car, counter, bench) between you and them.

③ De-escalation Tools (Do/Don’t)

Do: Lower tone, slow cadence, use open hands, acknowledge (“I hear you”), offer exits (“Let’s both walk away”).

Don’t: Close distance, point or poke, insult, threaten, or trap yourself in corners.

④ Boundary Phrases (script it now)

Neutral: “I can’t help you. Please stay back.”
Firm: “Back up now. Do not come closer.”
Loud/public: “Stop! Do not touch me! I don’t want trouble!” (draws witnesses/cameras)

⑤ Decision Checks (Is force lawful/necessary?)

Ability • Opportunity • Intent present now?
Can I avoid or break contact safely right now?
Backstop? If I defend, where do my misses/over-penetration go?

Legal reminder: Deadly force is for an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm. When the threat stops, your force stops.

👣 Exiting Cleanly (Post-Incident Basics)

Call 911 early when appropriate: “I was attacked; send police and medical. I am at [location].”
Be the first good narrator. Identify yourself as the victim; point out witnesses/evidence.
Say: “I’ll cooperate fully. I will give a full statement after speaking with my attorney.”

🧪 Scenario Prompts (verbal reps)

Parking lot approach at night: what do you say and how do you move?
Panhandler closing distance with hands hidden: what boundary phrase and angle do you use?
Heated argument near family: how do you exit with them safely?

✅ Quick Self-Check

Give your neutral and firm boundary phrases from memory.
Name two barriers you can create in a typical parking lot.
List the three elements (A-O-I) you’ll verify before considering force.

Coach’s note: Practice the words, posture, and step-offs at home.
Under stress, you’ll default to what you’ve rehearsed.