A.A.E.E.L Self Defence Code

"Self-defence isn’t about winning fights—it’s about staying safe and going home. In Voracious Karate, we follow a simple but powerful principle called A.A.E.E.L. to guide our actions in real-world situations.

It stands for:

👉 Assess – Situational Awareness & Risk Evaluation

👉 Action – The Defence, Attack, or Counterattack

👉 Ethical – Control & Assess

👉 Escape – Get to Safety

👉 Legal – Report & Justify

Let’s break it down.

1️⃣ Assess – Situational Awareness & Risk Evaluation

The best self-defence starts before a fight even begins. Being aware of your surroundings gives you a huge advantage in avoiding danger altogether.

🔹 Scan your environment – Where are the exits? Who is nearby?

🔹 Observe behaviour – Are there warning signs of aggression?

🔹 Trust your instincts – If something feels off, take early action.

🔹 Position yourself wisely – Don’t get cornered or trapped.

The best fight is the one you avoid. If you see trouble coming, remove yourself before it escalates.

2️⃣ Action – The Defence, Attack, or Counterattack

If avoidance isn’t possible, you must act fast. This is where your training takes over.

🔹 If you’re attacked, you defend – block, evade, or control.

🔹 If needed, you counterattack – strike to create an opportunity to escape.

🔹 If escape isn’t an option, you attack first to protect yourself.

Your goal is not to “win” a fight—it’s to end the immediate threat as quickly as possible.

3️⃣ Ethical – Control & Assess

Once the attacker is no longer a threat, you stop. We are martial artists, not aggressors.

🔹 We use only the necessary force to protect ourselves.

🔹 If the attacker backs off, we don’t continue attacking.

🔹 Continuing to attack when they are no longer a threat is not self-defence—it’s assault.

Our power comes with responsibility. We fight to protect, not to destroy.

4️⃣ Escape – Get to Safety

This is the most important step. Staying in a fight longer than necessary puts you at risk.

🔹 If there’s an opening, run.

🔹 If you can de-escalate before it turns violent, do it.

🔹 If you stay and fight, you risk more attackers, weapons, or legal trouble.

Even if you’re the better fighter, there is no honour in staying just to fight. Smart warriors know when to leave.

5️⃣ Legal – Report & Justify

If the police get involved, you need to be able to justify your actions.

🔹 Self-defence must always be reasonable and justified.

🔹 If questioned by police, say:

"I defended myself because I felt threatened. I only used enough force to escape."

By following A.A.E.E.L., you ensure you stay safe, in control, and legally protected.

Final Thought

"A true warrior doesn’t seek conflict, but is always ready for it. Train to be prepared, act with control, and always prioritise safety."