Self-Defence Is Not a Fair Fight part 1

By Sensei Liam Musiak

Let’s be clear — self-defence is not a fight. It’s not a mutual test of toughness or skill. It’s not something you agree to. It’s about survival — fast, messy, and unforgiving. The moment you treat it like a fair contest, you’re already at a disadvantage.

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Most Attackers Won’t Even Put a Guard Up

In the real world, attackers don’t square up like in movies or sparring matches. Most attackers won’t raise a guard at all. They don’t want you to know they’re going to hit you. They want to take you by surprise. It could be:

• A sucker punch mid-conversation.

• A grab while you’re distracted.

• A hidden knife.

• A shove that turns into a beatdown.

• A group surrounding you with one hitting from the side or behind.

Why? Because real attackers don’t want a fair fight — they want an advantage. Putting up a guard warns you. It gives you a chance to react. That’s the last thing they want. If someone’s truly violent, they’ll just do it — fast and without warning.

Now yes, once in a while, someone will put their fists up and say “come on then.” But these people are usually trying to intimidate you, not actually attack. And even if they do go for it, you’ll often have a chance to de-escalate or avoid the confrontation entirely. These situations are rare — maybe one in a thousand.

But if someone has time to raise their guard and prepare, and you’re still standing there unready, you’ve already lost the element of surprise. You’ve let them take control of the situation. And that’s not what self-defence is about.

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Pre-Emptive Striking: Don’t Wait to Be Hit

That’s why I teach pre-emptive striking. If you genuinely believe an attack is coming — strike first. Don’t wait to be hurt. Don’t give them a chance to follow through.

• Hit the eyes

• Strike the throat or groin

• Disrupt them and escape immediately

And yes, UK law allows this. Self-defence law is based on what you genuinely believed was about to happen — not what actually happened. If:

• You were not the aggressor, and

• You honestly believed you were about to be attacked,

then a pre-emptive strike is legal, as long as your response was reasonable and proportionate to the perceived threat.

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The A.A.E.E.L Code – Real-World Self-Defence Framework

To give my students a clear, usable system to rely on under pressure, I developed the A.A.E.E.L Code — a five-step guide for navigating violent situations ethically, effectively, and within the law.

A – Assess

Before anything physical happens, assess the full picture.

• What is the threat?

• Are there multiple attackers?

• Is there a weapon?

• Where are the exits, entrances, and obstacles?

• What improvised tools or barriers can you use?

A – Action

This is the physical response.

• If you believe an attack is about to happen — pre-emptively strike.

• If it’s already happening — defend, block, move, and counter.

E – Ethical

Only use the force required to stop the threat. Never go beyond what’s necessary. You’re defending life, not feeding ego.

E – Escape

Always look for the way out. Self-defence isn’t about “winning” — it’s about surviving. Get away the moment you can.

L – Legal

UK law supports you when your actions are genuine, necessary, and proportionate. Know your rights and train with the law in mind.

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Final Thought: Survival Is the Only Goal

If you find yourself squaring up to someone like it’s a sparring match, you’ve already lost the advantage. Self-defence isn’t about honour, it’s about making it home alive.

Real attackers don’t play fair. They don’t posture. They don’t warn you.

That’s why your training, mindset, and response must be faster, smarter, and more committed than they expect.

Remember the A.A.E.E.L Code. Train to react — not to fight. Strike first if you truly believe you’re in danger. And always act with clarity, legality, and intent.

– Sensei Liam Musiak

Founder of Voracious Karate | Developer of the A.A.E.E.L Self-Defence Code