Only by creating this profile can we hope to have an advantage to destroy a switched on opponent.
The use of tactical deception is usually used in conjunction with a variety of "ready" stances for self protection purposes. The most relevant and widely used are;
* THE BODYGUARD - Hands crossed over the groin or mid-line.
* JACK BENNY - Hand cupping chin and resting on a horizontal forearm
* ARMS FOLDED - Arms laying one on top of another horizontally
* HANDS UP - a submissive open palms facing out gesture
These are excellent default start points. They provide the individual with a series of options for pre-emptive striking. From here you can launch off into a series of punches, open hand strikes and elbows. They also give you the option to cover up and fend if YOU are pre-empted. Don't worry about blocking or all types of trendy cover positions with exotic sounding names, just throw those hands and forearms up to protect the head and neck area ASAP!
To take the concept of tactical deception one step futher, say the introduction of a weapon - either an edged weapon or firearm - into the mix then the tactics of deception are even more relevant. In order to access the weapon we sometimes need that reactionary gap, even of only a few seconds, in order to draw our weapon whilst under lethal attack. Difficult yes, but not impossible. The deception will take the form of one of several procedures;
* RUSES - which offer a clever lie to decieve the opponents thought process ("Didn't I go to your wedding??")
* DISTRACTIONS - which divert the opponents concentration and awareness (" Theres a Police car pulling up behind you")
* MANIPULATION - which can interrupt the opponents physical application (Covering up his eyes/face)
There are of course MANY more subtle variations on these principles and concepts, but from a base standard these are fine examples which which to work from for street survival.
Of course there are numerous precedents of this from instructors and combatants from the past. W.E. Fairbairn was known to have practised and studied the use of sleight of hand tricks from stage magicians specifically for his knife fighting techniques, the street style of Savate practises the art of "Malice" using deception tactics and dirty fighting, and there was reputedly an extreme form of violence that emanated from Denmark called Maso, in which practioners would willingly put themselves in harm's way in order to win over a bigger tactical advantage against an opponent. Not for everyone I'm sure, but in extremis it may work for some people!
From these deception tools we can create enough of a time lag to either fend off or use the weapon that we have at our disposal. And use the weapon we must. If we've taken the time to judge that the situation warrants the use of extreme force, then any hesitation could have serious consequences for our own survival of the situation.
Use that OFF hand to disrupt and distract, whilst letting the WEAPON hand destroy. That's the reality of weapon based deception. It's sneaky, underhanded and dirty play. Yep. And boy does it take the fight to the enemy on YOUR terms.
When all things are equal (and whenever is it when violence is involved) deception is one small tool in a larger tool box. Used in the correct context it can pay untold dividends and help stop a violent assault, either by allowing you to escape fom the situation or by giving you the opportunity to hit hard, fast and first!
And as we get older we SHOULD use every tactical advantage against a possibly younger, stronger or armed opponent, and take heed of the saying "Age, experience and CUNNING will beat youth and enthusiasm often enough to win."
I started this article with a quote and I will leave you with a quote that expresses perfectly the use of deception tactics for military conflict, business or for self protection. It is by Lord Ismay in his foreword to the1953 book about the allied deception plan codenamed Operation Mincemeat "The Man Who Never Was"
"To mystify and mislead the enemy has always been one of the cardinal principles of war. Consequently, ruses de guerre of one kind or another have played a part in almost every campaign ever since the episode of the Trojan horse, or perhaps, even earlier. The game has been played for so long that it is not easy to think out new methods of disguising one's strengths or one's intentions. Moreover, meticulous care must be excercised in the planning and executions of the schemes. Otherwise, far from decieving the enemy, they merely give the show away."
Modern Combatives Group - 2009