🥊✈️ 18 Times

[2 min read]

Paulo Simoes
February 27, 2025

In partnership with

[2 min read]

👋 Hey Warrior,

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt pressured to react, but something held you back?

Maybe you were sparring and your opponent kept pushing you…

…or a confrontation on the street where someone was testing your boundaries.

The question is, when do you finally draw that "line in the sand?"

I train both civilians and law enforcement officers, and one of the drills I use to teach this concept is called "Line in the Sand."

Here's how it works:

One partner aggressively pushes the other, over and over, until the student finally decides to react.

The point is to help students understand their own personal threshold for when they're willing to engage in a physical confrontation.

I once had a police officer in my class who got pushed over 18 times before I stopped the drill!

On the other hand, I've had students who react after the first push.

So, which is better? Reacting after one push or 18 pushes?

The Answer: It Depends

The truth is, there's no single right answer.

The best approach depends on the individual, the situation, and the context.

Here are a few things to think about when deciding where your "line in the sand" is:

The Severity of the Threat: Is the person just being annoying, or are they truly a threat to your safety?
The Legal and Ethical Implications: What are the laws in your area regarding self-defense? What are your personal ethical boundaries?
Your Confidence and Skills: How confident are you in your ability to defend yourself if necessary?
The Potential Consequences: What are the potential consequences of reacting vs. not reacting?

The key is to find a balance between being assertive and avoiding unnecessary conflict.

You need to be able to stand up for yourself when necessary, but you also don't want to overreact to every little provocation.

Remember, Warrior, self-defense is not just about fighting…

…it's about awareness, knowledge, and making the right choices under pressure.

Train hard, stay informed, and always be prepared to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of self-preservation.

Stay Strong,

Paul Simoes

P.S. Tomorrow, we'll wrap up this week's theme with a recap and more insights to help you master the art of the first strike.

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