Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision Making Under Threat of Violence - Softcover

Rory Miller; Lawrence A. Kane

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1594392501 ISBN 13: 9781594392504

Publisher: YMAA Publication Center, 2012

Synopsis

Summary:

Conflict and violence cover a broad range of behaviors, from intimidation to murder, and require an equally broad range of responses. A kind word will not resolve all situations, nor will wristlocks, punches, or even a gun. Scaling Force introduces the full range of options, from skillfully doing nothing to employing deadly force. You will understand the limits of each type of force, when specific levels may be appropriate, the circumstances under which you may have to apply them, and the potential costs, legally and personally, of your decision.

Full version:

Conflict and violence cover a broad range of behaviors, from intimidation to murder, and requires an equally broad range of response. A kind word will not resolve all situations, nor will wristlocks, punches or even a gun.

If you have mastered punching and kicking, what skills do you have to safely stop two friends from fighting? If you are incredibly skilled at locks and takedowns, is it even possible to apply a submission as a way to escape a lethal threat? If you are an expert marksman, what skills do you have to deal with a teenager who wants to cut her own wrists?

Some people study martial arts for self-defense, yet almost any style you can name focuses on a narrow range of responses, typically empty-hand restraint or less lethal force. High-end skills only come into play in true self-defense situations. Unless you're the bad guy, that usually means you're losing. And everything you know about timing, distance and power generation may not work.

To go through life with a narrow range of skills, hoping any emergency will just, by luck, happen to require the skills you have... that's not a strategy. That is whistling in the dark. It's stupidity.

In Scaling Force Kane and Miller introduce you to the full range of options, from skillfully doing nothing to applying deadly force. They realistically guide you through understanding the limits of each type of force, when specific levels may be appropriate, the circumstances under which you may have to apply them, and the potential cost, legally and personally, of your decision.

It's vital to have a holistic skillset for dealing with every level of violence. You must not only know how to enter this scale at the right level, but also be able to articulate why the amount of force you used was appropriate. Use too much and you're looking at prison time; use too little you are in for a world of hurt.

If you do not know how to succeed at all six levels covered in this book there are situations in which you will have no appropriate options. More often than not, that will end badly.

About this title

From the Author

Praise for Scaling Force:

"If you are serious about learning self-protection, and not indulging some testosterone fuelled, celluloid inspired fantasy, then you need a much wider skill set than most appreciate." -- Iain Abernethy, 6th Dan; British Combat Association Hall of Fame Member

"Both Kane and Miller have hundreds of hands-on violent encounters under their belts. They understand the importance of knowing the legal restrictions of force, how to judge the danger, how to choose the right response level, how to articulate those choices and how to navigate the trap-filled aftermath of violence." -- Marc MacYoung (nononsenseselfdefense.com)
 
"This book is one of the best I've read about the challenges you'll face. Kane and Miller have been there, done that and have the t-shirt. And they're giving you their lessons learned without requiring you to pay the fee in blood they had to in order to learn them. And that is priceless." -- M. Guthrie, Federal Air Marshal
"This is an incredible book that I will insist all my martial arts and firearms students read. It will undoubtedly save lives and hopefully much anguish." -- Ron Breines, Kyoshi, certified firearms/self defense tactical instructor

"If you're serious about learning how the application of physical force works --before, during and after the fact--I cannot recommend this book highly enough." -- Lieutenant Jon Lupo, New York State Police

"When do you walk away from an insult, try to talk down the angry drunk, take a baseball bat to an intruder, shoot an armed robber? With exercises and anecdotes, Scaling Force explores the motivations, the decision spectrum and the consequences, because there are always consequences." -- Julie Van Dielen, Law Enforcement Training Resources (letrainingresources.com)

"Let Kane and Miller, two veterans of countless down-and-dirty confrontations, give you the edge to survive a dangerous situation." -- Loren W. Christensen, 8th dan black belt, author (lwcbooks.com)

"Kane and Miller have written a book that provides much more than a cursory look at some very important elements regarding violence. Scaling Force not only provides tools on how to deal with violence, but also when and to what level you should deal with violence." -- Alain Burrese, J.D., attorney, author, former U.S. Army sniper instructor (aikiproductions.com)

"While instruction on the mechanics and techniques of self defense and deadly force is readily available from multiple sources, this book gives you so much more. Take advantage of the information compiled from hundreds of case studies to better prepare yourself if the day comes when you have to make that 'life changing' decision." -- Tracy Getty, Certified Firearms Instructor

From the Back Cover

Use too much force and you are going to jail.
Use too little force and you're in for a world of hurt.

Conflict and violence cover a broad range of behaviors, from intimidation to murder, and they require an equally broad range of responses. A kind word will not resolve all situations, nor will wristlocks, punches, or even a gun.

In Scaling Force, the authors introduce you to the full range of options, from skillfully doing nothing to applying deadly force. They realistically guide you through understanding the limits of each type of force, when specific levels may be appropriate, the circumstances under which you may have to apply them, and the potential cost, legally and personally, of your decision.

• Level 1: Presence. Staving off violence using body language alone.
• Level 2: Voice. Verbally de-escalating conflict before physical methods become necessary.
• Level 3: Touch. Defusing an impending threat or gaining compliance via touch.
• Level 4: Empty-Hand Restraint. Controlling a threat through pain or forcing compliance through leverage.
• Level 5: Less-Lethal Force. Incapacitating a threat while minimizing the likelihood of fatality or permanent injury.
• Level 6: Lethal Force. Stopping a threat with techniques or implements likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm.

It is vital to enter this scale at the right level, and to articulate why what you did was appropriate. If you do not know how to succeed at all six levels there are situations in which you will have no appropriate options. More often than not, that will end badly.

Edition details

• Publisher: YMAA Publication Center
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1594392501
• ISBN 13: 9781594392504
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 342