Self-defence: The OODA loop

The OODA loop: An essential self-defence tool

The OODA loop is an integral part of my teaching when I train professionals such as specialist educators.

It's not a question here of adding a purely theoretical slide to my training, but rather of integrating an essential component of what is for me an effective personal defence.

Self-defence is much more than a question of physical strength or martial technique. It also involves strategic mental skills, capable of telling the difference between a favourable outcome and a dangerous situation.

Among these skills, the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act), developed by Colonel John Boyd, is a powerful tool that can transform your approach to self-defence.

This article explores the OODA loop and its practical application to keeping you safe.

What is the OODA loop?

The OODA loop is a decision support model created in a military context by Colonel John Boyd, a fighter pilot in the US Air Force. Initially designed to improve the performance of combat pilots, it has since established itself as a tool suitable for a wide range of fields, including self-defence.

Here are the four stages of the OODA loop:

Observe Gather information available in your environment.
Orient Analysing information and understanding the situation.
Decide Choose the best action to take.
Act : Implement your decision quickly and efficiently.

The aim of the loop is simple: to be faster and more adaptive than your opponent. In a self-defence situation, these steps can be vital.

The OODA loop applied to self-defence

1. Observe: The power of proactive observation

In a self-defence situation, everything starts with careful observation. This means actively monitoring your environment for signs of potential danger. Here's how to improve this step:

Use your senses Listen to ambient noise, observe the behaviour of people around you and be alert to changes in your environment.
Analyses alarm signals A person who seems nervous or acts unpredictably can be a threat.
Preserves an overview Avoid focusing on a single element. The extent of your peripheral vision is crucial for anticipating movements.

Good observation reduces surprise and gives you a head start on a potential threat.

2. Orientation: Understanding the context

Once the information has been collected, it is time to interpret it. This stage involves contextualising the data observed and comparing the options available. In a self-defence scenario, orientation is influenced by :

Your previous experience : If you've already been faced with similar situations, you'll be better equipped to react.
Your ability to manage stress Stress can cloud your judgement. Control your breathing to stay focused.
Ground rules Analyse the elements specific to your environment. An enclosed space, for example, requires a different approach to an open space.

In self-defence, particular attention must be paid to the hands of the person facing you.

Don't forget that 90 % of the time, we can't see the weapon used by our opponent. This is largely due to the tunnel effect, itself a consequence of fear.

Hence the importance of this orientation stage...don't forget... "Hidden hand, armed hand".

Good orientation helps you anticipate your opponent's actions and understand the constraints of the moment.

3. Decide: choose an appropriate response

Having interpreted the situation, it's time to make a decision. This phase can seem stressful because it involves taking risks. However, a quick and considered decision is essential to take control of the situation.

Prepare for several scenarios : Practise mentally evaluating different possible outcomes.
Keep it simple A complex solution takes time to implement. Opt for direct and efficient answers.
Put your safety first Make decisions based on reducing the danger to yourself and those around you.

A good decision-maker keeps calm and remains flexible if the situation changes.

4. Taking action : Going on the offensive or the defensive

The action phase is where you carry out the decision you have made. In self-defence, this stage must be quick, precise and decisive. Here are a few tips:

Be determined Hesitant action can put you in danger. Decisive action often destabilises the aggressor.
Use your skills Apply the self-defence techniques you've learnt. Prioritise techniques that use gross motor skills rather than fine motor skills (I'll be writing an article on this shortly).
Withdraw if possible : If the situation allows it, fleeing may be the best option to guarantee your safety and avoid the consequences of a conflict.

Action is the final step, but it must be carried out strategically and effectively.

Practical application: An unexpected slap

Let's get down to business. Imagine: you're sitting there quietly, and bam! someone slaps you without warning. It stings, doesn't it? So what happened in the OODA loop? What did you miss?

Observe : Clearly, you've missed the episode. If you haven't picked up on the warning signs - like a strange posture, a tone of voice that's a little too aggressive or a hand that starts to rise - then you haven't been observing your surroundings enough. Result: total surprise.
Orient Let's say you vaguely perceived a gesture, but your brain was still thinking about the dinner menu. Bad point. You didn't interpret the threat correctly, and voilà, the slap came before you could act.
Decide (FR) Once the slap has gone, it's a bit late to decide, isn't it? But it just goes to show that without quick observation and orientation, there's not enough time between the other person's action and your reaction. You were too slow.
Act And now? If you're still wondering why you didn't see this coming, you've missed the opportunity to block, dodge or, better still, anticipate. The result: a red cheek and probably a bruised ego if it stops there, but if it continues... you're back in a loop... you've distanced yourself, so you know the situation and you can start again... Observe etc...

Practical lesson This kind of situation shows that everything starts with observation and orientation. If you want to avoid unpleasant surprises, practise picking up on the weak signals around you. And if you get caught out again... well, at least you've got a good story to tell!

Rethink the tense situations in your life using the OODA loop.

Take two minutes and think about the times when you've been caught unawares in a tense situation. That group of people you spotted a little further along the pavement but chose to ignore because "it's not done to change tack for no reason". Why didn't you cross? Perhaps social conventions held you back, but at what cost?

Observe Your brain had already picked up on one piece of information: this group seemed unusual, perhaps threatening. But you didn't act on this observation or listen to your subconscious...
Orient The mistake here is often cultural or psychological. "I'm going to look stupid crossing the road" or "I don't want to appear paranoid". In fact, this step was skipped because you underestimated the importance of context.
Decide : No proactive decision. You chose to continue without adjusting your trajectory.

What's next? If you do an honest audit, you'll see that many of these situations could have been avoided by following your instincts. Next time, cross the street if you feel like it. And if someone judges you, tell yourself that they won't be there to deal with the consequences if your instincts were right.

As I'm wont to say in training, a little bluntly:

"If it smells like shit, tastes like shit and has the texture of shit, it's definitely shit.

Why is the OODA loop effective in self-defence?

The power of the OODA loop lies in its ability to simplify complex scenarios and break them down into logical steps. By using it, you :

Save time By making quick, well-informed decisions, you reduce your opponent's opportunities.
Maintain the initiative If you are in control of the situation, your opponent will have to react to your actions or at least limit the delay in your response, for example by having a passive guard because you have anticipated.
Stay adaptive : The loop allows you to adjust as the situation evolves.

How to incorporate the OODA loop into your self-defence training

To master the OODA loop, it's important to incorporate it into your training routine. Here are some practical strategies:

Simulated scenarios Practice reacting to realistic situations with a partner or in a group. This strengthens your ability to observe, guide, decide and act under pressure.
Meditation and stress management : Learn to calm your mind so you can react effectively at critical moments.
Post-situation analysis After each scenario, evaluate your choices and identify possible improvements.

Conclusion

The OODA loop is not just a military theory: it's a practical tool for navigating critical situations with confidence and precision. In self-defence, it enables you to anticipate danger, stay focused under pressure and react adaptively. With regular practice, you'll be better prepared to deal with unpredictable scenarios and keep yourself safe.

At the end of the day, remember that the ultimate goal of self-defence is to stay safe, and the OODA loop is a valuable ally in achieving that goal.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment...

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