Self-defence: The fence

Render unto Geoff what is Geoff's: the revolutionary concept of :

" The Fence".

Geoff Thompson: the philosopher of well-placed shots

You know Chuck Norris, don't you? The guy with the invincible jokes and the action films that rocked our Sunday afternoons. Well, just imagine that this same Chuck Norris personally invited a certain Geoff Thompson to the United States to present him with his first action film. The Fence. Yes, it's no joke: Chuck Norris wanted to understand this masterful technique that combines self-control and self-defence.

But who is Geoff Thompson?
A former nightclub bouncer in Coventry (an English city not exactly known for its glamour), Geoff has spent nights dealing with situations where words could avoid fists... or precede them. More than a brawler, he's a thinker, a close combat strategist. Geoff is like a modern-day ninja with a pen and a microphone.

And Chuck Norris? He approved it. If that doesn't prove the guy's a master, I don't know what does!

Geoff Thompson, prolific author: words that hit as hard as fists

Geoff Thompson doesn't just teach self-defence techniques; he's also written some hard-hitting books. With over 50 books to his creditIt covers everything from the psychology of fear to the art of masterful fighting.

His most famous works include :

• " Watch My Back" his captivating autobiography about his years as a bouncer, which even inspired a film Clubbed.
• " The Art of Fighting Without Fighting" a tribute to Bruce Lee in which he explores the art of defusing conflict with finesse.
• " Fear: The Friend of Exceptional People"(my favourite), where he explores how to transform fear into a powerful tool for overcoming challenges, realising your potential and achieving excellence
• The fence The book from which this article is taken.
• Novels, plays and even award-winning film scripts.

Unfortunately, if you don't speak English, her books have not yet been translated into French.

This guy is literally a writing and punching machine. His books are must-reads, whether you want to defend yourself physically or face up to your fears. Geoff is the coach we'd all like to have in our pocket.

In practical terms, what does this mean? The Fence and how does it work?

First of all, as you'll have gathered, 'The fence' means 'The barrier' in French, but we're going to keep 'The fence' for glamour and to pay tribute to the author.

Ah, here we come: the technique itself. Talking about invisible barriers is all very well, but how do you apply them? The Fence in a tense situation? Here's the method, step by step.

1. The basic posture: a discreet but effective barrier

The main idea is to establish a safe distance with a neutral, non-threatening posture:

• Hands in front of youpalms open, as if you were having a normal conversation. Your arms form a subtle 'barrier'.
• Feet slightly apartOne foot in front of the other for greater stability.
• Direct viewBut relaxed. No need for a Western-style staring match.

This form of barrier can evolve and you will see bouncers with personalised formats.

2. Keep control of the space

You can subtly adjust the distance by moving your arms or stepping back slightly. This space game lets you :

• D'assess intention the other.
• From react quickly if things get out of hand.

3. Defusing with words

Because The FenceIt's also verbal:

• "Hey, are you all right? We can settle this quietly."
• "I'm not looking for any trouble, everything can be settled quietly."
• "Listen...tonight's not possible, even if you seem cool, but..."

These words, combined with the posture, create a double barrier, physical and psychological.

4. If things get out of hand: act quickly and effectively

If the aggressor attacks :

• Your hands are ready. Block, divert or strike immediately.
• Your balance saves you. Your positioning allows you to move quickly.
• Strike if necessary. Neutralises the threat quickly and convincingly.

5. The golden rule: stay in control

The Fenceis the art of avoiding conflict before it starts. If you apply it well, you can defuse 90 % of situations. For the rest, you're ready.

Practical example Imagine an argument in a queue.

• You turn calmly, hands open in front of you.
• You adjust the distance by moving gently.
• You defuse the situation with an "Everything all right?" but you're ready to react if necessary.

With this method, you combine psychology, body language and physical self-defence. It's simple, effective and, above all, adaptable to any situation.

An example from the author himself:

The Fence from nightclubs to self-defence courses

The concept of The FenceIt's a revolution in the world of self-defence. Adopted by :

• Bouncerswho deal with drunken customers and tense situations.
• The forces of law and orderwho use it to calm explosive conflicts.
• Self-defence instructorsMy training courses teach this technique to help you anticipate and act.

Its effectiveness is based on anticipation and prevention. You don't wait for the situation to get out of hand: you manage it from the outset.

The legacy of The Fence : today's experts perpetuate it

Since Geoff Thompson conceptualised The FenceMany self-defence experts have incorporated this technique into their training. These include Lee Morrisonanother great name in realistic self-defence.

Lee Morrison and the modern combative approach

Lee Morrisonfounder of Urban Combativeswas inspired by the foundations laid by Geoff Thompson. Just like the GeoffHe teaches an approach to self-defence that focuses on simplicity, efficiency and controlling the situation before it gets out of hand. Morrison adapt The Fence to an urban context, with an emphasis on sudden and brutal aggression, as well as Geoff Thompson.

At Morrison, The Fence becomes even more dynamic:

• He insists on the idea of "pre-emption", i.e. striking before being struck if the threat is obvious.
• It adapts the posture for situations where the attackers are in a group, adding tactics for dealing with several opponents.

Other experts who use The Fence

• Tony Blauerthe creator of the SPEAR system, uses an approach similar to that of The Fence by combining defensive posture and instinctive responses to aggression, here in action with a simple riposte that follows The fence …

These experts show that The Fence is not just a fixed technique. It is a living method, adaptable to different contexts and enriched by the contributions of other world-renowned trainers.

Why The Fence is still relevant (and why you should learn it)

In a world where tensions can erupt anywhere, The Fence is an essential skill. With this method, you can :

• Defuse aggression before it starts.
• Save precious time to defend yourself.
• Impress your friends and family with the mastery of a pro.

Whether in the street, at work or even in everyday life, The Fence is more than a technique: it's an art of living.

Conclusion: Geoff Thompson, a legend and his legacy

Geoff Thompson, with his concept of The Fencehas been a game-changer in the world of self-defence. From his early days as a bouncer in Coventry to his invitation by Chuck Norris himself, he has proved that the art of self-defence goes far beyond fists.

Today, experts such as Lee Morrison and many others are perpetuating this method by adapting it to modern needs. Whether you're a bouncer, a policeman, or simply someone who wants to manage everyday conflicts better, The Fence is an essential approach. And if you want to go further, delve into Geoff's books or try out this method in a training course.

If you would like to read other articles on self-defence, click here. here.