
Common Denominators of Self-Defense Training
From mindset to situational awareness, mental to physical health, here’s what it boils down to.
Story and Photos by Paul Pawela
The late Jeff Cooper, known as the father of modern pistol craft, has many books on the subject. In Principles of Personal Defense, he asserts that the most important means of surviving a lethal confrontation is neither the weapon nor the battle skills. The primary tool is the combat mindset.
Cooper came up with a color code identifying the four levels of awareness: white (unaware and unprepared), yellow (relaxed alert), orange (specific alert), and red (ready to use lethal force). The color code helps one “think” in a fight. As the level of danger increases, one’s willingness to take certain actions increases.

- • You have to stay calm when you are in bad situations.
- • You need to cover and conceal your intent with other maneuvers.
- • You need to utilize the simplest and most effective methods.
- • You need to prioritize your focus effort.
- • You need to train until you trust yourself to move intuitively, without having to think.
- • You cannot let your emotions drive your decisions.
- • You have to establish a good base foundation to build upon.
- • You have to continuously learn new techniques while reinforcing the fundamentals.
- • You have to adapt your plan if circumstances change.