Why Waiting to Be Attacked is a Bad Plan

Most people think self-defense means waiting for someone to attack… and then reacting.

Block. Dodge. Hit back.That sounds reasonable. But in the real world, it’s often too late.When your staff only react after an attacker makes a move, the damage has already started. Injuries happen. People freeze. Control is lost.That’s why at COBRA, we teach self-offense.

What is self-offense?

Self-offense means taking proactive action the moment a threat becomes real.

It’s not about being aggressive or picking fights.

It’s about making sure your employee is not the victim when someone decides to do harm. Self-offense can be:

• A strong verbal command
• A quick escape
• A first strike when there’s no other option
• Using surprise and speed to break free and stay safe

Why reacting too late is dangerous

In real attacks, hesitation is costly.

A criminal may:

• Grab someone suddenly
• Pull a weapon
• Slam a person into a car
• Force them into a corner or vehicle

If your employee waits for this to happen before doing anything, their chances of success drop fast. We teach that when someone crosses a clear line and becomes a threat, your staff must be ready to act immediately. Waiting for permission or hoping someone else steps in is not a safe strategy.

What self-offense looks like at work

Here are common scenarios where proactive defense matters:

• A stranger approaches aggressively in the parking lot
• A road rage incident starts escalating
• A suspicious person blocks an employee’s path
• A visitor or customer becomes hostile

In these moments, knowing when and how to act can make all the difference.Your staff must be trained to:

• Trust their gut
• Respond with confidence
• Create distance
• Use voice and presence to take control
• Strike first if there's no other safe option

But won’t that get someone in trouble?

Not if it’s taught correctly.

Our training is built on legal and ethical guidelines. We teach employees to:

• Avoid conflict whenever possible
• Use force only when absolutely necessary
• Always act in defence, not aggression
• Explain clearly why they acted if questioned

Self-offense is not about violence. It’s about taking control of a dangerous situation before it turns worse.

Why this matters for your company

If your staff are ever attacked, they won’t have time to think.

They will only have time to act. Without training, they will likely freeze or panic.

With training, they can take action quickly, legally, and effectively. This reduces:

• Trauma
• Injuries
• Time off work
• Security risks
• Liability to the company

Give your employees the tools to act, not just react

At COBRA Self-Defense, we help companies train their staff to recognise threats, respond early, and take action when it matters most.Our corporate self-defense programs are:

• Practical
• Short and effective
• Based on real criminal tactics
• Designed for all employees, not just security teams

Don’t wait for a serious incident to take safety seriously.

Let us train your team to be proactive, alert, and confident under pressure.Contact us today to book a self-offense training session for your business.

Cell: 082 299 9117

E-mail: info@cobradefense.co.za