06/08/2026
IMPACT Coach Lou Dutch teaching SPEAR at today’s Tackling Spectator Abuse in Football event in Dorset.
So what’s happening in this picture? Let me break it down…
➡️ The “fingers splayed” action:
The extensor chain muscles are responsible for pushing / straightening actions. They are faster snd stronger than flexor chain muscles (used pulling motions). When the fingers are splayed, the extensor chain is activated.
➡️ The “outside 90” action:
When the arm is bent at the elbow by 90 degrees or less, the structure collapses, meaning your arm can be bent backwards towards you. However, when the arm is extended to outside / beyond 90 degrees (but crucially, not fully extended) it will not collapse and therefore can brace against severe pressure.
➡️ The “startle-flinch” reaction:
When a person is subjected to an unexpected shock-stimulus (such as walking through a spider web… or being struck suddenly in the head) the hands will rise to protect the head, the fingers will naturally splay and the forearms extend to push the danger away.
We all have a built in biological “air-bag” - just like a car… How cool is that?!
This picture is the SPEAR concept in action. Our “bad guy” has grabbed Lou and lifted her up - and she was still able to collapse his structure using SPEAR. Now imagine the follow up; elbows, knees - SPEAR can act on its own, or you can then transition into your martial arts system.
But here’s the important part - and I’m going to upset a few people here unfortunately. You remember the shock-stimulus I talked about? Sometimes we’re caught unaware. Unless your training actually explores what real violence looks like, and unless your training is geared towards that violence, the adrenaline, the fear… your martial art won’t necessarily cut it. Most of self defence is actually about the 3 D’s:
- Detect
- Defuse
- Defend
Defence is only 1/3 of the training! What about your awareness, de-escalation skills, the FEAR Loop?
Don’t get me wrong, I love martial arts and I live my life by its values. It absolutely can work under pressure, but it’s important to train it right. In my honest opinion, the SPEAR system is the missing link; for the layperson it can stand alone, for the martial artist it is the bridge to your system. SPEAR is the result of decades of research by Tony Blauer. It stands for
Spontaneous
Protection
Enabling
Accelerated
Response
It is a primal, instinctive response, honed and trained within the system. It’s how a smaller person can deal with a larger attacker.
It forms a core part of our approach to self defence at IMPACT.
If you’re interested, we have a couple of courses coming up later this summer and autumn - message us for info.
No AI was used in creating this article - just study and training!
Special note of thanks to Tony Blauer, we’re very proud to represent him.
