Most attacks are preceded by stalking and dialogue
entrapments. The 3 second fight is not commonly known or
talked about, but most attackers use dialogue as their leading
technique. I find that many instructors of self-defence are so
concerned about the physical 'tricks' that they forget about
those vital seconds leading up to assault. It is those that
handle pre-fight most effectively that tend to be victorious
when a situation becomes 'live'. In fact, if you are switched
on to the attacker's ritual you will not usually even be
selected as a victim. This is absolutely the most important
factor in 'real' situation and yet it is one area nearly always
overlooked by other defence gurus. One aspect of the ritual
is the aforementioned four D's, which involve body language
as well as the spoken word. This dialogue is often called 'The
Interview' (which I will discuss presently). If you can spot
the ritual, you can stop the crime.