BBC Interviews Tim Larkin About Extreme Self Defense

Well the debate in the UK about whether or not citizens of Great Britain should be able to protect themselves with effective self defense training rages on.

Here’s the latest installment.

It’s an interview I did with BBC One about my upcoming seminar in Slough.

The Slough councilman in the piece does his best to label me as an extreme response to what he considers acceptable self defense training (read: ineffective, feel good techniques).

He also makes my point for me that traditional martial arts and self defence training take far too long to become even marginally effective in a kill-or-be-killed criminal assault.

I am never surprised when well meaning people miss the boat when it comes to dealing with asocial predators but this councilman even caused me to pause with his position.

After you watch this please share your thoughts.

And remember: as you go through a live training experience with me I assure you there is nothing gratuitous or extreme about TFT when you consider the threat you are preparing for via the training.

Bye for now,

Tim Larkin
Founder
Target Focus Training

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41 Comments »

chris 9.6.2009 12:32 am

My father, who was UDT during the 60's has told my more than many times good intentions can get you dead as fast or faster than bad ones. The only test of truth is truth. This old man sounds like he means well, but simply does not know what he is talking about. Thank God we are not the UK yet. Many in the White House would agree with him. Chris.

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César 9.6.2009 9:11 pm

I agree with your message, Mr Larkin, and I intend to buy your products and go to a seminar but, dont forget that you cant teach this stuff to just anybody.
Some stupid people WILL use this stuff wrongly.
To me its like selling a firearm.
If everybody as one, it becomes the wild west! Not a good idea.

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Garrett 9.6.2009 10:12 pm

This poor misguided English councilman plainly just doesn't begin to understand the private citizen's right to personal safety protection choices vs. asocial violent criminal minds. In reality, he does not even really care to hear logical sane reasoning that underpins the need for must-have training as TFT, because by his own admissions, he is a party-line-parroting statist who believes his govt is the ultimate nanny & protector, not the private citizen himself. God help this sorry fellow if he ever finds himself in the unenviable position of "victim" of a violent attack and he needs to dial his UK govt's 911 "prayerline", if there is even the slim chance opportunity.

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Anonymous 9.6.2009 10:20 pm

Apparently David MacIsaac just doesn't "get it"! If WE are not PREPARED for the worst, then WHO is going to save us when an attacker comes FULL FORCE with KILLING intentions?

With TFT training, it is so simple to master simple, counter moves that our attacker (obviously) won't expect…(to our advantage).

That knowledge alone WILL keep us, and our loved ones ALIVE!

Jack Feu…
So. California

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walkabout 9.6.2009 10:29 pm

Thank you, for all you are doing.You can't beat "Old School" Jay "Rung Sat 65-68 USN"

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Boxing Bags 9.6.2009 10:47 pm

Great work Tim – Authorities in the UK really do want to have its citizens complete unarmed and relying on the already overworked British Police to protect them.

Keep it up!

AL

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Mark Richards 9.6.2009 10:53 pm

It's unfortunate that this bureaucrat is either unwilling or unable to see the growing trend of murder and mayhem developing in the UK. I wish you the best of luck in training and teaching in that environment.
Mark Richards
http://www.inlandempirefinancing.com

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Anonymous 9.6.2009 10:55 pm

Hi Tim,

I think that it's great that you are expanding into the UK with TFT.

We are a little more reserved than our American cousins in our approach to violence, but I remain convinced that only good will come from your system being taught to those in my country.

Would TFT consider training a few select British citizens (with military backgrounds) to be approved TFT instructors here in the UK ?

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The "D" Man 9.6.2009 11:01 pm

Hi Tim,
Although I now live in Ausralia I did live in the Slough area during the late '70's there are quite a few do- gooders in the area but most people will love what you teach, it has always been an area that has suffered from violence apart from anything else there is a large military presence in Windsor and Reading both quite close and that tends to bring out the worst in some young men, and then flows onto the local streets. Slough really needs T.F.T.

Derek

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Ted 9.6.2009 11:48 pm

Sorry ol' chap, sounds like your a-typical Goebbels style National Socialist rant to me. You can count me out.

TFT for all, I say! It's a duty we owe ourselves.

God Bless the folks in Slough who have stepped up to do the right thing and sign up for the course.

Ted

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Terry 9.6.2009 11:49 pm

Hey, note what that politician said. He admitted that HE HIMSELF 'knows some of the techniques in TFT'.

So let's be clear. This politician thinks it's alright for the security forces, the police AND HE HIMSELF to know how to defend themselves – BUT HE'S TOTALLY AGAINST THE REST OF US KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT DEFENDING OURSELVES!

Now you know why we Brits despise our entire 'political class' so much. I live in London and have watched my city decend into it's present violent anarchy. Several years ago I sought online help in protecting myself on the streets – and discovered TFT. It works.

Welcome to London, Tim. We, the people, need you, big time.

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Ymarsakar 9.6.2009 11:54 pm

There is a few blog commentary on this topic that is interesting.

A

That's the list search I went to that has the sites in question.

It is good to hear what ordinary British individuals have to say in reaction to the news in Slough. Some of it is humorous, some hostile, some in support.

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David 9.7.2009 1:08 am

I'm not an attorney, but I believe the right of self-defense was an established and ancient part of English common law which came over to the U.S. with the early colonists. Apparently, our cousins across the pond have strayed from this rather sensible perspective. I’ve spent a bit of time in the U.K. on business and have observed that there are those, particularly in government I think, who feel that defending oneself and gun ownership are anathema in a civilized society. I am not sure whether this ill-informed outlook should be viewed with amusement or pity; perhaps both would be appropriate. I recall that former New York City Mayor Ed Koch told the story, sometime in the 1970’s or 1980’s, that he was addressing a crowd of residents in a crime ridden area of the Bronx. He told them of a judge he had appointed who was mugged and who subsequently observed that the incident would not affect the way he adjudicated such crimes. As I recollect, a little old lady then stood up and yelled out “Then mug him again!”, a sentiment that was greeted by much cheering on the part of those assembled. I’ve also heard it said that the transformation of a liberal into a conservative occurs when the liberal has the crap beat out of him by a mugger. Now I sincerely hope that the good councilman is never accosted or mugged, but I have to wonder if such an experience would change his outlook. Keep up the good work, Tim!

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James 9.7.2009 1:42 am

Dear Tim,
I do agree with your philosophy and reasoning. I do plan on taking your course(s) in due time. One question that came up is this;
I am a peace loving, law abiding business professional with a clean record and no proclivity for murder and mayhem. I have been attacked violently, both hand to hand and with weapons, knives, guns etc.. I survived, but bear the scars, both physical and psychological. I abhor violence. In this day and age when information is spreading so fast, what happens if one day I come across a murderer/psychopath who has taken your training and has the same knowledge I do and he/she means to use it against me? What do I do? I have allowed my concealed weapon license to expire and sold all my guns, so I am now totally unarmed. Thank you for your time and answer. Best regards,
James Radovich

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forrest 9.7.2009 1:48 am

The councillman is quite ignorant of what a real violent incident on the street is like. He obviously hasn't been in one.
A cop told me that you can use whatever means necessary in order to neutralize an attack.
Obviously extreme violence is at the top extreme end of the use of force ladder and that is what he is focussing on to the exclusion of the multitude of ways to end violence while the opponent ends up still breathing but non-functional.
Three guys surround you with weapons and come at you with deadly force. What are you going to do? Give them cupcakes? Defend yourself! Its your right. No law in any land will go against a righteous cause like that.
He ties himself up verbally by saying he knows some of tft's extreme techniques but its- I can't remember the exact term he used- not good to know them.
Forrest

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Anonymous 9.7.2009 2:12 am

What the councilman misses is that you are NOT putting yourself at risk, the main mantra of TFT is that you are ALREADY at risk of death or you wouldn't be using the system! At least it sounds like the good councilman would be willing to train his policemen, may be a new income source Tim…LOL.
Nick

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Anonymous 9.7.2009 3:24 am

If you study world history from say the founding era leading up to current times, you can easily see that Great Britian has become a nanny state. Unfortunately this is exactly where we and other western cultures are headed. The strong (the government) with power over the weak (the people) with rampant violent crime (the justification for control). No one can guarantee your safety but you. You ARE the first responder and don't let any entity train you differently.

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Ernesto 9.7.2009 3:36 am

Hi Tim

This guy definitely has never been attacked asocially before nor his family and close friends. In my opinion, all he is doing is talking nonsense with no solid base to back him.

I bet anything that if this person gets attacked wildly by a sociopath and get beaten to almost death, his opinion will change drastically and maybe he will be asking Tim Larking to give him personal lessons.

Ernesto

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Anonymous 9.7.2009 8:08 am

It's sad that this critic is willing to go in front of a camera and speak with great authority on a subject he knows nothing about.

This critic's opinion carries no weight due to the fact that he knows nothing about the TFT system and how it is taught to civilians. If this critic would have bothered to attend a TFT seminar first before spouting off his beliefs then a person might consider him to be more credible.

I would like to ask this critic why should asocial criminals be the only ones who understand how to effectively use the tool of violence? How does a civilian who learns how to effectively use the tool of violence in a self-defence context during an asocial attack on his/her life make them a danger to others and themselves?

The only thing this critic does is offer up a straw man argument.

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Anonymous 9.7.2009 10:33 am

Dear Mr.Larkin an interesting interview given by a grandstanding politician. He is trying to deflect attention away from the bismal crime statistics in the UK(this summer the UK was ranked as having the "worst violent crime rate in europe";London Evening Standard 2/July/2009.), even though the UK and London in particular has almost blanket CCTV-coverage! On another level he is identifying with being a victim and as such is horrified by predator skills! You have mentioned this idea before in your newsletters. There is also a strange occurrence in the UK, often if a victim has successfully fought back against the criminal, it is often the victim that feels the full brunt of the Law and not the criminal!!

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Anonymous 9.7.2009 11:38 am

Good self defense fighting techniques are really needed, like the kind that you teach. If anyone picks up the Daily Mail here in the UK will find out the horrible crime that is committed on a daily bases. There was a gang of women who attacked a man on a bike. Some other woman attacked a guy who just gave them wolf wistle call. Then there are the numerous knife attacks. If you show (which I'm sure you will) this at your seminar (how to defend yourself against a knife), it would be most helpful here.

All the best, and peace be with you,

Richard

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Ronald M 9.7.2009 11:56 am

Tim must feel like Churchill did before WWII, trying to explain the obvious and being regarded as weird. Still, like Churchill, he'll be vindicated in the end.

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howard johnson 9.7.2009 1:40 pm

TIM THIS MAN IS NOT BEING REALISTIC. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT THE POLICE AREN'T ABLE TO BE EVERY WHERE AT ALL TIMES. USUALLY WHEN AN ASSAULT IS TAKING PLACE THE PERSON BEING ASSAULTED MUST TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF OR HERSELF. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR TEAM……HOWARD JOHNSON

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MikeH 9.7.2009 1:54 pm

Another fine example that some people will NEVER get the difference between martial arts practice routines and being forced to fight for your life.

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Bougainvillea 9.7.2009 2:55 pm

This training is about individual responsibility, freedom and independence. It is about self reliance, not about some bureaucratic facist state trying to keep you dumb and vulnerable. Tim is right on – true American ideology. Britain has lost their country to the new aristocracy and along with it any rights the magna carta once protected!

Let me ask you, when was the last time the police prevented a violent crime?

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Choctaw, in NM 9.7.2009 4:57 pm

WTF..Do the brits think it's politically incorrect to defend themselves..??? What would one of them idiots in the vid do should someone start pushing them around..Politely ask the thug to stop..??? I doubt seriously that would work..Sure hope all brits dont feel the way the two in the vid appear to think..

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Anonymous 9.7.2009 5:13 pm

Mr MacISSAC said "I actually know some of the techniques he's teaching" When did he complete one of your courses then?
he should be concentrating his time and efforts to reducing the extremely high levels of crime in Slough and stop talking about subjects he knows nothing about.

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Anonymous 9.7.2009 8:53 pm

A classic example of a sheep, fat and warm in his world. Long live the Sheepdogs!

D. Ferguson

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Anonymous 9.7.2009 11:58 pm

Tim – very interesting to watch the councilman make all of the points made by TFT about why the system is univerally effective: martial arts (years to maaster & technique based); police and security services as proper constituents for training (to gain parity with the bad guys); TFT is deadly (no sh*t, that's the point). You should invite the councilman & local police force to train pro bono…make them true believers -none so righteuous as the fallen man reformed. Keep up the great work, hope to see you again soon. Tom – Phila,PA

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Anonymous 9.8.2009 1:29 am

Not surprising when you consider that this is coming from people who gave up their firearms willingly. Notice how he said this knowledge should be left to "police and security personnel". As if the right to defend yourself against violence is determined by your particular career choice. Keep doing what you are doing Mr. Larkin, you are exactly what the self defense world needs.

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Ron Claassens 9.8.2009 6:57 am

Its wowsers like this old bloke , who encourage people to lay down and take it and become yet another statistic, instead of using our natural survival instincts to survive. Its a pretty sad world we live in where people get ganged up on and beaten up for fun. I have been teaching TKD for nearly 3 decades, my wife went to Tims seminar for 3 days in Sydney and brought back a wealth of knowledge. We are just empowering people with the tools to survive, give them and edge to get away and live to tell the tale.

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Anonymous 9.8.2009 2:34 pm

I would say that the wider society distrusts the modern warrior.

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RC 9.8.2009 5:15 pm

I feel sorry for the councilman and anyone that feels as he does. I'm also disgusted by his attitude.

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Anonymous 9.8.2009 5:15 pm

Tim I think you're a blessing and your training is out right necessary for those who are serious about protecting themselves and/or loved ones in any and all kinds of violent situations. You have my deepest gratitude.

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Anonymous 9.8.2009 5:42 pm

England is more socialist, as in well on their way to big brother. The attitude of this clown shouldn't be surprising in a culture that believes the police state should have a monopoly on violence, and the government is the nations "babysitter".

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G Proulx 9.8.2009 9:30 pm

Hey Tim,
Interesting viewpoint from the councilman. He made the statement that he knew some of the techniques that you taught. If true, then wouldn't this validate the idea that a responsible person could be intrusted with this type of knowledge and not be inclined to use it improperly? After all he is certainly not transformed into a violent person simply because he understands techniques of violence.
GP

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Ken in Sacramento 9.9.2009 4:35 am

In a world where their is real violence, violence that can appear without warning, you must meet it with strategic violence; it is your life that you are gambling with if you don't respond effectively. There are no "redos"..

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Anonymous 9.10.2009 8:15 pm

I would think that the training for potential violence is not the dangerous element, but the irresponsible use of violence in a non-lethal situation. When Texas passed a concealed handgun law, there were people that were convinced that it would be a return to the "Wild West". On the contrary, the handgun law has led to more lives being saved than lost. Likewise, the responsible use of self-defense training would in my opinion save more lives than lead to uncontrolled thuggery.

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Dr. T.J. Gentry 9.11.2009 1:49 pm

In a word, "Nuts!" This type of ass backward reasoning on the part of the councilman is exactly why TFT is needed. I take his irrational and Pollyanish input as confirmation that now, more than ever, the UK and everywhere else needs TFT.

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Anonymous 9.15.2009 5:27 pm

I took the training in New York on September 12 and 13, and during one of the breaks, I overheard some of the women talking to each other after learning how to throw someone off your chest while your arms are pinned down and also while you're on your back and then subsequently injure the aggressor. The woman said, "That was the most important thing we had to learn."

When the two-day training was over, one of the women thanked the men who had trained with them, saying, "I just want to thank the men for not taking it easy on us during the training just because we were women."

With all that said, I think the gentleman who had gotten interviewed by the BBC broadcaster really doesn't understand asocial violence and who is actually interested in learning TFT. I was training with very small women, and for me to hear such comments from the women training with me spoke volumes to me. I was training with people who were genuinely concerned about their safety and the safety of their family.

I think the people who would be first to defend Mr. Larkin against the charge that he's irresponsible for teaching TFT to civilians would be the women who were taking the training with me.

Kristoffer Sevillena

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Jesse 2.19.2010 5:46 pm

It’s essential for instructors to become familiar with both the legal statutes and ethical norms of the societies where they teach.

When you can lecture Slough councillors live on TV on their ignorance of UK laws, your PR problem is solved.

Letting a controversy like this spring up around your program may be good for publicity in the marketing sense, creating “buzz” and making you look like a maverick, but it runs counter to the interests of the citizens who actually train and do self-defence.

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BBC Interviews Tim Larkin About Extreme Self Defense

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