Hi Lee,
Got asked a question tonight regarding the use of the fence. Initially when we're taught the concept of the fence there was the static fence and the intermittent fence, commonly known as the method of 'talking Italian'.
The question was should the intermittent fence be used over the static one, and is the static one utilised in training purposes only, as beginner learns the new concept of protecting space.
The question was asked from a point of view that the static fence may stimulate a situation into kicking off as the arms are kept in the postion, giving an unknown contact something to hone in on,
example;
"whats your fcuking hands up for? get your fcuking hands down you prick"

Obviously the intention from dialogue like this is he's gonna kick off. However, with an intermittent fence, the hands become more relaxed although ready to protect space, it looks more natural and doesn't give an unknown contact stimulus to kick off if your in the business of de-escalating.

So the question is, is the static fence usefull over the intermittent or is it just a training tool to introduce the concept protecting space and everything else that follows on from that?

Cheers Lee, hope that made sense!

Jon

Hi Jon,
as Geoff T said along time ago, the whole purpose of the fence, is to give you a degree of control without the other side realising you're in control. If he/she feels that your trying to control, a power play will ensue.

The idea is that the fence looks natural and unobtrusive, being intermittent or talking with the hands will give you that, as longs as there is congruence to the rest of your body language. i.e. your voice tonality and pace match your physical mannerisms.

This kind of control should be honed to a point, where it is not even noticed and this is how you should employ it on EVERYONE, particularly anyone you don't know (unknown contact) regardless of their intentions, innocent or otherwise. You should use any human interaction with anyone, as an opportunity to get this skill, to that point of un-noticed control.

The static fence that you talk of is only really employed when it is clear that you have a situation and are now taking the fence to a conscious level, via a physical and verbal boundary. So depends on the situation really Jon.

Cheers

Hi Lee,
That makes perfect sense.
It really is situation relevant, which one you employ and why.

Thanks again Lee
Jon