Remember your three S’s!
I remember back in the day being taken for self-defence training by Sgt Manning. He had a wonderful turn of phrase.
Two or three times a year we had to attend a day’s self-defence training. This variously involved baton, kwikcuff, CS spray &Ă‚Â unarmed defensive tactics. Some basic fitness was sometimes thrown into the mix.
Sgt Manning would stand in front of the assembled group& spout forth a mini lecture of the day on various related topics. His voice was strong & direct. I heard he was a regimental sergeant major in a previous life, I dont knowhow true it was but he certainly had that type of air about him.
On this particular occasion he was waxing lyrical on the benefits of a good warm up.
“I can’t stress highly enough the benefits of a good warm-up. To that end I rely on my three S’s. I suggest you do the same. In this job you may need to go from a’ hands off cocks’ to an ‘on socks’ state of readiness at a moment’s notice & this is where your three S’s will stand you in good stead.”
He paused for effect before continuing. “Your three S’s will look after you whether you’re chasing a great train robber, arresting a teenage tearaway or battling an escaped tiger. Whatever you do, always have your three S’s in the back of your mind, especially important in today’s training.”
He walks up to a pile of flexible plastic practice batons that we can attack each other with without breaking bones, picks up one & strikes his open palm, planting both feet a yard apart as if to reinforce his next remarks.
“Your three S’s, remember them &Ă‚Â remember them well.., Speed… Skill… and Flexibility.”
Stonehead says:
He must have had an Antipodean cousin. Many years ago I had a headteacher who’d get up at assemblies and lecture us about the three Cs—courtesy, consideration and success.
February 24th, 2010 at 09:27
boy on a bike says:
NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise…surprise and fear…fear and surprise…. Our two weapons are fear and surprise…and ruthless efficiency…. Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency…and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope…. Our *four*…no… *Amongst* our weapons…. Amongst our weaponry…are such elements as fear, surprise…. I’ll come in again.
February 24th, 2010 at 10:05
shijuro says:
my fave is the ’7-P’s’
Prior Preparation and Planning, Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
February 24th, 2010 at 11:37
pc hawkeye says:
Or Labours three ‘R’s which translates to Pregnant, Council House, Benifit.
February 24th, 2010 at 12:38
Tony F says:
Daft, but it’s the sort of thing that makes you remember it!
February 24th, 2010 at 20:07
Hogday says:
Memory principle : make it outrageous or hilarious
February 25th, 2010 at 18:41