Condition Red
Jeff Cooper is the father of American pistol craft. He has designed a color
code system for combat awareness. Even though they have been designed for
combat shooters, the awareness levels for the martial artist is the same.
Basically these describe your mental state.
White = Completely relaxed. You are most likely unaware of your
surroundings. If attacked in this state you will die.
Yellow = Relaxed alertness. You are aware of your surroundings and what is
going on all around you. You are not paranoid, just alert. While you are
not expecting trouble it won't sneak up on you. When you are armed you
should be in "yellow." You can live in "yellow."
Orange = Specific alertness. You have noticed a potential situation and now put
your everyday thoughts aside and concentrate on the problem
at hand. You may have to shoot someone. Your pistol is holstered.
Red = A fight is probable. You decide upon the "mental trigger" that will
indicate you are to shoot (...if he turns toward me, ...if I see a gun,
Etc.) you are ready to take action. The pistol is most likely in your
hand but can be holstered depending upon circumstances.
A more in depth explanation is in the below-mentioned sources.
They have been discussed in several books.
The Modern Technique of the Pistol by Greg Morrison (ISBN) 0962134236), and
The Tactical Pistol, by Gabe Suarez (ISBN 0873648641). Cooper wrote the
forwards to both of them. They are also discussed on video in the Armed
Defense series, a four tape set from Quad Productions, Reno, NV. The tapes
from Quad productions can be ordered online at: http://www.snowcrest.net/
quad/
