The OODA Loop
Video: The OODA Loop and Self Defense Application: The OODA loop is a formalized decision making procedure that is especially important when the decisions have to be made quickly, as in a threat situation. The development of a rapid decision making process can give you or your team huge tactical advantages. Most people, when confronted with threats, take a “chess player role” where they make a move and wait for you to make a move. You do not have to wait until the other guy makes a move! Your moves should be as rapidly as possible to keep the threat off balance and keep the initiative on your side. Background : The OODA loop was developed by US Air Force fighter tactician John Boyd. It has been applied to business and computer programming as well as military strategy and tactics. My greatest understanding of the OODA loop came from reading Paul Howe’s excellent book Leadership and Training For the Fight. O-O-D-A stands for Observe-Orient-Decide-Act It is a “loop” beca...