Technique – The traffic light system

The traffic light system is an extension of the stop signal that was originally developed in a sporting context. It helps to shorten communication during complex situations, such as fencing matches, and makes it less confrontational. These signals do not replace social communication that arises from irritation. The signals are only a brief message of irritation. The relevance of such irritation and whether it even marks a conflict can only be assessed further through communication. If signals accumulate, this is an indication of a conflict.

Meaning: Attention, emergency!

This signal is used for exceptional situations that indicate an emergency or conflict situation outside the rules.

The reaction it is intended to trigger is for the entire group to cease all currently active actions. Everyone should remain calm and assume a resting position, focus their attention on perceiving the exceptional situation and orienting themselves, and be ready to communicate and act in order to secure the exceptional situation and restore safety for everyone.

Meaning: Caution, please.

This signal is used to indicate that the situation or actions are close to crossing a boundary.

The reaction that should be triggered in the person addressed is that they should exercise more caution.

Meaning: Stop! Boundary violation!

This signal is used to indicate that the situation or actions are crossing a boundary.

The reaction that should be triggered in the person being addressed is the same as for the stop signal.

Meaning: Everything is OK.

This signal is used to reassure another person who is feeling uncertain. The signal means that the situation or actions are fine as they are.

The reaction that should be triggered in the person being addressed is that they realise that everything is OK and everything can continue as it is.

Meaning: Thank you, that was excellent!

This signal is used to indicate to another person that the situation or actions are perceived as great and joyful.

The reaction this can trigger in the person being addressed is joy and confirmation that their actions have been successful.

Meaning: Huh? Does that have no effect?

This signal is used to indicate to the other person that a reaction was expected, but none seems to have happened.

The reaction that should be triggered in the person being addressed is that they focus on their own perception and reflect on whether their own reaction was appropriate to the situation.

The traffic light system is an extension of the stop signal that originally developed in a sporting context. It has evolved in a different context (the BDSM scene) to allow for greater differentiation and to make boundaries visible in advance. The aim is to avoid jeopardising the mutual consensus, so a mutual agreement, without reaching or even crossing boundaries. Initially, a distinction was made between a stop word (also known as a safeword) and a caution signal (also known as a slow word). These signals then developed further in the sport, based on rules governing the severity and danger of a game, and we have now added a signal for the absence of a response (also known as a missing signal).