Tips on Self-Defense

Numerous books and articles have been written about self-defense. Many of these deal with what to do after you're attacked, rather than preventing an ugly situation. A few may even focus on overpowering your attacker, when in reality you may be too upset to do this. Here are some tips to keep a bad situation from getting too ugly.

There are three basic rules for avoiding an awful situation. Be aware and watch out for negative things that may happen. Avoid any potentially nasty things you do see. Lastly, perform a counter movement - if you're attacked, make the situation ugly for your attacker.

If you are in doubt of a situation, and it feels dangerous at all, leave. Turn around, abruptly change direction, or whatever you need to do to get away. If there is an attacker in the area, you will be changing their plan and buying yourself a little time.

Passive self-defense involves diffusing the situation through walking or talking. Many view this as the best method of self-defense, especially if the attacker has a weapon. If passive self-defense does not work, it is recommended that you give the attacker(s) whatever they want, such as your purse or wallet, and get out of the area ASAP. If you attempt to injure the attacker, and don't hit hard enough, you could anger them and escalate the situation.

If you feel you can't run and must use active self-defense, there are a few guidelines to keep yourself in the game. Look aggressive. This is not done just with facial expression but stance as well. Keep your knees springy and your hands near your face (block a hit with one hand while keeping the other hand near your face). Be careful, however, because your energy can be directed back at you.

Other guidelines for active self-defense include never blinking or taking your eyes from your attacker. Think of possible distractions for your assailant. Don't defend - attack. And try to use any trick, opening, or weapon.

If you need to hit your attacker, use a closed fist. When you throw the punch, aim at something behind their body. This will help ensure maximum impact. The same idea can be used for kicks and knee strikes. Keep in mind this will hurt both of you.

If hitting or kicking is necessary, be sure to target key pain zones for effective self-defense. Go for the groin if your attacker is unarmed. If you hit their eye, slightly extend your thumb from your fist so that your fingernail will jab the attacker's eye. Slapping or pulling the ears can be effective as well. Other pain areas include the nose, mouth, solar plexus (soft tissue where the ribs meet in the middle of one's torso) and throat.

To recap, keep these self-defense guidelines in mind: avoid getting yourself into a situation where you'll be fighting for your life. Avoid or leave any situation that makes you uncomfortable. In a confrontation, run instead of fighting. Give the attacker what they want. Practice active self-defense before you ever have to use it. In a worst case scenario, use something like pepper spray or a stun gun.

Sources:
Come Back Alive; Pelton, Robert Young; Broadway Books, 2000.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Surviving Anything; Sauer, Patrick and Zimmerman, Michael; BookEnds, LLC, 2001.