Real self-defense is first of all about avoiding being assaulted or even bothered, about seeing trouble well ahead and not walking into an ambush, about discouraging an attack by your demeanor, and only when all else fails it becomes about neutralizing an attack that could not be prevented.
The real question that lies behind self-defense is whether you would be capable, should the situation arise, to defend yourself or your loved ones in an unpredictable situation.
- Try to prevent the situation
I know you main purpose is not to get into a fight to begin with. It’s just that sometimes talking could help you out of an unnecessary violent situation. In case you attacker wants to rob you, maybe it’s best to just hand over whatever you have instead of jumping into a fight. Plus, by trying to defuse the situation you also buy yourself more time to prepare for the unavoidable.
- Keep your hands high
This is something boxing coaches remind their fighters of upon entering the ring, and continue to do so until the end of their career. Most of all strikes will either be blocked or the force lessened if your hands are up. Also, watch the Rocky movie. His hands are down most the time and he gets hit a lot. Take advantage of his mistake.
- Take him to the ground
If you close the distance, you may be able to trip, drag, or throw him to the ground. If you’ve ever wrestled, use what you’ve learnt to get a top position. If you get a top position on the ground you can strike your opponent without getting attacked.
- Minimize the distance
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will tell you that in any self-defense situation close the distance as quickly as possible. If you are too close for him to strike you, then you can’t get hurt. Muay Thai will tell you that the clinch is among the best places to strike your opponent. From here you can dish out elbows, knees, and some close range punches.
- Take him by surprise
If you permit your attacker to hit you first, you are making a bad situation worse. Now you have to recover from the strike, and work to regain momentum in the fight. Hitting first makes the attacker defend himself, something he won’t be used to doing.
- Try using everyday objects
Everyday objects can become your best weapon if you find yourself in need. If you have to walk at night or at dark on an unpopular alley you can hold your keys in your hands or even a pen. In other circumstances you can use sand or dirt to toss into your attacker’s eyes to buy yourself some time to run away.
- Sometimes getting hit is unavoidable
Getting hit isn’t fun, but it’s not the end of the world. Remember this is a fight, not a beat down, and expect your opponent to put up a fight. Take the shot, regain composure, and get back in there! It’s much better than standing still and getting hit.
- Your main aim is not to win
If you hurt your opponent unnecessarily, you can find yourself in court. Also if you stun your opponent somehow (for example, you knock the wind out of him) you don’t need to do anything more – just run. You will find that you are not hurt and you are not getting sued. That’s winning to me.
Self-defense is a countermeasure that involves defending the health and well-being of oneself, or of another, from harm. So take into consideration this. It is not a battle to win.
Your main purpose when it comes to applying self-defense is to walk away without being harmed.
