An overview of simple and practical self defense techniques to ensure your defense and get you out of complex situations. Each technique aims to keep you safe.
Techniques to know for self-defense
Prevent danger
This is a matter of common sense, but it is worth remembering! Avoid putting yourself in a dangerous situation by hitchhiking or walking through a dangerous neighborhood in the city, etc. Don’t let fear, anguish, fragility, lost air or any sign of vulnerability show through that will make you the ideal prey of a potential aggressor.
Deter aggression
In the case of an attack that would initially be verbal: in order to prevent it from degenerating, remain courteous, do not respond to provocations, make calm and unambiguous gestures in order to decrease the aggressor’s tension . Better to turn on your heels if there is still time.
Spontaneity and simplicity: the keys to efficiency
When there is a stressful situation, the simplest movements and the most accessible route from the position you are in are the best options for defending and attacking. Remember that complexity is the opposite of efficiency.
Maintain a minimum safety distance
The minimum distance to maintain between you and the aggressor is the size of an outstretched arm. This will save you some time to react to blows. The greater this distance, the more vulnerable the opponent is since he will put himself in a situation of imbalance to reach you.
Breaking clearance technique: the “shield-spur”
You did not see anything coming and the aggression comes from the front and from very close: you must react immediately with a break-release technique in order to block and re-establish a minimum safety distance.
It consists of two simultaneous gestures:
- protect your face by burying your nose in your left elbow, in a circular upward motion, left hand locking thumb down on right shoulder, palm facing out;
- give a blow with the right hand or fist at horizontal height, accompanying this gesture by tilting the trunk backwards.
Dodge technique
You have had time to identify the attack but it is already very close, initiate a defensive action by dodging. Protect yourself by raising an arm and tucking your shoulders and free yourself by pivoting out of the axis of the attack or dodge the hit or attempted grab of the aggressor by stepping sideways or back.
Slap technique
To stop aggression by momentarily inhibiting your opponent, the slap is recommended but it requires some practice. The principle is to strike the blow as quickly as possible with the smallest area of your hand on a very precise point on the opponent’s body:
- the external edge of the hand (from the articulation of the little finger to the wrist), also called the “saber hand”, very effective in particular at the level of the neck (carotid), the neck, the joints of the arm or in the ribs floats of the opponent,
- the palm of the hand: the strike is carried with the base of the palm or the flat of the hand once your wrist is flexed to the maximum, fingers raised and thumb flexed. Very effective especially for pushing back the opponent when the blow is struck to the chin in a rapid movement from the bottom to the top.
- the fingers: in one-fingered, forked or whole hand prick to strike on the face and more particularly on the eyes, throat, lower abdomen, to push back the face by taking the nose of the aggressor in fork of the thumb and index finger.
Punch technique
Your first weapon is the fist. Squeeze the fingers against the palm without leaving a gap and lock the thumb from above to avoid injury. Hold your fist in line with your forearm, keeping your wrist firm. Strike directly with the roots of the index and middle finger joints, or circularly with the back of the fist like a backhand.
Knee and Kick Techniques
The knee kick is easy to apply and is very effective. It simply involves lifting the knee. Preferably target the lower abdomen. The kick should only be used below the horizontal and frontally in order to avoid any imbalance. You can strike with the ball of the foot directly forward or with the heel up and down on the assailant’s foot.
Reduce the aggressor’s range of movement
On land, the aggressor’s movements are limited. Rather than exhausting yourself struggling, try bringing him to the ground by lowering yourself gradually or taking advantage of his imbalance on an attack you’ve dodged to push him to the ground.