Introduction

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There are various successful ways you can defend yourself.  Knowing basic self-defence and disengagement techniques can help you avoid violence and feel more confident if you must defend yourself.  As mentioned in previous lessons we covered the formula of self defence, in which combat and defences are your second last response before escape.  The following lessons will teach you more about combat and defence techniques as well as defence with deadly weapons.  

Regardless of the defence mechanism you choose or are forced to choose, there are a few things to always keep in mind:

  • Have a plan of action.
  • Remain aware of your surroundings; watch for opportunities to escape or new threats.
  • Keep moving – it makes you harder to hit.
  • Escape as soon as you can.
  • Use combinations rather than single strikes.
  • Use terrain and obstructions to slow or hamper attackers.
  • Remember the law!
  • Don’t go to the ground.
  • Don’t wrestle or grapple with someone bigger or stronger than you.
  • Don’t wrestle or grapple with anyone!
  • Don’t stay to fight if you can escape.
  • Don’t lose control and become an animal.
  • Don’t fight unless you have no alternative!
  • Don’t let someone take you to a more secluded place.

Various Tactics in Self-Defence

There are various techniques that can be used in self-defence to distract or deceive an attacker in order for you to escape, evade or defend yourself. Our first instinct as human beings is to strike, whether it is with a punch, striking with an object, knee to the groin etc. But your first instinct is rarely to consider distraction as a self-defence technique.

It is possible to use tricks and distractions to create an opening to escape or give you a chance to land a pre-emptive strike. It is a powerful tool that will help you to gain the offensive advantage in a fight.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with using such tricks – after all, you are using them against someone who is attacking you!

If a fight is imminent, your attacker will expect a punch of some sort and his brain is already preparing a response. To throw something in his eyes for instance will throw him off guard as his brain was not expecting it. This will create a “break-state”, short circuits his response mechanism and forces his natural instinct to kick in and he will probably flinch away. This will give you the advantage to follow up with a strike which he won’t see coming.

How to make this work:

  • Aim for the eyes: The eyes are the most vulnerable area in the face. Always aim for this.
  • Set the stage to already have something in your hand and be prepared.
  • Don’t make it obvious: Don’t threaten to throw something. This will prepare your attacker and he will react. It must come as a total surprise.
  • Liquid is better than solid: Hitting someone with a solid object is a one-time event, but liquid can make a lasting impression. Even water will make it difficult for your attacker to immediately react and expect a strike.
  • Train yourself to identify what is nearby. You will rarely find that there is nothing in your vicinity that you cannot use as a distraction object. Look around at what is at your disposal.
  • Do not throw away anything valuable, e.g. keys, phone, wallet, etc.

Contrary to popular belief, it is perfectly legal to strike someone pre-emptively if you have reason to believe that there is a real threat. ‘He was about to punch me’ is good enough. There is no rule in law to say that a person must wait to be struck first before defending himself/herself.

Pre-empting an attack with a powerful strike is a good option if you’re sure things are about to go out of control.

Advantages of this approach:

  • It puts the defender (you) on the front foot.
  • It can disorientate an attacker as they now have to switch to defence mode.
  • It disrupts the attacker’s attack plan.
  • This approach can prevent a situation reaching the point where you cannot win.

Anything you pick up can be used as a weapon.

Any heavy object can add weight to a blow, any sharp object can cut or stab and anything that looks remotely like a weapon vastly increases your chances of deterring an attack.

Someone who does not believe you can hurt them with your fists may not be so sure about a table lamp or a kitchen knife.

Shielding objects are anything that can serve as a barrier between you and your attacker. These include shopping trolleys, a table, an umbrella, and vehicles, etc.

  • Bookmark shielding objects as you move around in your daily life.
  • Scan for cover in a relaxed and appropriate way.
  • Use what is at hand to shield yourself from the attacker.
  • Always keep the barrier object between you and the attacker.
  • Be aware of the possibility of other attackers.
  • Run to a safe area and get help.

Common objects are anything you can pick up and use as a weapon to protect yourself. Examples include a glass of water, an ashtray, a pen, a handbag etc.

  • Identify objects that can be thrown.
  • Be aware of common objects in your hand or on your person.
  • Use “reach” in defence with common objects to shield from an attack.


NOTE: Train your mind and body to
identify the threat and respond instinctively.
If you do not make this training part of
your everyday life you will not respond effectively.