Basic Self-Defense Moves Everyone Should Know
Man or woman, everyone should know basic self-defense moves in case you’re ever attacked. Here are some basic self-defense moves that anyone can do.
On average, every 98 seconds, someone in the United States is assaulted. Sometimes the attack is random. Other times, it comes from a partner or family member.
Whether you think that you are in danger or not, learning basic self-defense can be the difference between getting away or experiencing serious or even life-threatening injuries.
Luckily, there are plenty of self-defense techniques for men and women that can help you protect yourself in any situation. Keep reading to learn a few that anyone can put to use.
Watch Your Surroundings
Perhaps the simplest self-defense tips are those that don’t require any physical exertion. These are the tips that you can put to use before an attack, to prevent it or to give yourself a head start on running away from your attacker.
If you are returning to your car alone, in the dark, always pay attention to the area around your vehicle as you approach. Take a look in your back seats before you get in, to make sure that there isn’t someone hiding in wait.
When you are walking alone in an unpopulated area, it’s important to pay attention to your surroundings. Most attackers will wait until you are distracted by your cell phone or other items.
If you are ever worried that you may be in an unsafe area or believe that someone could be following you, you can use your cell phone to call someone, talking loudly about where you are and what you’re doing to discourage anyone who may be around you.
Even if you are attacked, the person on the other line will be able to quickly alert the police and get help on the way faster than you would be able to on your own.
At home, you can reduce your chances of an attack by utilizing dark blinds to keep outsiders from seeing what is going on in your home, and set up an alarm system to let you know when someone is inside who shouldn’t be.
Aim for the Eyes
Whether your attacker is larger than you or not, your best line of attack is to get away from him or her as quickly as possible.
When you are under attack, politeness has to go out the window. If someone is planning to hurt you, it’s important to not be afraid to hurt them as well in order to get away.
To give yourself a chance to get a head start on running, one simple self-defense technique is to aim for your attacker’s eyes.
Scratching, gouging, or poking your attacker’s eyes as soon as you realize what is going on will catch them off guard and, at the very least, momentarily stun them. This gives you a chance to run, screaming loudly as you go to alert anyone who may be nearby.
In many cases, this may be enough to prove to your attacker that you aren’t going to go down without a fight, which might cause them to give up and leave as well. You can then continue on to safety and inform police of the attack.
Use Your Strongest Parts to Hit Your Attacker’s Weakest
Another simple self-defense technique for women or men is to use the strongest parts of your body to target your attacker’s weakest.
For instance, your elbows and knees, with their hard, bony surfaces, are some of your body’s strongest points. When aimed at a person’s eyes, nose, ears, legs, or on men, groin, even an older individual or someone who is not physically fit can inflict serious damage.
If you are worried that you may not be strong enough to take down an attacker or would like more training, there are tons of self-defense videos available on the web that can teach you more specific techniques and skills for protecting yourself during an attack.
When searching for specific self-defense techniques, look for those that allow you to get out of difficult situations when you may not be able to hit your attacker in a weak spot.
For instance, learning how to get out of a chokehold or to break free from wrist constraints could save your life one day.
Arm Yourself
If you live or frequent an area that has a high crime rate, or simply want to better protect yourself in case of an attack, another easy self-defense tip is to arm yourself.
You don’t need a concealed carry license and a gun to do this. There are tons of discrete, easy to use weapons designed for self-defense. Pepper spray, stun guns, and personal defense alarms are all small enough to fit in a pocket or purse, but powerful enough to disarm or disorient a would-be attacker.
This website has tons of great options for men and women looking to better protect themselves or their loved ones from an attack.
If you don’t want to carry a weapon, even keeping your car keys or an ink pen in your hand while walking in the dark or leaving somewhere on your own and heading to your car.
Keep your keys or a pen in your hand, pointed sharp-end outward. If you find yourself under attack, you’ll be able to quickly jab the item in the direction of your attacker’s eyes to give yourself a chance to get away.
Learning Basic Self-Defense
No matter your age, gender, size, or level of physical fitness, learning basic self-defense tips like these is important. They can not only help you protect yourself, but also perhaps allow you to protect others with you, or even strangers on the street in the event of an attack.
One important time to protect yourself with these self-defense tips is while traveling. Whether you’re headed for a beach vacation or a big city adventure, any time you are in an unfamiliar place, it’s a good idea to be prepared.
If you’ll be exploring New York on your own, or if any other large city, check out these tips for staying alert and safe on your trip.
