Hello :-)
Here are my 10 streetwise, self-defense tips.
I have been practicing self-defense skills for many years, so I thoughtt that it would be nice to share my knowledge with Steemit users.
I hope that you find these tips valuable.
Tip 1: Awareness.
Self-defense is not just about fighting. Fundamental aspect of self-defense is knowing how to avoid confrontation in the first place. Try to be always aware and learn how to recognize danger. Awareness techniques focus on pre-assault aspect of confrontation.
Many people think that self-defense is only about the ability to fight. This way of thinking focuses only on physical techniques. Success in self-defense is not about winning the fight but about avoiding it. The simple philosophy of self-defense is:
- If you can’t prevent the confrontation, try to avoid it.
- If you can’t avoid the confrontation, try to defuse it.
- If you can’t defuse the confrontation, try to escape it.
- If you can’t escape the confrontation, try your best to fight your way out.
In most cases potential attackers can be recognised by their behaviour. Learn how to recognize such behaviour to be step ahead before the attacker. Attackers don’t attack randomly and they tend to look for their victims, before the assault. They project their intentions through their behaviour: they watch, follow, and test the victim. Predator’s primary target is someone who is unaware of their surroundings and is relaxed about personal safety. There is nothing worse for self-defense, than false sense of security.
Awareness is about having the skill to read people’s intentions, recognize situations and estimate the probabilities for potential confrontation, in advance. The sooner you recognize the danger, the more possibilities of reaction you have, and the lesser chance of being harmed.
Awareness is not about being paranoid or neurotic. It is a mindful, relaxed and alerted state of mind which has become a part of your character. It has nothing to do with fearful paranoia of looking behind at every shadow and behind every corner.
Different situations require different level of this awareness, so your level of awareness has to be proportional to circumstances. Obviously, being alone late at night, in some dodgy area, require more awareness than strolling around the busy park with your friends during the day.
Pay attention to the right things at right time:
- Is anyone watching or following me
- Locations of potential ambush
- Routes for escape
Of course, you cannot be highly aware all of the time, and you do not have to be, but you can improve it by regular training:
- Take full responsibility for your safety
- Practice your observational skills.
- Analyze situations in your life where higher awareness was needed.
- Read books and articles about self-defense.
- Analyze news articles/videos to learn about assailant’s patterns of behaviour and what factors influence or instigate these behaviours.
- Join credible self-defense classes or courses (like Krav Maga etc.).
Tip 2: On the street there are no rules.
In a real life confrontation when someone assaults you or those around you, there are no rules. They may violently harm or even kill you. This is life and death situation and the risks are too high, so you cannot let yourself lose. Losing may cost you too much. You have to value yourself and your life more than attacker hates you.
Tip 3: Always try to defuse the situation.
When someone is insulting you, ignore the insult. Be assertive, calm and in control when you talk to potential aggressor. Try not to escalate the situation by letting your ego react by throwing some insults back. If someone doesn’t stop being verbally aggressive towards you, then leave the area (if you are in the club or pub, let security know).
Tip 4: Use preemptive strike.
If all possible ways of getting out of confrontation without a fight, have failed, then it is good to take initiative and strike opponent first. Try to use simple and straight forward techniques like kick/knee strike to the groin, eye gouging, headbutt or hook punch into the jaw. Continue by following with few quick strikes if necessary and then run away.
Tip 5. Look for potential weapons for self-defense.
Always scan around for potential tolls/weapons you can use for defense or for distraction: bottles, sticks, stones, bricks, beer mugs, handbags, rubbish bins, ashtrays, pencils/pens, keys etc.
For distraction you can even use objects like newspaper, by throwing it towards assailant’s eyes. This would give you precious second or two to follow with strike or escape.
Tip 6: Once you are in the fight, be aggressive and don't stop fighting.
Aggressiveness is the most important skill in self-defense. I know that it may sound very difficult, because aggression is not our normal and default state of mind (at least in most of us). Learning techniques and tactics is much easier than learning how to be aggressive.
Our techniques may fail, but we can make it up with our aggression. When you cause serious pain to your attacker, they are unlikely to continue attacking you (for example ‘destroying’ attacker’s groin). We have to train ourselves to be able to suddenly switch to being very aggressive, when circumstances require it. I know that when we are under threat, we are scared and our adrenaline is high, but you have to fight until you harm your attacker enough, that he is unwilling to continue attacking you, particularly when they have any weapon (including the gun). Being aggressive does not mean having no control of the situation.
Tip 7: Try to be as fast as you can.
The attacker won’t give you a luxury of hesitation. React fast. Every second counts, especially when you run for your life.
Tip 8: Always be aware of your surroundings during the fight.
Before, during and after confrontation always try to look around for other attackers. Male attackers seldom attack other males alone. In vast majority of assaults, attackers assault in groups or they have their buddies nearby. If some male attacks you alone, it is probably because he is completely drunk (on drugs), or completely unstable psychologically. Keep scanning around and look for potential routes of escape (streets, doors, windows etc.). After you defeat, submit or disarm your attacker, always scan around and check what is behind you.
Tip 9: Don’t play a hero and do a bit of acting.
When you are threatened or approached by potential attacker(s), don’t play a hero. Pretend to be scared and use a bit of acting. Try not to disclose that you know what you are doing, and use it to your advantage. Then suddenly surprise by striking or running away.
Tip 10: Always keep your hands up.
Always keep your hands up, in front of you in defensive position, between you and assailant (elbows down, palms open and facing the attacker). This stance increases your chances of defending yourself on time – it gives your hands quicker reaction if you need to strike or block. Expect the attacker to strike at any time. Also, keep your hands up even after you defeat the attacker. There is a possibility that the attacker may return or that there are secondary attackers. Keep your hands up, even when you are running away (you may run into some other people or objects).
Never clinch your fists until you are in the fight. Having your fists clenched before the fight looks like you are going to punch someone - if someone watches (or CCTV records) the confrontation from the distance, it looks like you are an aggressor, not defender (potential legal consequences).
I hope that you found this reading helpful. If you have any questions about some techniques or situations, please write them down in comments below. I will try to answer them as best as I can, according to my knowledge.
If there is enough interest, I may even start making Steemit self-defense video series where I will respond to your questions and offer other tips.
-logic