Basic Self-Defense For The Untrained Woman

One problem all women face is having to deal with an attacker who has more training or experience than she does. Most attackers are more than willing to take advantage of that, usually by rattling her so that she makes mistakes or forcing her into a position that can make defense virtually impossible. Worse, the woman thinks she needs to think strategically when that should be the last thought on her mind: She should be worried about getting out of the situation as quickly as possible and nothing else.

If you want to escape an attack unscathed you need to stop worrying about every step and fully commit to doing whatever it takes to get out of there. With that in mind, here are a few tips.

Size Really Doesn't Matter

Everyone is told that the bigger a fighter is, the more powerful they are and thus the more likely they are to win. This is true to a certain degree: Bigger people do tend to get forced into a combat role as they grow up, either because of an interest in fighting or as self-defense against bullying, So there is a certain degree of truth here. However, what they don't tell you is that there are pluses and minuses to one's height that when taken into account help to balance the odds somewhat.

Also, don't assume that just because someone is a thug he has actual fighting experience. Most thugs are pretty much all about two tactics (punch a lot and have one person hold the person while the other punches a lot). These guys don't get into a fight to win; they get into a fight for bragging rights and so their bar is pretty low: They just need to survive and they're happy. Thus, they tend to be bullies and can usually be handled as such: Do significant damage or otherwise show you have no reason to fear them and they usually back off.

Fighters with actual training and experience usually avoid fighting if they don't need to because they know the risks. That knowledge makes them more cautious and more likely to avoid fights, especially if they don't know the capabilities of potential opponents. This means that street thugs are more likely to be kids looking for an easy score than actual fighters.

Bigger people can deliver more powerful blows and absorb more damage. However, they are also slower and are easier to hit. They also tend to be slower to react to changing situations. Conversely, while a shorter person delivers less damage and can't tank as well, they are faster, tend to be able to react faster, and present a smaller target. This means that if a smaller person can keep things together and stay on her feet, she may be able to take someone who is even just a head taller.

[Note carefully that these are trends NOT absolutes. A short, pudgy is going to take more damage than a tall, thin person, for example. It's also possible to have a big, muscular man who is fast as lightning, especially if he has no body fat. This also assumes two fighters who have similar fighting experience; change the number of fighters or the level of experience.]

Overall, this means that if you can keep it together you have a greater chance of being able to run away than if you lose it.

Lack of Resistance For Survival

There are two simple tactics that most thugs don't use that you can. Most thugs want to show they can take a hit so they don't dodge; since their usual opponents don't dodge, they tend to target their punches about half a pace directly in front of them. Dodging, putting it succinctly, is the art of not being where the blow lands; if you take a half step in any direction, you're not where they're targeting. If they keep missing, they're likely to get frustrated and take off or get angry and keep attacking; if they get angry, they're going to hit harder and faster, but they also lose accuracy.

A couple of good attacks from you can end the fight if you're fast enough to keep dodging.

The other attack works great if you get grabbed. If you get grabbed in a fight, then go limp. We're not talking relax here; we're talking "totally relax every muscle in your body" limp. As everyone knows,. There is nothing harder to hold than someone actively relaxing every muscle at one time; whoever is holding you is going to have a hard time holding you. At the very least, this means you can position yourself for an attack, at best, it will allow you to slip out of most holds, especially as they aren't expecting most of the time.

This gives you two very effective defenses that you don't need to really think about, giving you a slight edge in a fight.

Pressure Points to Remember

Any experienced fighter knows that there are a dozen pressure points scattered across the body and if you apply enough pressure to any of them you cause the opponent great pain and may incapacitate them. We're not worried about those. You only need to worry about four: Th shins, the groin, and the sternum. Sure, going after joints, the throat, and the eyes and ears can end the fight, but the reality is that they're usually too well-defended for you to take advantage of. You just need targets that are to get to and can cause serious damage if you hit them.

The shins (specifically, the point between the ankle and the knee) can cause the opponent to fall if you're lucky (or if you hit both in very quick succession); they're also subject to being hit as many times as you want until the opponent is in a curb-stomp position. If you hit the groin hard enough (even if the opponent is a woman) to stun them or put them out of the action. The sternum is that indentation where all of the ribs meet; it sits right on top of the diaphragm and protects the lungs: If you hit it with enough force, you will knock the wind out of the person for at least a solid couple of seconds (more likely far longer).

Here's the better part: You know how women are shorter than men? This lines you up perfectly for the sternum.

Keep these four points in mind and you should do okay.

Kick First, Knee/Elbow Second, Punch Last

You're an untrained fighter, so embrace it. Normally, starting a fight with a kick is a bad idea as it sets up the kicker for numerous defenses from the target. Kneeing the target is out of the question because you need to get close enough for it to work. This makes punches the best opening move. However, we're reversing that order just for you. While you're dodging, you're going to want to kick the opponent's shins; it's a low attack that's hard to defend against and can drop the opponent out of sheer pain.

If an opportunity comes up to punch the groin or solar plexus, take it Both of these shots can either end the fight quickly or give you a major advantage.

[Quickly, here's how you throw a punch: Put your feet one in front of the other with the foot of the hand you're going throw the punch behind you. Cock the fist (thumb outside) so that the arm is parallel to the shoulder and the elbow as far as possible. When you throw it, go straight out while twisting your body so that the bulk of the power comes from your waist. Twist your body in reverse to pull the arm back into position. If you did it right, it should resemble a piston.]

If you get grabbed, you have options. Lots of options. If you're facing toward the opponent, position your leg so that it's between his, and then bring the knee straight up. If you're facing away. Start jabbing with your elbows. In either position, you can hook your foot around his leg and push him; if you're lucky, he falls with you on top of him. Don't forget that you can always stomp on his feet. You can also go completely limp, which should help you escape.

Yet again: Simple tactics will help you survive. Don't get too complicated or it may cost you.

Some Non-Lethal Alternatives

Let's talk weapons. Specifically, non-lethal weapons. While there is a plethora of options. There are four that you should probably look into: tasers, pepper sprays, stun batons, and a large flashlight. The one you use is going to depend on personal preference so we're not going to get into them here. However, you want one that fits easily into your purse, you've taken time out to practice with it a couple of times, and you feel comfortable using it. You may also want to look into a personal alarm or whistle (just something that makes a loud noise) to call attention to yourself.

You want to debate tactical pens, batons, "key chain weapons" (weapons you can affix to your key chain), and brass knuckles. Tactical pens, batons, and similar weapons require training to use effectively while brass knuckles are generally illegal. Key chain weapons usually skirt legality or are actually illegal. Thus, while these may be effective weapons, they are not weapons you want to carry with you.

Just Survive

These tips are not guaranteed to get out of a mess. However, they should help you at least put up a decent defense, which in and of itself may convince your attackers to take off: The damage they're receiving is just not worth whatever they were after. Your goal is to survive the situation; all else is secondary. Almost everything that you're carrying can be replaced, and if you're dead or seriously injured you're going to have problems restoring what was taken. These tips are NOT meant to help you kick butt; they are meant to help you survive, usually by running away.

So one last tip: Don't be a hero; be a survivor. That is your first priority; all else is secondary.