Self Defense Tactics
Your ability to defend yourself from a street attack will not depend on your knowledge of martial arts as much as it will on your determination to act quickly and forcefully to end the attack and give yourself the chance to escape.
Jet Li doesn't have much to fear in a dark alley. But - I hope this doesn't shock you as much as it did me - you and I are not Jet Li. Probably never will be. (There's a crushing blow to my ego!) You and I have to rely on intelligence, determination, and when possible, the advantage a handy weapon can provide.
Here is a run down of the most practical means for non-lethal self defense you have available to you.
First, you can run away. Happily drunks and junkies are generally not overly fleet of foot. Safely removing yourself from a dangerous situation is the safest thing you can do. If you are being confronted by a hostile jerk, he has probably already decided how and when he is going to go after you. You are at a disadvantage right from the start. If you see an opportunity to skoot, skoot!
Perhaps you're not a track star either. Try distraction. Do the unexpected. Cause a scene. Scream at him, about him, at passers by. Break something, throw something - this will attract a lot of attention. If nothing else, the distraction may give you time to go back to plan A and get out of there.
That didn't work? Now you're trapped in a small space. The jerk is between you and the only exit. He's actually grabbed you?
Unless you are very well-trained, now is not the time to try to remember your last karate lesson. (If you are very well-trained, you won't have to remember - those moves will come automatically!)
If you have nothing to use as a weapon, the eyes, nose, throat, solar plexus and groin offer the best opportunities to inflict sufficient pain to make your get-a-way.
When inflicting pain on an attacker, the most important thing to remember is: DON'T HOLD BACK. Give it all you've got! And don't hesitate. The following targets are the most vulnerable, whether you have a weapon at hand or not.
The two finger poke to the eyes was not only hilarious when Moe, Larry and Curly did it, but, when well struck, your attacker's temporary blindness will give you plenty of time to make your exit.
Your fist, heel of your hand, or your forehead applied forcefully to the tip of the nose will cause great pain and close the eyes of the recipient quickly. So will the tips of your fingers, a fist, or an elbow to the throat. The thug's breathing difficulties can only work to your advantage. Once again, don't hold back. When his grip loosens, run away, screaming.
One of the down sides to a lot of karate practice is that punches are often stopped or pulled. Bad habit. Punch as though your target was a foot behind where it actually is. Get your body weight into it. This is why practicing punches and kicks with a bag helps to better prepare you for the real world: you don't hold back on a bag!
Another vulnerable spot is the solar plexus. It is a bundle of nerves just below the breastbone. A strong blow there, from fist, elbow or knee will collapse most people instantly.
And, of course, the popular groin kick, well landed, will rarely fail to give you time for a hasty departure. It is impossible to say this too often. Give it all you've got!
You can increase your chances of mounting a successful escape by carrying a simple self defense weapon. Kubatons, along with other small keychain striking and cutting weapons, greatly increase the effectiveness of any blow you strike. Leather saps, small folding batons and similar striking weapons can make even the smallest person a formidable opponent!
Pepper spray and stun guns are the next step up, offering the ability to thoroughly disable an attacker quickly and, in the case of pepper spray, at a distance. If you decide to carry these weapons, once again, your determination to use them, your lack of hesitation and mental attitude is as important as having them in your hand.
If you carry pepper spray, or a stun gun, or a keychain weapon, know how they work and how to use them. Have the weapon ready in your hand when you are in vulnerable situations. Entering and leaving vehicles or buildings are particularly dangerous times.
Carrying packages and fumbling for your keys make you doubly open to attack. Look around you. Don't be surprised. Be ready.
If you are attacked, hesitation will only benefit your attacker. Drop your purse. Drop the groceries. Keep your eyes on the threat. Strike hard and fast until the threat is no longer in sight. Put a safe distance between you and your attacker as quickly as possible. Call the cops.
