Women Self Defense

By Sharon Cash

In self defense, regardless of gender and age, the basic principles of defense are the same, whatever your situation. You want to get away from your attacker quickly and with as few injuries as possible.

To achieve this, there are six steps you should bear in mind:

1.  Attract attention

Your first line of defense is to shout at the top of your lungs and straight in your attacker’s face. Criminals won’t want people to come to your aid or act as witnesses, so shouting can be enough to scare your attacker away: If you injure your attacker in a struggle, witness will be able to state what you were shouting, proving you to be the victim and not the aggressor. Also, an attacker will be distracted while trying to keep you quiet – perhaps even enough to allow you to escape.

For you, the screaming or shouting is literally a moment to catch your breath. Before or after your scream, you will naturally take a deep breath, pulling in oxygen to help your brain to function and your muscles to fight. Psychological, shouting empowers you; it is a positive action and prepares you for the next step.

As with self defense techniques, remember that practices make perfect. The shock of an attack can cause you to freeze, which is why it’s important to practise screaming and shouting at home until these become instinctive reactions. Make sure that it comes from your lungs and not just your throat. It may feel strange, but it is important to try.

2.  Stay in the Open

One of your priorities in an attack is to stay in an open, public place, if at all possible. Don’t let your attacker force you into a car, alley or house. Something worse may be awaiting you there, and you will have less chance of attracting help. Do anything you can to prevent being dragged away struggle furiously or grab a railing or lamp-post. If you have no other option, drop to the ground like a dead weight. Although you should usually try to stay on your feet, somebody may come to your aid while you are struggling on the ground.

3. Keep your Balance

Often balance is the first thing taught in self-defense classes. Being balanced helps you to avoid being knocked to the ground – a vulnerable position – and allows you to use your legs to kick or stamp. When struggling up close, it will be easier to stay on your feet if you grab your attacker or his clothing – if you are knocked to the ground, you are likely to also take him down with you. An attacker may not want to risk this, because it will put him in a vulnerable position.

Practise your balance with a friend. Ask her to push and pull you by the shoulders to see if you are steady. Strengthen your stance by placing your legs about shoulder-width apart, with one foot in front and one just behind you. Bend your knees slightly, like shock absorbers. Now, quickly swivel your hips from side to side. If you are steady on your feet, you have good balance. If you are falling in any direction, you do not. Bend your knees slightly, like shock absorbers, Now quickly swivel your hips from side to side. If you are steady on your feet, you have good balance. If you are falling in any direction, you do not. Bend your knees a little more or move your feet wider or close together.

Remember: Practice make perfect.

4. Make Your Escape

Your ultimate goal whenever you are being attacked is to escape safely. This means not only doing everything you can to fight off your attacker and prevent injury to yourself, but also being sure not to fight longer than necessary. As soon as you see a chance to run for it, take it. Don’t continue hitting or kicking your attacker: it may give him a chance to attack you again, as you will have lost the element of surprise and he will be more prepared. Also, the authorities may consider a sustained attack from you to be unnecessary and therefore unlawful.

5.  Decide whether to Fight

If you can’t get help or escape from your attacker, you will then have to choose whether to fight or not. No one else can make that decision for you, and it depends entirely on your situation. You probably won’t know how you’ll react until something happens. In principle, however, remember that property always can be replaced, but your life can’t., If somebody grabs your handbag in the street, it may be best just to let it go. Also, if somebody is threatening you or a loved one with a weapon, it’s best to do exactly as he says. Nobody would blame you, nor should you blame yourself, if you don’t put up a struggle.

If you do decide to fight because you feel that you would be injured further or even, killed if you didn’t, then you should put 100 per cent effort into it. It’s no good fighting halfheartedly – your blows will be weak. Having a positive mental attitude will mean that every scream, punch or kick is forceful and brings you one step closer to escape.

6.  Seek Help

If you’ve been attacked, report it to the police as soon as possible. Don’t go home or wait until a police officer comes past, but get to a safe place and phone for help. If there is a shop, pub or petrol station nearby, go inside – the door will be unlocked, so you’ll be able to get in immediately and there may be a pay phone inside. Also, there will be staff and customers there to help you and be witnesses. Wait here until the police arrive.

If you are on a residential street, and there is nowhere public to go, don’t be afraid to knock on someone’s door and ask to use the phone. Although the people in the house may be strangers, the risks that •they may harm you are far less than if you stay on the street with your attacker. Wait in the house for the police to arrive.

Get more self defense moves knowledge at ‘Learn Self Defense Moves Blog’

Tags: persoanl safety tips, Personal Safety and Self Defense Tips, self defence for women, self defense for women, simple self defense for women, women safety, women self defense, Women Self Defense Tips, women self protection, women's self defense

by Megan on November 16th, 2011 | RSS | trackback