Being attacked is a position that no one wants to find themselves in, but sadly, no one is completely protected from it. Though special training is always preferable, learning the fundamentals of self-defense will make you feel more at ease and empowered in an emergency circumstance.
I. Basic rules
Make every effort to maintain a safe space between yourself and the attacker.
Whatever you do, do it decisively, confidently, and to the best of your ability.
If your actions shocked the attacker, flee as soon as possible because you may not get another chance to harm them or your effort may not be successful.
When you strike your opponent, aim for the most susceptible parts of his or her body, such as the eyes, nose, neck, solar plexus, groyne, knees, and shins.
Use your voice and be aggressive. Try to attract the attention of others and intimidate the assailant by demonstrating that you are not easily intimidated. Scream, scream, scream, scream, scream, scream, scream, scream, scream, scream, scream, scream, scream, scream, scream,
When you strike the attacker, strive to keep your body in a steady stance. To ensure that your move is strong and powerful, stabilise your core and legs.
Note: Make sure you make a fist correctly
Extend your fingers and keep them together as closely as possible.
Curl your fingers all the way to the root. Make sure your fingers are clenched tightly.
Place your thumb between your index and middle fingers in the centre. Curl it up a little.
To avoid injury when striking with your fist, maintain your wrist straight. The knuckles of your index and middle fingers should be used to strike.
II. Types of strikes
1. Hammer strike
Place one foot in front of the other and elevate your dominant arm as if it were a hammer. Make a fist or keep your keys in your hand with the pointy end facing out.
To hit your target, thrust your hand downward.
2. Heal palm strike
Bend your dominant hand’s wrist. Maintain a straight, tight, and pressed-together grip with your fingertips. To tighten up and strengthen your hand, you should also gently bend your thumb and keep it near to the rest of your fingers.
With the lower half of your palm, strike the attacker in the nose or behind the chin. Continue to hit the aggressor until you get a chance to run away from them.
3. Elbow strike
If an opponent is too near to you and the space available to you is restricted, you can utilise an elbow strike.
Bend your arm and strike the attacker with your elbow, aiming for the neck, chin, and jawline, which are all weak areas. Elbow strikes can be used to hit the adversary from a variety of angles.
III. How to use pressure points
With one hand, grab the attacker’s little and ring fingers; with the other, grab the attacker’s middle and index fingers and move them to the sides. Bend your wrists backwards with the lower half of your palms at the same moment.
Between the collarbones or in the Adam’s apple, hit the attacker with your finger or a fist.
If you strike or crush both eyeballs with your fingers, the attacker’s vision may be briefly impaired, allowing you to flee.
With the palm of your hand, punch the attacker in the jaw. To avoid injury, make sure you don’t punch with your fingers. The attacker may lose consciousness as a result of this strike.
IV. How to hit in the groin
The groyne is the most visible and vulnerable place. Hitting there is a good method to stun the assailant and buy yourself some time to flee.
Your hand, knee, or foot can all be used to strike the groyne area. To avoid injuring yourself, make sure you hit with your palm rather than your fingers if you use your hand.
When you hit with your fist or knee, keep in mind the direction in which the attacker is likely to crunch after your strike and be ready to go in the other direction.
If there is enough space between you and the attacker, strike them with your foot, but only if you’re certain you’ll be able to target their crotch rather than their leg.
V. How to escape from a wrist grab
1. If someone grabbed your hand
Turn your wrist so that the thin part of your wrist is between the attacker’s thumb and fingers and your thumb is pointing up. Your goal is to use your entire body weight to force your wrist through this grip.
As soon as your opponent grabs you, take action. You won’t be able to secure their grasp this way.
Lifting your elbows is not a good idea. Keep them low to the ground and near to your body, but without touching your torso. This prevents the attacker from ramming his elbows into your stomach.
When attempting to escape the grip, go into your opponent rather than away from them. This allows you to make better use of your body weight.
2. If someone grabbed your wrist with 2 hands
Turn your wrist so that the thin part of your wrist is lined up with the attacker’s fingers and your thumb is pointing up.
With your free hand, grab your hand and bring it over your shoulder, releasing the grasp. Make sure your hands are moving across your body rather than straight up. Otherwise, you can inadvertently bump your skull.
Make sure you’re pulling with your entire body, not just your arms, when you’re pulling your arms. Your legs should be in a stable position. Make sure you’re not turning your back on the assailant.
3. If someone grabbed both of your hands
Clasp your hands together if an attacker grabs both of your hands.
Step into the aggressor and strike them in the stomach to knock them off their feet and knock them out.
Then take a step back and release your hands by pulling them back over your shoulder.
VI. How to escape if you were pushed against a wall
Straighten your arm and strike the attacker in the armpit if the attacker keeps their arms up.
If one of the attacker’s arms is down, you can strike them in one of their susceptible areas, such as the chest, throat, or jaw.
It’s also a good idea to hit them in the jaw with your head. Squat slightly to put yourself lower than the attacker. Then leap to your feet and smack them across the face with your forehead.
VII. How to escape from the “bear hug”
Bend forward to shift your weight forward. It will be easier for you to hit the attacker with your elbows if you do it this manner.
Turn and whack the attacker with one of your elbows. Continue doing so until you see that their grasp is loosening and you have gained the extra space.
Then fully turn and strike the attacker in the face or groyne.
Run leave as soon as you’re free. Check to see if the attacker is following you.
