Putting it All Together - Self-Defense Basics
The good news is that you can learn to protect yourself and you don't even need a black belt. Keep reading for tips on defending yourself, so the next time you feel threatened you'll know what you can do about it.
What Is Self-Defense?
For starters, let's shatter the myth that self-defense only means fighting, such as hitting, kicking, and punching. "I use the term personal safety [instead of self-defense], which is a concept where an individual has a full range of skills and tools to deal with a full range of uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situations," says Donna Chaiet, coauthor of The Safe Zone.
According to Chaiet, personal safety requires four things: awareness, body language, self-esteem, and boundaries. Setting boundaries is probably the most important concept for you to understand. Knowing your boundaries allows you to make better safety choices.
Boundaries come in two forms: physical boundaries represent the space between you and another person and emotional boundaries are lines you draw in terms of how you let other people treat you. For example, suppose you have a friend who constantly shares your secrets with other people. Unless you let him know how you feel, he will never know that he is invading a boundary. However, if you do make your feelings known and he continues with the behavior that bothers you, he isn't respecting your feelings - and is overstepping that boundary.
So what does this have to do with self-defense? According to Chaiet, knowing your own boundaries puts you in a better position to recognize when you're in a potentially dangerous situation. If you're confident and you have a healthy self-esteem, you will more readily sense when trouble is near.
Why Learn Self-Defense?
You study in order to ace your exams at school. You practice your jump shot in preparation for basketball tryouts. So why wouldn't you bone up on ways to protect yourself in the event of an attack or sudden danger? It's much easier to follow a plan if you've already had a few dry runs. The last thing you should be thinking about during an attack is "can I really pull this self-defense tactic off?"
Common Techniques
Using your intuition (inner voice) and voice are two common self-defense techniques. Have you ever been in a situation that just didn't feel right? Perhaps you were walking home alone one night from the bus stop and you had a weird feeling inside. That was your intuition at work telling you to be careful.
It's also important to understand the power of your voice. If you ever feel threatened, you should shout or scream to draw attention to the situation. It's even a good idea to practice speaking loudly (or yelling) so if you were ever in danger, you wouldn't freeze up. Commands like "No!" "Go away!" or "Back off!" are excellent attention-getters if you feel threatened.
De-escalation and redirection are other common self-defense techniques. These strategies involve calming down a bully by agreeing with her and then changing the subject. For example, if that girl taunts you at your locker for the fifth time this week, say something like, "Yes, I know I'm a loser," (de-escalation), then redirect the conversation: "But I'm in a rush to get to class. Aren't you late?" Although this method won't always work, it can only help matters if you remain calm. Don't give bullies or would-be attackers any extra ammunition.
Reduce Your Risk
The National Crime Prevention Council offers the following personal safety tips to reduce your risk in a dangerous situation:
*If you're going to be out at night, travel in a group.
*Don't take shortcuts, especially at night.
*Be aware of your surroundings, and pay particular attention to possible hiding places such as stairways, alleyways, and bushes.
*Be sure your body language shows a sense of confidence and purpose.
*When riding on public transportation, sit near the driver or conductor and stay awake. Remember, attackers are looking for vulnerable targets.
*If someone begins to follow you, try to make it to a safe area, such as a police station, gas station, or other public place. If necessary, scream or yell as you run away to draw attention to the pursuer.
When to Fight Back
If all else fails, it may be necessary to use physical force to protect yourself. However, you should first determine if fighting is really your only hope. If possible, you should try to get away from the dangerous situation to a safe location where someone can help you.
But if a person ignores boundaries you've set, blocks your path to safety, or if your intuition tells you something is wrong, you may have to fight. Chaiet, founder and president of Prepare, Inc., a national organization that teaches children, teens, and adults self-defense, shares a few tips on fighting effectively:
If you are attacked from the front, kick the attacker in the shins or groin (straight up between the legs) or jab the eyes or throat with the bird beak move (wrap your fingers around your thumb to form a beak).
If you are attacked from behind, stomp the attacker's foot with your heel; kick backward with your heel, aiming for the groin or knees or elbow the attacker in the head, throat, or area between the rib cage and stomach.
Use your natural weapons - voice, hands, and feet - to stop an attack. If you're picked up, use your legs to resist. If your legs are not free, use your hands, if possible, to grab and squeeze the groin and twist until you are let go. Once you've broken free, run as fast as you can to get help.
If you're interested in taking a self-defense course, contact your local YMCA or YWCA. Many people also study martial arts, such as karate and judo, as a means of self-defense. Your school's guidance office or gym teacher may also be a good resource. Completion of a course doesn't guarantee your safety, but it will arm you with knowledge and confidence to help you deal with difficult situations.
Updated and reviewed by: Joseph Cetrone, 3rd Dan
Date reviewed: August 2002
Originally reviewed by: Michael Stanwood, ATC, CSCS
