The use of physical force to defend oneself from intruders is self-defense. Self-defense is a countermeasure that includes protecting one’s health and well-being from damage. In several jurisdictions, the use of the right of self-defense as legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is allowed.
Knowing what self-defense is critical because it enables you to defend yourself in a dangerous situation, establishes confidence, makes you more alert, and make the right decision in complicated situations. In India, rape, violence, and even teasing are common forms of crime against women. In an unknown and abandoned setting, these kinds of crimes typically occur. It is, therefore, necessary for individuals to be cautious and conscious of their surroundings.
The use of physical force to fight an instant threat of aggression is physical self-defense. This kind of force may be armed or unarmed. In any case, the chances of success depend on different criteria that, on the one hand, relate to the nature of the situation, and also on the defender’s mental and physical preparedness.
The techniques of self-defense train you to fight rather than freeze. To save yourself from masked goons, here are some simple preventive steps you must take:
- When driving alone, you should take note of the cab number. You can also call anyone and loudly dictate the cab number to warn and evoke fear in the cab driver’s mind if they have any ulterior motive. You can even share your live location with your family and friends
- It’s always helpful to yell and cry out for support. You can have a whistle with you whenever you are stepping out, especially when you are going to areas known for attacks. You can always blow a whistle and draw attention if you get stuck in a lonely place and you feel your voice won’t go far
- Carry a sharp object or pepper spray with you
- If you feel like you are being watched or catch someone looking at you, call them out in public clearly and draw the attention of everyone
For self-defense, many types of martial arts are taught or involve self-defense techniques. Several defense styles can be incorporated expressly for self-defense, while self-defense in other martial or fighting sports can be extended successfully to self-defense.
Some martial arts teach how to avoid situations involving knife or pistol attacks or break away from a blow, while others teach how to strike. Today, many modern martial arts schools use a mix of martial arts styles and techniques to provide more realistic self-defense and tailor self-defense instruction to accommodate individual participants.
Effective self-defense technique
A palm-heel strike
Aim for the nasal bones if you can’t hit the attacker. Straighten your arm with your palm to use this technique, bend your hand back and curl your fingers to shield them. By using the bodyweight, hit the nose or chin upwards.
To perform:
- Flex the wrist using your dominant hand.
- Shoot for either the attacker’s nose, jabbing upward from the nostrils, or jabbing upward at the throat.
- Make sure that your strike recoils. Rapidly pulling the arm back will help thrust the attacker’s head back and up.
- This will make your attacker stumble backward, enabling you to escape their grip.
Elbow use
It can be incredibly painful to strike the attacker with your elbow. It would help if you pointed your elbow towards the ground when someone grabs you from behind, lift your elbow and strike the attacker.
Lift your elbow to hit the attacker on his or her jaw when someone grabs you in the front.
To perform:
- Stabilize yourself, if you can, with a solid core and legs to ensure a decisive blow.
- Bend your arm at the elbow, move your weight forward, and punch your elbow into the throat, jawline, chin, or temple of your attacker. All of these are efficient hits.
- This could destabilize your attacker, allowing you to run.
Escaping a bear hug
The perpetrator will come in from behind. Please do your hardest not to panic.
To perform:
- Grab the arms of the attackers to take leverage.
- To try to unbalance your attacker, drop your weight as low as you can.
- While remaining low, pick your foot up-either side, and stomp on your attacker’s foot.
- Take a step forward away from the attacker after stomping their foot. At this point, you should be able to escape.
Punch your attacker
You can punch or slap your attacker in the face if they are in front of you. You can hit the intruder by using your knuckles.
To perform:
- It would be best if you made a ball with your fist.
- Look for a place that would hurt (face, temple, jawline, or throat).
- Hit hard and hit fast.
Escaping a chokehold
There is a speedy way to get out of it if someone haves you in a front choke hold.
To perform:
- It will help if you spread your legs first.
- Then you have to take a big turn to the right or left.
- Bring your arm up and wrap your arm around the attackers’ hands.
- You’ll be able to elbow with your free arm from here.
Attack the groin area
This technique is especially effective in men. Hitting the groin area would paralyze your attacker, which would give you ample time to escape.
To perform:
- Stabilize yourself in the best possible way.
- Liftoff the ground your dominant leg and start pushing your knee upwards.
- Extend your dominant leg, bring your hips forward, lean back slightly, and strike hard, allowing contact between your foot’s lower shin or ball and connect with the groin area of the attacker.
Hammer strike
One of the best ways to protect yourself is by using your car keys. It’s best not to use your fingernails, which may increase the risk of hurting your hand. You can make a conscious effort to have your key or something sharp with you, especially when you are visiting areas you don’t trust.
To perform:
- Use a strong fist to hold your key ring, like holding a hammer, with keys extending from the side of your palm.
- In a downward strike, thrust into your target.
It helps to always prepare for the worst because your attacker wouldn’t inform you of their visit. Self-defense has saved countless people from both mental and physical trauma or even death.
A survey in January 2018 showed about 81% of 1,000 women globally had experienced some form of assault, sexual harassment, or a bit of both. It helps to be well prepared for anything.
Sources
Self-Defense: A Skill We All Must Develop For Our Safety – youthincmag
8 Self-Defense Moves Every Woman Needs to Know – healthline
