How to Survive the Coming Hard Times: Defending Yourself Without Weapons

Using force is only legally justified as self defense when a person assaulted reasonably believes that force is necessary to defend against unlawful force. You are not allowed to respond to a punch with a baseball bat to the head. You can only use enough force that is reasonably justified; however you are out to survive. Here are a few tips to follow in the most common assaults.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Know how to defend against a roundhouse punch. As soon as your attacker cocks his fist, get ready to act. When the hand comes toward you, step back. Hold your left hand in a classic karate chop, known as a knife block. Strike his right arm away from you. Slide your hand down to his wrist. Grab it. With your right hand, slap his elbow up sharply from below breaking his arm. Be prepared for a blow from the left arm. Here’s another roundhouse defense that works well: Again block your assailant’s right hand with a knife block. Step into your assailant and with your closest leg, step hard on his closest leg just above his knee cap. Stomp hard and you’ll break it.

2. Work on a left jab defense. If somebody starts with a left jab as a boxer would, it will most likely be a feint, so parry it and get to work on the right side as before.

3. Consider wrist releases. If somebody grabs your wrist, remember that the thumb is the weakest point of the grip. You can almost always use your hand for leverage on your assailant's forearm, to press against the thumb and break out.

4. Know that the eyes have it. Another good punch defense is going for an assailant’s eyes. Don’t punch. Gather your fingers together as if you are making a spear and thrust hard at the eyes. You can use this technique whether you’re attacked from the front or from behind. It works well because it’s unexpected and will help you escape.

5. Go for the groin. Most attackers are male. This spot is extremely vulnerable. Kick, punch, grab or just squeeze it.

6. Know that if somebody grabs you from behind, you can often reach between your legs, grab one of your assailant’s legs and pull him off his feet. Another technique that works well for an unwanted hug from behind, is thrusting up and elbowing your attacker in the jaw.

7. To escape from a frontal bear hug, you can often use a free hand to reach behind your assailant’s head, grab his hair and snap his head back leaving you breathing room to pry yourself away.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can, take a martial arts or self defense class.

[chava812]

on 3/31/2008 Good quick points - I'll second the tip about taking the self-defense class as they will tend to emphasize that you have to mean it, and go "thru" the point of focus (and will explain that better than I just did).