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7 Simple but Essential Self-Defense Tricks [w/Pics]

lifehackery.com — All of us want to learn kung fu. Who doesn ’t want to kick like Chuck Norris and use nunchakus like Bruce Lee? Unfortunately, many of us are too busy to attend martial arts training sessions. You can buy a “how to” book of martial arts, but they usually have complicated instructions that you will likely forget during an actual attack.

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  • ventsi, on 06/29/2008, -0/+7almost like me
    :)
  • M724, on 06/29/2008, -1/+5Pretty useful.
  • stvalentino, on 06/29/2008, -1/+5nice tricks, on my way to learn them !
  • daonlyfreez, on 06/29/2008, -4/+14"1. To Survive, Accept the Fact That You May Die

    Here’s a fact that is useful to remember when someone attacks you: you may get killed and panicking doesn’t reduce your chances of getting killed. Accept this fact because it should help you concentrate despite the surge of fear. Many people fear for their lives too much in dangerous situations, that they ultimately fail to save their lives. Rather than vehemently denying and fearing the fact that you could die, accept it. This is the only way to get it out of your mind and think of options before you – options that can save your life."

    True. However, you can not learn this from a book, this has to be trained. Fearing for your life is actually not the "main concern", way more important is to train to be "desensitized". If you are attacked and unprepared or untrained, you will probably just "freeze", unable to move at all, or, if you let the fear over your life control you, you won't be in control no more and you'll do uncontrolled things. You have to both get this "freeze-reflex" and the "irrational fear" out of your system, and this can only be done by training.

    "2. Attack When You’re Being Attacked

    Your instincts are made to protect you. There is one instinct though that will most likely lead to your destruction when your attacker is near you: running away. Sure running away helps, but only when your attacker is a good distance away. Rather than retreating, advance. In a typical scenario where your attacker is the one who feels he is the predator and you’re the prey, he doesn’t expect you to fight back at all. If you react quick enough, you’ll be able to surprise him and open up opportunities to deliver damage."

    True. But _only_ if you know what you are doing, if you don't, running away definitely is your best option, and don't worry, it doesn't make you a coward. Screaming very loudly is also a good defense weapon.

    "5. The Triangle Trick

    Keep in mind that you don’t have to get hit during a fight. Imagine a vertical line dividing your body into two. Your attacker is going to attack some point along or around that line. Moving in a straight line forward or backward will change your distance from the attacker, but it doesn’t get your centerline out of the attack path. On the other hand, moving laterally left or right moves your centerline but it doesn’t change the distance between you and your attacker. The trick is to move along a triangle to change both the location of your centerline and your distance at the same time."

    Nice in theory, but not very useful if you have received no training whatsoever.

    I agree with the other points mentioned, but I think the most important things are:

    - Avoid the fight, try talking, try screaming if that doesn't help, try running away, and _only_ if you have no other option, fight, and fight with all force, don't hold back
    - "24" is a television series, "The Matrix" is a movie, MMA is a sport. In short: don't be fooled by what you see on television, it has _nothing_ to do with real life fighting situations
    - You _cannot_ learn how to defend your from books or videos, you'll _need_ training.
    • Gemfinder, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2"- Avoid the fight, try talking, try screaming if that doesn't help, try running away, and _only_ if you have no other option, fight, and fight with all force, don't hold back"

      This is classic Sun Tzu. It's one of "The Art of War's" central tenets.
  • rawrzzz, on 06/29/2008, -2/+101. Avoid fighting at all costs.
    2. If fight does break out, make sure that you're between your attacker and an exit.
    3. Make your first hit your last. Make it count.
    4. Aim for the face, stomach, or shin. Males have a natural instinct to protect their groin, so you may want to avoid that.
    5. Try to avoid kicking, as whenever you do, you have to stand on one leg, making you unbalanced...
    6. AVOID FIGHTING!!!
    • Gemfinder, on 06/29/2008, -0/+3Going for the knees is more strategically sound. A man can pivot and block a groin shot, but the only defense to a kick at the knee — especially from the side — is for the aggressor to jump back. You want this. It opens an escape route.
      A knee shot is also harder to see coming. Half of blocking is seeing the attack coming.
      If you choose flight, be cunning: grab whatever you can and throw it into the path of whoever is pursuing you. He can't catch up if he's clearing away boxes, trash cans and chairs.
    • mariajose578, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1None of this stuff is going to help if you're in a genuine fight. Better to practice practice practice with a real defense system like Krav Maga or even JuJitsu. Once your defense is a 'natural' reaction to the attack, you'll be more likely to survive.
    • gfxlonghorn, on 06/29/2008, -1/+1Are you serious? This has to be the worst advice ever. If you are getting mugged that is awful advice.

      Very few people can get a knockout punch, or even a punch debilitating enough to stun them long enough to get away free. This article is very correct in terms of where to attack. The shins are one of the bodies hardest body parts, and take it from me, even a direct shin hit can be nullified by adrenaline(true for soccer anyway).

      This isn't a school yard brawl, if your in serious danger and being mugged, chances are you aren't going to be faster than your mugger( seeing as the target the weaker people).
      • artfiend77, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1True, if you're being mugged, just aim for the nuts, or throat and RUN. Don't start going shin to shin with an attacker.
    • Gimpyfuzznut, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1If you are going to try to strike the face, make sure you AVOID the TEETH at all costs. Yes, it might be nice to knock someone's tooth out but the problem with this is you will likely cut your hands and leave exposed, open wounds on your fists. It is a real easy way to contract something nasty after the fighting ends. Avoid the HIV!
    • Fr33th0t, on 06/29/2008, -0/+0Skip all those except 1 and 6. If you don't practice it, don't do it. Go for the eyes, knees and groin. Take some courses in defense JIC.
    • CaviMike, on 06/29/2008, -0/+17: Do not talk about Fight Club
  • siandt, on 06/29/2008, -1/+7If I ever get into a fight, my main recourse will be to tears and flailing wildly, maybe some ineffectual kicking.
    • greenroom628, on 06/29/2008, -0/+6i prefer crumbling into the fetal position and going to my happy place.
    • Jereso, on 06/29/2008, -0/+3So be like a spoiled 14 year old girl who's parents won't buy her a $200 purse?
    • diggB, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2Funny, I usually cower behind my hands screaming "Not the face! Not the face!"
  • lisaawesome, on 06/29/2008, -0/+4Unless I am in a fight with a midget or a toddler, I don't think I will ever get past the first step where I accept that I may die.
  • Shabow, on 06/29/2008, -3/+6I only need one trick.


    Shoot the bastard.
  • dannytehmanny, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2frag him
  • Gemfinder, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1Good common-sense article. Especially the last line; if someone tries to start ***** with you, just believe that there's nothing he can do to you that you can't do to him. Even if they have a weapon and you don't, then make his weapon yours by capturing it.
    • brucealmighty, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2Or just use your superpowers......?
  • Thrash16, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2I find that quickly removing all of my clothing and hugging the attacker is very effective...
  • DeviantDragon, on 06/29/2008, -0/+101. "That's my purse!"
    2. "I don't know you!"
    3. *crotch punt*
    • bigpete591, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2That boy aint right..
    • Skafia, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2Coming out of left field with a quote from Bobby Hill...nice.
      Man I don't even like King of the Hill. Why the ***** do I know this quote?
      • gfxlonghorn, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2It's not a show I watch regularly, but that was a fantastic episode.
  • db0255, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1"Stones on the ground are useful"

    They're only useful so much as you can aim. Once you reach for a stone, your aggressor will do likewise most likely, and if you don't hit him first, chances are you just caused yourself more grief.
    • onux16, on 06/29/2008, -0/+0while stones can be used as projectiles, they, too, can be used as in-hand weapons.
      1. smashing a rock across someone's face does less damage to your hand and more to their cheek bones.
      2. punching with a stone in your hand actually increases the impact on the target. Due to the added weight of the stone, there's more momentum behind the punch, thereby increasing the force on contact. Keep in mind, though, that the bigger the stone, the slower the punch will be.
      • artfiend77, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1I don't know about that holding a stone in your hand and punching. Seems you're more likely to hurt yourself than the attacker.
      • onux16, on 06/29/2008, -0/+0anyone who punches with a stone in their hand probably would. Hell, I don't even think it's logical to punch with a stone; I'd just bash it against the person's head. I was just pulling ideas out of my a** at the time =)
  • futebollounge, on 06/29/2008, -0/+4all you gotta get is wrist control and then pull out a gun.
  • lordigor, on 06/29/2008, -0/+5If it's not taught by Bas Rutten, it's not important.
  • chrisfarley, on 06/29/2008, -2/+2Better yet: go take some classes in Krav Maga.
  • Vikaas, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1I'd definitely rather kick and use weapons and anything else like Bruce Lee.
  • JasonCox, on 06/29/2008, -0/+41) Carry a gun
    2) Incase attacker brings a knife to a gun fight, carry an even bigger gun (w/ bayonet)
    3-7) Just keep bringing larger guns
  • scottmoss, on 06/29/2008, -1/+1and never bring a knife to a gun fight.....
  • BattleScars, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1"The groin is the most effective to hit because it sticks out, it’s at the center, and it’s very painful when hit."

    I can vouch for that.
  • JasonCox, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1Rodney's way to never lose a fight:
    http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?vi ...
    (skip to about 1:05)
  • scooterbaga, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1Keys are a nasty weapon that most people have. You hold them so a key is sticking out between each of your fingers. It's an easy thing to do subtly as well... It just looks like you're digging in your pocket/purse for your keys.
  • IpsoPhatso87, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2When being mugged, stop drop and roll. The mugger will run like hell thinking your are insane. If you happen to be mugged while aflame; double win!!!
  • Mazrin67, on 06/29/2008, -0/+0Should be titled: 7 Ways to get your butt kicked.

    Unless of course you actually have any degree of training.
    Then again, I'm well trained in three different styles of martial arts and I'm pretty sure I'd rather talk my way out of any fight I saw coming. If I couldn't do that I'd run. Fighting is dumb. Not counting the fact that even if you beat the crap outta the guy who started it you might get arrested.
  • Peko, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1FTA: "Yes, just like the big boss in any video game, your attacker is full of weak spots however fearsome he might seem."

    I like to use A X B Y A A X Y in a fight. Tough combo to use but it totally kicks ass.
    • artfiend77, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2Or how about up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B A Start? AT least he gets you down you'll have 29 more tries.
  • artfiend77, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1Yeah, if possible avoid bringing in weapons ( knives, guns, bottles...) hand to hand. It's old school, it's effective.
    I found in a lot of fights with bigger people, show no fear. He talks to you, he insults you, you talk back, be a smart ass. Most of the time the psychological fear you have is removed when you see the other guy sees he isn't affecting you. If he gets mad and starts swinging even better he's using his anger to swing wildly keep yourself cool, calm, look for an opening, relax your body. You'd be surprised what you can do when you have full control of yourself.

    But I agree, avoid the fight all together, try and talk your way out of it.
  • transform100, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2Buy a USP 40 and shoot the mother *****?
  • D14BL0, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1lifehackerY.com? Looks like somebody's trying to get typo traffic.
  • onux16, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1I'm surprised the article didn't mention anything about lowering one's center of gravity -- in a nutshell, bend the knees. It's advantageous for all sorts of reasons, none of which I will list (too lazy, I am)

    The article also comes close to this when it mentioned using your hips with kicking: you need to move your entire body with your strike. If my right hand deals the "power punch", I want my right foot back and my left foot forward. As I thrust my fist forward, I'll move my right shoulder with the fist and use my right foot for additional forward momentum.

    Granted, any time an issue arises, talking out the problem should be the first step. But anyone interested in self-defense in the event a fight is inevitable should know how to throw a decent punch.
  • Gimpyfuzznut, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1The majority of the time, the outcome of the fight has already been determined before it has even started. Think Sun Tzu - know your enemy, know what he is capable of, and so on. Fighting is very much psychological. Even a small, skinny guy can take down the big hulking attacker.

    In Japanese jujitsu there are techniques for "seeing through" your opponent. There's one which translates to the "piercing gaze" in which you simply stare at your opponent with a blank, expressionless face, and eyes that are literally fixated on the target, while remaining in a calm, neutral stance which the enemy cannot read. Next time you see a boxing match on TV - watch how the opponents just stare at each other expressionless at the start of the fight. This usually scares the ***** out of the other person and also makes it extremely difficult for him to determine what you are going to do next. You should never reveal too much. You never know what the other person is capable of and if he sees you teeing up into some lame Karate stance, you're giving him far too much information about what you are going to do. Talking ***** and escalating the energy in the situation by getting angry and screaming will usually only make things worse if you are trying to avoid the fight.
    • Gimpyfuzznut, on 06/29/2008, -0/+1Also the bit about the triangle is one of the more important tips. The triangle not only fundamental in defending yourself and keeping control of your center, it is also how you off-balance the opponent. Stepping into the opponent's triangle (in front or in back) puts you in the position to distort his balance and center of gravity. This is a critical principle in almost all martial arts. It takes some experimentation and practice to understand. This would be how you would sweep someone or take them down backwards (moving them into the back point of their triangle).
  • retawd, on 06/29/2008, -0/+2Yeaah, the article was alright, but the comments... hrmm... yeeeah, seee, about the comments... I dunno if the general population of digg is going to be my "go to" source for valid information on fighting techniques.
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