Basic Self Defense Techniques for Women

Self defense has become a major priority for women in India, to safeguard themselves against crimes like rapes, sexual abuses, stalking, harassment and a number of other violations. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has reported around 25,706 rape cases in the last year.  A primary reason behind the increasing violence against women could be that most of the men feel that a woman couldn’t or wouldn’t fight with a guy in case of a threat. Thus, the increasing violence against women is directly associated to the lack of physical strength and the propounded term ‘weaker sex’. In fact, women often consider themselves to be physically weaker than men especially in size and strength.

Self defense has thus become the need of the hour for women. Experts claim that with the right technique and right timing the victim is likely to have a 90% chance of getting out of the situation.

When you are in an encounter, you have only some seconds and some moves to try. So before the attacker totally overpowers you, you got to try everything you can. You have to do this while saving as much strength as you can, so as to strike an injury to get away.  Remember that in a situation that calls for self defense, you DON’T have to act civil. You should therefore aim for the body parts where you can easily do the maximum damage.

SOME SELF DEFENSE TECHNIQUES

• Know the basic target points – Always remember the primary and secondary target points.

• Hit first – If you let the attacker to hit you first, you’d have to first recover from the hit and then regain strength in the fight. This would worsen the situation.  Hitting first will force the attacker to rather defend himself, which is something he is not used to.

• Use your elbows – Elbows are the strongest points in your body. An elbow strike can deliver substantial damage to the head, nose, chin and back. So, try to strike with your elbows when you’re close enough to use it.

• Close the distance – Closing the distance can help you in defending. You can’t get hurt if you are too close to the attacker to strike.  The more distance you allow between yourself and the attacker, the more range of motion is available to the attacker.

• Try to always carry a ball point pen in your purse – You can use the pen’s tip to damage the attacker’s arms so as to loosen his grip and then attack the primary and secondary targets.

•  Use everyday objects – Look for the everyday objects which could be used as weapons, like umbrella, tree branches, stones and other readily available objects.

• Get him on the ground – If you are able to close the distance, you can drag him to the ground. This might require some basic knowledge about submissions.

• Keep your hands up – You can block strikes or lessen the damage by most of all strikes by keeping your hands up.

• If you get attacked in your home, run for the kitchen – Kitchen objects like the knives and spices could potentially be turned into weapons of defense. If that fails, you can simply start throwing utensils to create a noise for alerting neighbours.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

• Always be alert while outside – Attackers tend to target victims who appear to be weak, timid and unaware of their surroundings.

• When you are attacked, don’t just cry – Try to talk with the attacker to distract him in all the possible ways like, fake gestures at an initial stage could make the attacker assume that he has overpowered you. This will make him carefree. You can then strike back instantly.

• Try to identify what the attacker wants from you – If he only intends to rob you, you may initially try to communicate but if his intention is to hurt you physically then you must strike back with as much strength as you could gather.

• Don’t alert him saying that you have a self defense tool or skill – This can alert him and this may not give you a chance to attack him. Self defense techniques serve the best when they can astonish the attacker.

# A Few Exclusive Tips by our Expert Trainers #

1. Try to take a sharing cab and if not, note down the cab’s number – If you work in night shifts and have to travel in a cab, try to take a sharing cab and always note down the cab’s number and SMS it to someone in your family or friends for safety measures.

2. Desist from listening to music unless you’re in a crowded area – If you are listening to music with earphones plugged into your ears while out for jogging post sunset then you might be more vulnerable as you can’t hear anyone approaching you from behind.

3. Always carry some self defense tools with you – Tools like chilly and pepper sprays serve as most generic self defense tools. You can also buy and carry Taser and Stun guns. These guns are used as electroshock weapons.

4. Never forget to carry your mobile phone – Mobile phone is very important for ensuring safety. While expecting any suspicious activity, you can always use your phone and make a call to your family, friends or even the police.

5. Avoid wearing jewellery while travelling – Thieves perceive women as easy targets. Avoid wearing expensive bracelets, necklaces and other jewellery while travelling alone.

6. Dress like a native – This might serve great help for foreigners.  Dressing up like a native can save you from being seen as an easy alien target.

7. Be fit enough to run – Fitness can be of great help in such situations. Fitness not only gives you strength and flexibility to kick or punch, but would also let you run fast.  It’s quite clear to understand that obese and unfit women are less likely to strike back or get out of the situation.

8. Stay on the right side – While walking alone, try to walk on the right side of the road. This might prevent you from being attacked from behind.

Follow these tips and let us know if you have any questions! You may also consider some self-defense classes for yourself or for your kids to gain confidence while traveling or commuting often.

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