Having the means to protect yourself has become more crucial now than ever. The world may be dangerous at times, so learning self-defense tactics is important for everyone, especially women. Below are a few key tactics that are simple and effective means of defending yourself. Practicing and remembering these tactics in dire situations can help prevent injury and trauma.
Heel Palm Strike
The heel of your palm is a flat, sturdy surface that, when used in action, can stun an attacker. Jab upwards toward the attacker’s chin or jaw, and you may be able to force them backward, granting you an opportunity to escape.
Straight Punch
One of the most effective moves women can utilize is a simple straight punch. Leveraging your body weight by simultaneously thrusting forward your fist and your hip can give your punch the most power. It is important to aim for vulnerable areas and ensure that the point of contact on your hand is your first two fingers, as you are more likely to damage the ring and pinky fingers from a hard punch.
Elbow Strike
Knowing that the hardest point of the human body is the elbow can help influence your choice of action when in a dangerous situation. If you are in close range with an attacker, using your elbow is often a smart move. Targeting areas such as the jaw, neck, chin, or temple can help you disorient an assailant. It is important to stabilize your position prior to using your elbow, as you will want to have your full weight behind the blows without disrupting your balance.
Bear Hug Defense
If an attacker grabs you from behind, you may feel the impulse to fight directly against the attacker’s hold. However, it is more effective to prioritize making it difficult for the attacker to keep their grip. The first step to accomplishing this is by bending forward or crouching; shifting your weight forward or down can alter your center of gravity and provide better angles for you to either elbow the attacker or twist out of their grasp.
Hammer Strike
Whether you don’t want to injure your hands or you believe you lack the strength to do damage with your fist alone, the hammer strike is an effective way to defend yourself against an attacker. Begin by holding your keyring in one hand with the keys extending from the same side of your fist. Simply swing your fist downward to strike with the keys, causing enough harm to give you time to flee.
In an ideal world, no one would need to defend themselves. However, reality demands that protective measures are taken in order to remain safe. The above tips are just the beginning. Taking the time to learn these moves, as well as others, could help save your life.
Javill Byron is an accomplished martial artist, entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist based in Miami. As the owner of Top Shot Miami and WMB Martial Arts, Javill strives to serve as a valuable resource for individuals who want to improve their physical abilities and learn to protect themselves. Javill is especially passionate about helping children with disabilities and children who are bullied.
As a philanthropy-minded person, Javill Byron devotes much of his time to his nonprofit, WMB Foundation, Inc., which provides services to families and children diagnosed with ADHD, ADD, or Autism and aims to promote academic success and generally enrich their lives.