Are you able to protect yourself and your family from a violent attack? Do you know what you would do in a situation that required you to stop an attacker?
If you’re like most people that I talk to, your first answer is probably with your guns. But what happens if someone gets a drop on you or blindsides you and jumps you before you can get to your weapon? I love my guns just as much as the next guy, but to truly be prepared for anything, you also need to be able and have the knowledge to protect yourself without them.
Self-defense is a critical skill that everyone who is serious about preparedness needs to put on the top of their list of priorities. As we document in our social unrest section of the site, violent attacks are not only a growing threat, but, in our opinion, the number one threat to your survival that you face on a daily basis.
Self-defense is far more than owning a gun, and it’s not just about physical strength or fighting skills, but it also involves mental preparation, situational awareness, and self-confidence. In today’s world, where crime rates and the ghettoization of our culture are at an all-time high, self-defense has become necessary for everyone. This article will discuss how to defend yourself from an attacker and the different self-defense techniques you should be studying.
Different Types of Attacks
Before we talk about the different self-defense techniques, it is essential to understand the different types of attacks that can happen and the legal ramifications of defending yourself:
Basic Physical Assault
A physical assault can happen anywhere and at any time. It can involve hitting, punching, kicking, or choking. It can also involve using weapons like guns, knives, or blunt objects. Defending yourself from these attacks will depend on several factors, but be aware that even a single punch from an attacker can be deadly, so never underestimate the need to be able to fight back, and quickly put an end to the threat.
Sadly, depending on the state you live in – especially if it’s run by liberal politicians that favor criminals over law-abiding citizens – you need to be aware of your local self-defense laws and when you can and can’t legally defend yourself. But, and this is not legal advice, in my opinion, it’s better to come out alive and worry about the legal bullshit later. “Better to be Tried by 12 than Carried by 6”!
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault involves any form of unwanted sexual contact, including unwanted touching, groping, rape, or other forms of sexual violence. According to the FBI, every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. It can happen anywhere, but what the media will never admit — and yes, we know this isn’t politically correct — one of the best ways to protect yourself from this type of attack is not to put yourself in stupid situations. Most sexual assaults occur because of bad decisions and drinking – Sorry, BUT THOSE ARE FACTS!
Riots and Politically Motivated Violence
We are living through a time of unprecedented violence, chaos, and social unrest. As a result, we have seen a considerable uptick in the number of violent protests and riots. Check out our article on surviving a riot for a detailed dive into the subject.
Violent Flash Mob Attacks
Technology is changing how we live; unfortunately, it’s also making it easier and faster for criminals to communicate, plan, and execute their crimes. With the advent of texting and social media, it’s never been easier for large groups of criminals to come together and wreak havoc in a matter of minutes. Check out our article on mob attacks for a detailed dive into the subject.
Mass Shootings
While active shooter situations are still pretty rare, it’s a phenomenon that does seem to be increasing in regularity. Check out our article surviving a mass shooting for a detailed dive into the subject.
School Shootings & School Violence
While technically, this could fall under the category of mass shootings, the fact that we are dealing with children requires some extra training and caution. Please read our article on
Home Invasions
When it comes to defending your home, nobody can do a better job of protecting it, and more importantly, the people who live within its walls than you. Unfortunately, we live in a society that has grown increasingly reliant on the government to protect them in every little aspect of their lives, believing that when trouble hits, some random government agency is going to be there to help. They are not! You need to learn how to protect yourself, and the people in your home – here is how!
Car Jackings
Although it doesn’t receive as much media attention as some other types of crimes, carjacking has once again become one of the top crimes in the country. For unsophisticated car thieves who can’t bypass modern-day car alarms, the crime is an easy way for them to steal a vehicle.
Check out our article surviving a carjacking for a detailed dive into the subject.
Verbal Assault
Verbal assault involves any form of verbal abuse or threats. It can include name-calling, bullying, and harassment. Remember, while it might feel good to knock the shit out of some troublemaker mouthing off, the judge will probably see it differently – so keep your cool, be ready for the loudmouth to escalate, and if you can, leave the situation ASAP!
How to end the Fight Quickly if you don’t have a weapon!
Remember that these tips should only be used in a life-or-death situation, as they could cause severe damage or death.
When defending yourself from an attack, every move you make should be made in an effort to end the altercation as soon as possible. This is not the time to start slugging it out or pretending you’re in the UFC.
Every punch or kick you throw should be delivered to the weakest or most vulnerable areas of your attacker’s body. This is because your strikes need to cause serious damage, and your main goal should be to end the fight and immobilize your attacker as fast as possible.
Attack Vital Points on the body!
When defending yourself, aim for the vital points of the body. The eyes, nose, ears, throat, and groin are all vulnerable areas that can incapacitate an attacker, giving you time to escape. Use quick, sharp movements that inflict the most damage. It’s your life or their life!
Eyes – If they can’t see you, they can’t hit you. Jabbing your attacker in the eye can temporarily blind them, allowing you to gain the upper hand. However, if done hard enough, it can actually cause permanent blindness.
Nose – A Palm strike or punch to the nose can have a devastating effect on your attacker. While it probably won’t immobilize them, it may be enough to cause them to retreat. A well-executed strike to the nose will cause immense pain and cause the eyes to fill with tears instantly. This will allow you to either run away or quickly end the fight with a follow-up attack.
Throat – The throat is one of the body’s most vulnerable areas. When attacking the throat, there are two areas that you should focus on.
- First, the Adam’s Apple – A blow to the Adam’s apple can collapse the attacker’s airway and can literally kill them with one strike.
- Second is the soft area where your throat meets your collarbones. This area can be jabbed with the fingers to cause your opponent to lose his breath temporarily.
Groin – A good kick to the groin can cause a man to drop to the ground instantly. Just remember that this target is usually the most well-guarded and may be difficult to strike.
Knee Caps – The Kneecaps are highly vulnerable to attack and can be easily dislocated or broken by a well-placed kick to the knee. A kick to the side of the knee can also cause a considerable amount of damage.
Feet – Stomping on your attacker’s feet probably will not end the fight, but it can cause a huge amount of pain. Foot stomps are often used to escape from a hold and can give you time to setup for your next attack.
Self-Defense Techniques you should know!
Be Aware of Your Surroundings and Study the Art of Situational Awareness!
The first thing you must do to protect yourself is to be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to anything that seems out of place and watch for suspicious behavior. Keep your head up, look confident, and don’t be afraid to make eye contact with people.
Please read our full article on How to Protect Yourself by Developing your Situational Awareness
Don’t be afraid to Use Your Voice
This one is important for women and children. The use of your voice is a powerful tool to deter attackers. Scream, shout, or use a whistle to draw attention. By making noise, you let people know you are in trouble, and the attacker knows that people will hopefully come to your aid.
Carry and KNOW HOW To Use Weapons
If you have access to a weapon, then you should use it to protect yourself. Remember, people can die from a single well-placed punch, so if you feel your life is in danger, then you need to access the force required to stop that danger!
Check out our Weapons Articles:
Take a Self-Defense Class
Reading about it is one thing, but one of the best ways to learn self-defense is to take a self-defense class. These classes teach you how to protect yourself, avoid dangerous situations, and feel more confident in handling difficult situations. In addition, you will learn different techniques, including striking, blocking, and grappling, as well as how to use weapons effectively.
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