The myth is that others are responsible for our personal security.  The reality is that police can’t protect you.  They are restricted by courts, which routinely let criminals off, and police can’t be everywhere.  If a criminal attacks you, you are on your own.

The myth is that you should not do anything.  The reality is that you must strike back – hard. Here are some subversive tips on turning the tables on an attacker.  Don’t read this if you have moral objections to seriously incapacitating an attacker.

Fact 1 – Attackers are cowards.  They back off quickly when they know that they will get hurt.  They will attack someone who they think is weaker.  You need to always strike quickly, even if it is a first strike, if you are about to be attacked.

Fact 2 – A street fight has no rules.  It isn’t like a boxing match.  Your attacker will use every trick, and so can you.

Fact 3 – If a street fight continues, it will end up on the ground.  You need to avoid this, unless you have an advantage in weight and strength.

Fact 4 – You will be in street clothes and will be restricted in movement.

Fact 5 – Most attackers are not trained fighters.  They will use one movement (a right handed punch), or brute strength.  Be prepared to twist around it.

Fact 6 – If you eliminate a criminal opponent, and are a law abiding middle class person, YOU will be the one in trouble.  So flee the scene.

Fact 7 – An attack is not usually immediate, and there will be threatening behaviour beforehand.  This is when your opponent sizes you up.

Fact 8 – If you are hit, it might all be over.  So avoid that, and strike first and hard.  Avoid being put in a restrictive position, don’t be forced into a car, don’t allow someone to pin your arms.

So what are some techniques that you can use?

Well, my favourite is a hammer fist.  Clench your fist and swing it hard like you are holding a hammer.  You need to direct it against someone’s nose.  It is very unexpected, and difficult to stop.  Once someone’s nose is broken, their focus is off you.

Another technique is the eye gouge. Hook your fingers (all of them) and drag them from the eye downwards.  It is even more effective if you can do both sides.  This is a close range move.

Don’t throw a punch.  Unless you are a boxer, you probably won’t be that strong, and you really need gloves.  Use an elbow instead.  The elbow is much harder than the hand.  To use your elbow step towards the attacker, firstly bend your arm and twist your body to give it some power as you snap the elbow out sideways or upwards.  Aim for the temple, or under the jaw.

You can use your knees.  Don’t try a martial arts kick unless you can do this and have sound footing.  Put your hands around the back of an attacker’s neck (don’t interlock your fingers).  Quickly pull the face down, and snap your knee up into it.

If you are a woman and wearing heels, a high heel makes an excellent improvised weapon.  Smash the heel into the attackers face as hard as you can. Or you can even stamp it into an attacker’s instep (you will need to do this if grabbed from behind).

When there are multiple attackers, the one who talks is the leader.  He is the one you need to take down.

The aim of these movements is to dramatically end the confrontation and eliminate the criminal as quickly as possible.  Once you have stopped them, get off the scene.  Don’t hang around and wait to be hit.  Don’t be a victim.

Tags: self defence, subversive

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 9:34 pm and is filed under Daily subversive tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.