What if someone suddenly attack you, would you be able to defend yourself and your loved ones? It’s a question most of us don’t want to consider, but violence is, a fact of life. Thankfully, regardless of size, strength or lack of training, anyone can learn several effective self-defense techniques. Here’s the 2 things you must learn to stay safe in common violent situations.

1. Prevention

Always remember that prevention is the best self-defense among all. Attackers, whatever their motives, are looking for weak and vulnerable targets. So be sure to follow common safety tips like being aware of your surroundings; being alert every time especially when walking in a crowded place; always walk and park in well-lit areas; keep your important things in hand as you go wherever the place is; And don’t forget to follow your personal security precautions.

Apart from avoiding confrontation, if you can draw away yourself, you should take the attacker down from physically assaulting you or just get away by handing over your wallet or bag or whatever they want, do it. Hand over your money or phone rather than fight. Nothing you own is worth more than your life.

If violence is unavoidable, you’ll need to know how to fight back effectively, it’s possible even against someone bigger or stronger than you. Here are some basic self-defense techniques that can keep you safe.

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As soon as the attacker touches you or it’s clear that escape isn’t possible, shout loudly “BACK OFF!” and push back at him/her. It’s a signal for help and it lets the attacker know that you’re not an easy target. It may not discourage all attackers, but getting loud will warn off those who were looking for an easy prey.

2. Knowledge

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It is important to know a thing or two about protecting yourself. And the good thing is, you don’t need to be good at fighting to be able to defend yourself. Just learn the most effective body parts to hit, will do. When you’re in a confrontation, you only have a few seconds and a few moves to try before the fight may be decided. Before an attacker has gained full control of you, you must do everything you can. Gather as much energy as possible to inflict injury so you can get away. Because in this situation there is no time to be kind. In a physical confrontation that calls for self-defense, it’s hurt or to be hurt. So aim for the parts of the body where you can do the most damage easily such as: groin, eyes, neck, knee, and nose.

Moves you can do that can make a big damage:

Groin: everybody knows that the groin is the very good spot to hit especially in boys, using your bended knee hit the groin with all your force and i am sure it can cause an unexplainable pain to the attacker giving you the opportunity to run for your life.

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Eyes: Gouging, poking, or scratching the attacker’s eyes with your fingers or knuckles would be effective, as you can imagine. 

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Neck: The side of the neck is a good spot. You could temporarily stun your attacker with a knife hand strike at the side of the neck.

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Knee: The knee is an ideal self-defense target, vulnerable from every angle and easily kicked without risk of your foot being grabbed. Kick the side of the knee to cause injury or partially incapacitate your attacker. Kicking the front of the knee may cause more injury but is less likely to result in imbalance.

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And lastly; Nose: If the attacker is close in front of you, use the heel of your palm to strike up under his nose; throw the whole weight of your body into the move to cause the most pain and force him to loosen his grip on you. If he’s behind you, you can strike his nose from the side or front with your elbow.

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Use your elbows, knees, and head. Those are the parts of the body that are most sensitive when hit, it is used most effectively for inflicting damage.

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Always keep in mind the 2 things said above and you’ll be safe. That was the moves and techniques that might protect you one day or at least help you feel safer and more confident. There’s no replacement to our life so we better learn things that could help us to be safe any time. But it is still much better if you take a self-defense class and practice the moves in real life.