Basic self defense moves

Prevention Is the Best Self-Defense

First, remember that prevention is the best self-defense. Attackers, whatever objectives, are looking for unsuspecting, vulnerable targets. So be sure to follow general safety tips like being aware of your surroundings, only walking and parking in well-lit areas, keeping your keys in hand as you approach your door or car, varying your route  .and times of travel, and other .

Get loud and Push Back

 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 or her (for simplicity’s sake we’re going to use “him” 

for the rest of the article, although your opponent could be female). This does two things: it 

signals for help and it lets the attacker know you’re not an easy target. The video at left from

 Rob Redenbach, a former trainer of Nelson Mandela’s bodyguards, shows why this is the 

first thing you need to do. It may not dissuade all attackers, but getting loud will warn off 

those that were looking for easy prey.

Most Effective Body Parts To Hit

Depending on the position of the attacker and how close he is will determine where you will strike 

and with what part of your body you will employ. Do not step in closer, say, to strike his nose with

 your hand, when you can reach his knee with a kick.

Eyes: Gouging, poking, or scratching the attacker’s eyes with your fingers or knuckles  would be effective, as you can imagine. Besides causing a lot of pain, this should also make  your escape easier by at least temporarily interfering with his vision.

Nose: If the attacker is close in front of you, use the heel of your palm to strike up under 

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. Either way, aim for the nasal bones.

Neck: The side of the neck is a bigger target, where both the carotid artery and jugular 

 are located. You could possibly temporarily stun your attacker with a knife hand strike (all 

fingers held straight and tightly together, with thumb tucked and slightly bent at the

 knuckle) at the side of the neck. 

Maximize Damage

Use your elbows, knees, and head. Those are the parts of the body

 that are most sensitive when hit. Now here are the parts of the body used most effectively 

 for inflicting damage: your elbows, knees, and head (they’re your body’s bony built-in 

weapons).

Use everyday objects. Everyday objects you carry around with you or things 

environment can also be used to your advantage as weapons. Hold a key or pen between

 your middle and ring finger while you’re walking home in the dark for more assurance. 

Outdoors, you can toss some dirt or sand into your attacker’s eyes. Women are often told to 

spray perfume or hairspray into an assailant’s eyes. The point is, use what ever you can to 

make your defense stronger.

Moves

Wrist Hold: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is another school of self-defense, one that offers 

 Jujitsu techniques that normal (or even weak) people can carry out. Instead of pulling back

 to try to get out of the hold, squat down into a strong stance, then lean forward and bend 

your elbow towards him all the way towards his forearm until he can no longer hold onto 

your wrist.

Front and Back Choke Holds: Similarly, this video from Ford Models 
your elbow in to get out of the wrist hold, but then pushing upwards to break free. 

 Swing one arm across to break the attacker’s hold then use your other arm’s elbow or hand 

in a knife strike position to hit the attacker.

Bear Hug: Krav Maga is the official hand-to-hand self-defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces, with techniques to defend against realistic grabs and holds.Drop your weight and try to hit his head with your elbows or stomp his feet with your feet. If that doesn’t work, pull his fingers back to force him to release you, rotate out of his hold, and attack him with your knees/kicks. 

Mount Position: If the attacker has you pinned on the floor, you can pivot to with this Gracie Jiu-Jitsu technique. Hook onto his wrist with one hand and use your other hand to grab behind his elbow, trapping his arm to your chest. Then use your foot to trap his foot and leg, lift your hips and turn over onto your knees to get on top.