Self defense is becoming more and more popular in the western world. Knowing how to defend oneself has become a necessity, for oneself or to protect others. With a few techniques, you can easily escape or even neutralize your attacker. How to hit? Where does it hurt? How fast can you learn to do it? This is what we will see in the next few paragraphs.
Table of Contents
Is self defense effective to defend yourself in the street?
The videos available on the Internet make us believe that it is easy and accessible whereas these mainly represent professionals and well elaborated scenarios. However, we can learn some lessons from them.
The impact of a well delivered strike on an opponent
A single well placed blow can change the outcome of a fight. Moreover, the aggressor focuses on psychological dominance. If you don’t play his game, he will be caught off guard. When you can hit where it hurts, you have a good chance to win.
Theory VS practice
Self defense requires self-control. It is easier said than done. The adrenaline rush is such that you can find yourself tetanized. That’s why you need to have acquired some reflexes and repeat the gestures. Watching the movements and memorizing them is not enough.
Why are the vital points so important in self defense?
When you defend yourself, you have to get it over with as quickly as possible. The effectiveness of your defense depends on the blows you inflict on your opponent. But where should you hit for it to hurt?
The different sensitive parts of the human body
The human body has many weak points and self defense targets these “vital” areas to get rid of an attacker as quickly as possible. Thus, the more precise you are, the more effective your blows will be.
Why do we target vital points when we defend ourselves?
A hit on a vital point can make an attacker let go. Also, an aggressor who feels attacked is necessarily disoriented. His whole strategy was based on fear and submission, but he realizes that he is vulnerable and that you are taking control of the situation.
How to reach the vital points in self defense?
Sometimes you have nothing at hand. You can defend yourself with a weapon, but in self defense, you do with what you have. However, hands and feet are remarkable tools. But that’s not all.
Weapons to hit the vital points
In case of force majeure, we use what we have at hand, or even in our mouth! Whether it’s a kick or a bite, the important thing is to hit the opponent where it hurts. We can use all parts of our body to strike: the elbow, the knees, the palm of the hand or its edge, our forehead too.
Defense is the best attack
Of course, you should not rush headlong. self defense is not about making attacks. Also, you should not be too confident to attack your opponent.
Which vital points can you reach in self defense?
They are quite numerous on the human body. Knowing them is essential to be able to free oneself from a hold and protect oneself against an attack. Here are some common examples that can be used if one is attacked
The head
Our head has numerous vital points, including:
- Eyes
- Temples
- Chin
- Nose
A well-placed blow to one of these areas can put an end to an assault. Here’s a tip: don’t use your fist, use the palm of your hand instead.
The trunk
The trunk is the largest part of the body, so it has many vital points, although most of them are hidden by clothing. It takes some experience to reach them for sure. We can mention:
- Armpits
- Solar plexus
- Clavicle
- Kidneys
- Liver
Lower limbs
The lower limbs also have weak points, which are useful when you are facing a large opponent who is difficult to reach in the head and face. Here are some of them:
- Testicles
- Quadriceps (lateral external parts)
- Knees
At what age can I start self defense training?
Practicing self defense requires you to know the human body. It is very different from martial arts.
The difference with martial arts
Martial arts tend to attract self defense practitioners. Whether in Judo, Karate, Aikido etc. some moves can be drawn from millennia-old movements. However, while self defense is very practical, martial arts have a more spiritual dimension.
When can you start?
You can learn to defend yourself at any age, whether you are a man or a woman, or whether you are younger or older.
How long does it take to master self defense?
After how many lessons can you defend yourself? That’s up to each individual.
The basics to start with self defense
You don’t need an advanced anatomy course to find the vital points. The key is to practice the movements often enough with a training partner or a life-size mannequin.
Do I need to practice regularly?
Repeating the movements allows you to know where to hit, and how to hit effectively. The goal is to turn them into acquired reflexes. Repetition makes it easier to reach the vital points.
Conclusion
To beat an aggressor who is bigger and heavier than you, you must choose where to strike. The art of self defense is to get rid of your attacker as quickly as possible. Get out of the way, neutralize, and if possible put him out of harm’s way. Knowing the vital points is essential to get the upper hand. Fortunately, regardless of our age, a few sessions will allow you to
