Self-Defense for Women Techniques

You don't need to have a black belt in karate or be muscle-bound to defend yourself. Self-defense for women is based upon techniques that will give you the advantage so you can escape. If you ever get in a situation where you need to fight to save your life, you will be glad you learned self-defense techniques. Size and strength are less of a factor when you have the right attitude and self-defense techniques ready at hand.

Attitude

• The most important self-defense technique for women is a fighting attitude. You must believe that you can fight and survive the attack. Thinking quickly and acting fast will take the captor by surprise and give you the upper hand for the time needed to escape. When it comes to self-defense, it isn't about winning or losing; it is about surviving and escaping.

Awareness

• Always be aware of your surroundings. Predators look for women who seem distracted and not paying attention. If you are alert and aware, you will notice if someone is following or watching you, thus averting an attack before it occurs. Awareness also takes into account the neighborhood, time of day, location where you are traveling. Take all these factors into account when going someplace. Park your car in a populated and well-lit area and walk quickly to your destination.

Have a Plan

• Part of self-defense techniques is having a plan of action before an attack occurs. Say to yourself in your mind, If this happens, then I will do this. Formulate a plan in your mind and see yourself successfully completing your plan every time. Then if a situation presents itself, you will already be one step ahead of your attacker because you will have a plan.

Make a Barrier

• A barrier between you and your attacker may help save your life. A barrier can be anything that you are able to put between you and the attack. If you are able to run into a room or a car and lock a door, do it. Pepper spray can also be considered a barrier; carry pepper spray with you and spray it into the attacker's face so you can run away. A Taser can also be a barrier. Purchase a one-time-use Taser and keep it in your purse. If attacked, aim the Taser at the largest portion of the attacker's body, fire it, drop it and run away. One-time-use Taser companies usually replace the Taser with a new one if you used it in a documented attack. Study and follow the directions on the Taser package so you will be ready to use it.

Scream for Help

• Do not listen to your attacker if he tells you, "Don't scream, or I will kill you." A statement like this from an attacker is actually a clue to what he believes will help you get away. Kick, hit and pull his hair while screaming as loud and as long as you can. You can also make noise in other ways by breaking windows, honking the horn and throwing things at walls.

Blow to the Face

• In a fight, a blow to the face may be all you need to slow or disrupt your attacker just long enough to get away. Use the palm of your hand with the fingers curled down halfway. Thrust the palm directly into the face of your attacker, aiming for the nose. You can also attempt to poke your attacker's eyes out, but this is not always possible because when you are in such a situation your body will go into fight or flight mode and the blood will flow to the large muscles, thus making it harder to conduct fine motor skills with the fingers.

Elbow Strikes and Kicks

• Elbow strikes are effective if you find yourself in close proximity to your attacker. Use your opposite hand to cover the fist of the striking arm to give yourself extra power. Twist at the waistline and throw your whole body into striking the attacker in the face, neck, belly or ribs. Kicking is preferable when you have the room to make it effective. Kick low so that the attacker can't grab your foot. Aim your kick to the groin or side of the knee to disable the attacker so you can possibly run away. And don't kick with your toe. Stomp with the bottom of your foot or your heel.