Top 5 Best Self-Defense Moves and Tips

In 2017, there were over 810,000 aggravated assaults in the US. And no matter if you're a male or female, these aggravated assaults can also easily turn into sexual assaults.

This statistic may make you afraid to go outside, but you can't let these aggressors take control of your life. You still need to go to work, see your friends, and get around town to take care of business.

If you want to feel safer while you're out on the streets, then keep reading. Here are the top 5 best self-defense moves and tips.

1. Keep Calm and Act Confident

When you're walking around on your own, try and appear as tough as you can. If an assailant is trying to do something like a small mugging, they'll be looking to make it a short interaction and may even be nervous themselves. When you carry yourself with confidence, this may cause potential attackers to avoid you and pick another target instead.

Also, this may be easier said than done, but it'll help immensely if you can keep calm and also act confidently in your actions if you're attacked. If you can fake being a fierce target, the attacker may actually get scared off at some point, which can leave you safe from a mugging or assault.

2. Learn the Body's Pressure Points

Even if you're not able-bodied, you should be able to pull off hitting some of these pressure points. All you need is to land one, and you'll have a window of opportunity to either get away and/or get some help.

Going for the pressure points is also good because it helps you save your energy for when you really need it: getting away and hollering for help.

For example, there are some pressure points on the body that are so vulnerable, the proper pressure exerted can cause a fatal response. These are the temple, larynx, base of the nose, and xiphoid process (tip of your breastbone).

Other places you can try and hit or kick include the eyes, groin, and knees. Use any window of opportunity to strike one of the above points to catch your attacker off-guard.

3. Make It Difficult for Your Attacker to Drag You Away

Have you ever seen a toddler throw a tantrum over a toy they wanted? And when they didn't get it, did you see how they sank to the floor like a sack of potatoes so their parent couldn't drag them away?

You want to do the same thing with an attacker. A lot of the time, they'll come from behind so they can take you by surprise.

When you feel wrapping their arms around you from the back, do everything you can to hinder them. Put all the weight in the lower half of your body by bending your knees and also dropping your butt.

Also, don't stop moving. The more you thrash about, the more difficult it'll be to drag you away. Bonus points: while you're thrashing around, try and hit your assailant in the groin to stun them and possibly get them to release you.

4. Carry Pepper Spray and Learn How to Use It

Having pepper spray with you can be a life-changing addition. And we don't mean just in a positive way either.

Many people purchase pepper spray and never properly learn how to use it, which means they're lulled into a false sense of security. And when the time comes for them to actually use it, they do more harm than good to themselves.

This is because pepper spray has inflammatory ingredients in it, which are intended to cause pain to an assailant. But if you don't learn how to use it properly, you may end up unintentionally spraying it in your own face. This can be due to holding the canister the wrong way or spraying it while you're standing downwind.

If you decide to carry pepper spray, make sure you take some time to familiarize yourself with it. The best thing to do is to practice with it so using it becomes second nature. Quick reaction time and confidence in using pepper spray can save your life.

5. Know When Not to Fight

If someone's trying to steal your wallet, or if they've succeeded in dragging you away, sometimes, it's best not to fight. You need to assess the situation to see if more harm than good would come out of fighting.

For instance, if the attacker has a knife or gun, trying to fight them for taking your wallet would do more harm than good. In this case, you should just hand it over. You can always replace cash and credit cards, after all.

This is the same in the case of a sexual assault. You should always try to avoid becoming a victim, but if the assailant has a knife or a gun, you may get seriously injured if you're not able to successfully fight back. Being proactive and maintaining a good state of awareness can help you avoid many troubling situations. Use common sense to avoid finding yourself in a compromising scenario.

Avoiding confrontation in the first place is your primary goal. But if you must fight, fight as if your life depends on it.

Learn the Best Self-Defense Moves to Stay Safe

While you can't prevent physical assaults from happening, you can certainly learn the best self-defense moves to be prepared for the worst.

So use our advice and put these tips to use so you can stay safe while you're out and about. You never know when something unfortunate will happen, so the best thing to do is to be properly trained and prepared!

Need some self-defense gear to go along with your new moves? Then check out our selection of personal alarms now.

5 Bonus Self Protection Tips You Need to Know

With all of the scary things going on in today's society, protecting yourself from it all can feel very overwhelming and even impossible. We often feel this underlying fear that chips away at our happiness for the day. 

While it may be impossible to prevent every frightening possibility in society, there is an area of protection that is always within our control: how well prepared we are to defend ourselves in the midst of immediate physical danger.

Let's explore 5 self protection tips that will help you feel more secure and prepared if the unthinkable were to happen.

Self ProtectionTips

#1. Prevention

As with almost anything in life, prevention is the key. Take precautions to keep yourself out of potentially dangerous situations.

Some suggestions include:

• Making an effort to do your grocery shopping before dusk
• Taking well-traveled and well-lit paths 
• Keeping your keys in your hand
• Not going alone: always having a jogging/walking buddy
• Letting someone know where you are and when you can expect to be home and check-in
• Changing up your typical route

Defusing a situation: if someone tries to pick a fight or harass you, politely respond and walk away. Just ignoring can often escalate situations.

#2. Be Aware

Know what you're walking into and what's around you. Scope out your surroundings. This only requires a few seconds of your time. And it can also save your life.

Potential assaulters or muggers hone in on the person chatting absentmindedly on the cell phone or singing to the music on the earbuds.

If you must walk alone at night, let your significant other know you'll call him/her when you get home. If you aren't willing to give up your music on an evening jog, at least keep the volume low and keep alert.

#3. Use Your Voice

Get Loud. Really loud. There's no room for "worrying what the neighbors will think."

It's generally recommended to scream, "fire!" rather than "help!"

This is because most of us, unfortunately, have become somewhat immune to hearing "help!" or screaming in any fashion. Think about it. The boyfriend who tickles his girlfriend and she yells "stop!", The child who is being chased by another and shouts out.  

But when someone screams "fire", everyone's looking around for the fire.

#4. Groin Shot

Size really doesn't matter. At least when it comes to self defense.

A front kick to the groin will stop most any attacker in his (or her) tracks. If you can't get a good kick in, strike the groin with whatever you can. 

Contrary the popular belief, a groin shot is effective on both men and women.

#5. Carry Protection

From pepper spray to key chain alarms to lipstick stunners, you have so many options to choose from. There are pen knives, stun pens, tactical flashlights and so much more.

Find what fits your lifestyle and comfort level. In other words, don't purchase a pen knife when you're much more likely to actually feel comfortable using a stun pen. 

The Next Step in Self Defense

If you're ready to take that next step in protecting yourself, check out what we have to offer at TBO-TECH.

Don't be a victim. Reclaim your power and sense of safety with these self protection tips.