How to Master Self Defense Techniques: 15 Important Tips

In order to excel at self defence training you must first master the individual self defense techniques. The following tips can you help perform at your best:

1. Whenever possible, perform a direct counter-attack. They are the most effective at stopping your opponent.

2. Your best shot at countering an attack is when they approach. Many times they will cross one foot behind the other to perform a kick. Hit them in the moment they move to position.

3. Protect your ribs. You can do this by keeping your elbows low all the time.

4. Practice self defense techniques that can be used in lots of different situations. Don't worry about memorizing fancy combinations of moves for every possible scenario. Concentrate on about three to five versatile techniques until you have them perfected. Keep your fighting simple.

5. When your opponent throws a punch toward your head or upper body, immediately take a shot at the part of their body that become vulnerable.

6. Similarly, when an opponent tries to take a body shot, immediately strike their head.

7. An oncoming kick can be defending by striking while your opponent is on one foot with compromised balance. It is also impossible for them to retreat from their position in time.

8. If you can't get away, step into the punch or throw. It's unexpected and you can often jam or stifle the strike, minimizing its effectiveness.

9. If jamming the attack doesn't work, sidestep to avoid contact. Use circle footwork to stay out of the line of a combination attack.

10. When you find yourself on the defensive and you have to back up, never retreat backward in a straight line. It is the worst possible thing you can do, as it sets you up for a combo strike. Always jam, block, or sidestep.

11. It's more effective to keep your rear hand up. If you are hit on an open side there is no way to roll out.

12. If your opponent goes for a head strike, lean away for pull your shoulder in tightly for protection. If they make contact with your jaw, the damage could be serious. If you don't protect your jaw, it's likely your opponent will be able to knock you out.

13. Never stand flat footed. You should always be up on your toes with your knees bent and your legs ready to move quickly.

14. Keeping your knees bent will make it easier for you to move quickly, no matter what direction you need to move.

15. Practice every day, and cover all of these self defence training techniques and drills.

Self defense isn't something you can learn in a day, but with the right motivation and dedication you can learn how to protect yourself from a violent physical attack. As you repeat the moves and techniques over and over, they become like second nature to you. You will be able to react to a bad situation quickly.