Six Ways A Woman Can Fight Back In An Attack

Many women say that they felt that brief niggling feeling that something was not right with their world in an instant or two before they were confronted by an assailant. Instructors of self defense tell you to pay attention to that feeling because more often than not, reacting in an instant will save you. If you ever get that feeling just before something is going to happen, you need to recognize it for what it is so that your brain can be ready to function at high alert when confronted by danger. How you react could be a matter of life and death so if you are paralyzed by fears and do not act right away, it could be a big problem.

If you are concerned with what to do after the split second of awareness, read on for some tips to keep you safe and sound:

1. Acknowledge the potential attacker's presence – Let them know you are aware that they are there. As soon as possible, face them and address them in a loud, clear voice. Tell them that you know they are there and that you do not want any trouble so please leave. If you are forceful and direct, chances are the potential assailant will choose more timid prey.

2. Get ready to spring – Steady your body into what is called the "ready" mode which signals to the assailant that you mean business and are not going to shy away from conflict. You would bring your hands up to chest level and place your legs shoulder length apart with one foot slight in front of the other for balance. When you look prepared for something and alert to their movements, this gives the assailant pause. Criminals don't want any trouble and if you show that you can make it, they are likely to look elsewhere.

3. Long-haired ladies need to tuck in the hair – Attackers love long hair because they have something they can readily grab and a good hold on the hair is a clever way to steer a victim to do what they want. If you expect any trouble, tuck your hair inside your shirt and with a ponytail, remove it or tuck it in too. Don't give a potential attacker any extra ammunition to get you.

4. Scream "fire" when an attacker approaches you – Screaming for help doesn’t always work but nothing clears a building faster than "fire." This is an attention grabber. If you need help and other people are nearby, ask them for help. However, you need to be specific to jar some of them out of their temporary panic.

5. Use what is available for defense – If you are confronted on the street, chances are you will have your purse with you, possibly even shopping bags or an umbrella. Take stock of what you have to work with and use it in your defense. Your keys would make for a great scraper and eye-poker. A pen could stab someone easily and an umbrella could be use to beat on your attacker. Nearby objects on the street may help you whether it is a piece of cut glass, a large rock or even a stick.

6. Wait for the right moment to counter attack and escape – Sometimes, regardless of what you do, you do end up pinned. The best thing to do is to pretend complacency and look for an out. In order for them to hit you again or try anything else, they will have to readjust their grip on you. Take that split second to maneuver out of it. In order to learn how the best ways are to escape different holds and grabs, you definitely have to take a self defense class and practice the moves.

Your safety is in your hands so you have the power ultimately to make confrontational situations turn in your favor. Do what you have to do in order to do so whether it means self defense classes or even the purchase of self defense tools like pepper spray or a stun gun.