Learn how to defend yourself when it’s raining punches
Learning personal protection is something that takes perseverance and dedication like anything else in life. One of the first things to learn if you’re attacked is to protect your face from getting hit. In this article, I’ll share actionable self defense tips and tricks against punches.
That said, start with your arms up.
By doing so, you’d be covering your centerline. Anything that goes through the middle, you’d be able to jam it. Or, if you aren’t able to stop the attack, you’d at least be able to divert the incoming punch to the sides, protecting your body.
There’s one more thing you need to keep in mind.
As you’re facing the attacker with your hands up, don’t let your head stay still, in case one of the incoming punches successfully make their way through your defense.
That is something that differentiates self-defense from boxing. Keep your head moving to ensure it stays out of the line of the attack.
Next thing you want to do is to go around. Here’s what that means.
After blocking/diverting the incoming punch, you want to follow throw and jam the attacker’s shoulders.
This will do two things. First, it will prevent the attacker from punching you with his stronger arm. Second, you’d be able to go around him and do a shoulder strike.
Check out this video to see how to defend yourself against punches:
The reason why we teach this self-defense technique is very simple.
It’s based on reflexive response.
It’s not based on timing or speed – like some of the other self-defense techniques a few instructors out there are teaching. Given the fact that it comes naturally, you’d be able to easily use it for self-defense purposes.
Another reason is that it lets you apprehend the attacker’s intentions.
With your arms up and protecting your centerline, you can easily see what the attacker is going to do next. You can easily see how he is moving, where he’s angling off, and is there any chance you can turn defense into offense.
That – apprehending your attacker’s intentions before he starts landing punches – is one of the most important parts when it comes to blocking punches.
For a better example on this topic of self-defense, watch our video on blocking punches.
Take care and stay safe,
p.s. Don’t forget to sign up to our self defense newsletter.
Patrick Viana
Code Red Defense