You’re better at self defense than you think
“If you look at police videos, street fights, or even ultimate fighting, you won’t see anyone doing technical martial arts,” says personal-safety trainer Tony Blauer. He pooh-poohs the notion that you need a black belt to defend yourself. “It’s just some kung fu guy selling you a bill of goods.” Skeptical? Consider these natural self defense moves you already know. Here are more ways you can be your own bodyguard.
The stair-climb groin kick
Lift a leg to climb the stairs and you’re doing what it takes to knee a foe in the groin. These are signs you’re an easy target for a predator.
The seat belt elbow
When you reach across your chest to grab your seat belt, you’re throwing a right elbow. The faster you do this, the more force that elbow has. When you’re in the passenger seat, you’re training the left side.
The melon eye-gouge
Every time you pick up a melon in a supermarket to check for ripeness, you’re making the same motion as sticking your thumbs in some bad guy’s eyes.
The push-up chest strike
Each time you do a push-up, you practice how to deliver a chest strike. “Say some guy grabs you by the lapel,” says Blauer. “Jam your fingers in the ‘melon,’ and when he grabs his face, do a push-up off his chest. You’ll knock him back several feet, and you can bolt for safety. Believe me, anyone can do that. You already have the muscle memory.”