I don't know how to start it... But growing up I was always weak. I was picked on growing up. I am so afraid of confrontation. Like even verbal. If someone raised their voice at me I freeze like a dear on headlights. I wanted to learn boxing and other things to get confident in myself. But it's expensive and I'm getting old every day I'm 24 now. I'll be 25 in July. And in mind unless I became a pro boxer or something(I know that is stupid... 😅) I won't be safe. Forget physical... Even verbal confrontation makes me freeze... I am such a pussy. Now walking is good and all... But it feels shitty and not to forget it's embarrassing. I don't want to get into relationship because I think how will I protect her and even what will she think... That her man was afraid in this situation. I really need help this is eating.

What's a good tsa approved product for self defense ?????????

(Before sending this post I gotta say, I'm so sorry for any grammar/vocabulary mistake I make writing this. English isn't my first language and I've been working for the past 9 hours, so my brain is a bit melted. Also, I'm writing this having in mind that first course of action is preventing, then avoiding, then complying, and finally striking, and my post is about the last one of the steps.)

Hey guys, I've been thinking for a couple of days now about something. There are different layers in self defense, being the first and most obvious one to comply, give belongings and avoid contact. Then, depending on situation, one could just run or even strike and run. I believe that's why in this subreddit, all of the discussions are about how to strike and what to train to strike, because it's the most complex of all the steps in my opinion.

Even in self defense training, at least in my experience, they teach how to take certain actions in order to reduce or incapacitate the attacker, so when you get hit training those things, I don't believe you're getting hit in a realistic scenario. Even if you train boxing, BJJ, or most of martial arts, you don't get hit like you would in the streets. The most realistic way of getting hit with that premise would be Muay Thai, but I believe that when they spar they ease on elbows and knees (for obvious reasons). When I say "realistic way of getting hit" I'm having in mind bare knuckle punches and elbows/knees, because when you get in this kind of scenario, you don't get to ask the perpetrator to put on gloves or anything.

Anyways, I don't know if it's necessary or even if it's something that you can get trained on, but in my opinion, when you have to get into it, it's difficult to be prepared to receive the kind of hits that happen usually in real scenarios. Apart from weaponry related strikes, is it important to train getting hit in more real scenarios? And if so, how would you or how have you?

I've been carrying pepper spray over the last 2 years, as i have seen it defeating melee weapons and multiple attackers, i've also seen some cases where it fails to stop a threat, wich has made me doubt about it's effectiveness

I currently have a "Mace brand personal model" that i always carry on my right pocket so i have quick access to it, it meets all the requirements to be as efrective as possible: flip-top, 1.4% major capsaicine, stream pattern, i would ratter have a pom mk1 but Mace it's the only decent brand on my country

So do i need some fighting skills, muscle memory to deploy it and use it or can i just spray and run?

I have a problem since I was a kid. I have trouble punching someone in self-defense. I am afraid to stand my ground when the situation calls for it.

What good is self-defense theoretical knowledge, when a person runs for the woods instead of taking action? What good are muscles, or watching a self-defense video, when a person consistently FAILS to use any of it, for fear of retaliation or escalation? Even in a desperate, deadly situation, a pepper spray will remain in the pocket, just as a knife will, because the user is too afraid.

Taking martial arts classes? Prohibitively expensive. Also, a bit "too late" for someone over 40 with serious lower back issues.

Suggestions? Solutions? Advice?

Hi, I’m thinking on beginning to learn how to be a better shooter (specifically rifle). I know there are courses, but I would like to learn more about proper movement and transitioning between stances (from standing to prone), but I have no idea what this is called. I saw one specifically where a person went from standing to prone by putting one leg out, squatting then go to a sit then a prone. (Maybe even rolled backwards?). I know this is probably too advanced, but what is stuff like this called? Anything would be appreciated, thanks!

( sorry if is hard to understand, english is not my native language)

so i always think about how i could defend myself in a robbery/fight/bully situation, so i watched some self defense videos, i know some techniques now, but im always asked about the weakest point of the head, im not talking about the the face (chin, eyes, nose) im talking about the skull, I studied some bones and their names but I still don't know which one would be the most effective to hit in a fight

Having a hard time finding them on YouTube . If anyone could link me one I’d be greatly appreciative .

Hello, I am a 27 year old woman in a relationship with another woman. The few times we have gone out together we have gotten unwanted/negative attention from men due to homophobia. I’m afraid one day we’re going to have a confrontation with a man who may want to physically hurt us. I’m thinking of taking self defense classes. I always wanted to do some sort of MMA or boxing. Any advice? I know the correct situation is to always run and deescalate but I’m just trying to prepare for the worst case scenario.

Maybe more generally speaking, I should ask, is it possible that trying to stink as bad as possible and maybe then work towards being effective as a grappler and using stench as a method of attack/submission be effective for self defense?

where should I land a punch to knock someone out? I know a place is the liver but sometimes it’s hard to land a punch past muscle or bones, so is there any other places?

What's a strong, effective, quick strike that can be used to end a confrontation in one move? If I trained an oblique kick/stomp to the kneecap, would that one move be enough to protect myself against a single person (assuming no weapons)? What other strikes would be effective?

First time posting here, so thanks for the help.

I keep getting harassed by aggressive homeless people on the train and on the bus how effective is pepper gel against an attacker who may be high on Fetty and or Meth? I know not to use pepper spray or gel in enclosed spaces and do have a friend who can give me a taste of it so I know exactly what I could be putting people through should I ever have to use it but any real life experience from someone who has been both on drugs and the receiving end would be greatly appreciated I'm not out to maim anybody I just want something besides a knife to carry on me for protection and I'm obviously considering pepper gel.

My girlfriend works at a courthouse, and weapons aren’t allowed in. (Even a fork gets questioned sometimes.)

What can I buy her that could protect her without it appearing dangerous to the security guards?

When I can’t drive her, she commutes through public transit and walking. I wish she could carry the typical taser/pepper spray—so I was hoping this sub may have some tips.

Thanks in advance!

Hello self-defense community. I'm planning on doing a blog post/video about the knife and its use for self-defense. Part of it is studying the types of training and volume of training people have with the knife.

I trained Eskrima and Ninjutsu, but a very long time ago. Both taught knife offense and defense and both had live sparring sessions with wooden knives.

It's really hard to find any martial art school that has knife or legitimate weapons training. Especially one that has live sparring. Eskrima is probably the closest to live weapons combat as they put on armor and beat the hell out of each other with sticks. It's pretty awesome and applicable to a real-life situation.

Please feel free to elaborate on your experience or lack thereof. If you trained what did you train and for how long? If you didn't is it because it's hard to find a school or another reason?

Do you have any knife self-defense/combat training?

If yes please note what type.

Do you still currently train self-defense/combat with a knife?

If yes how often?

If no, when was your last training?

Appreciate all who contribute and participate!

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What course is better to learn how to defend myself (22F)? Jiu jitsu, Krav Maga or Wing Tsun? Thank youu

I'm asking from the absolute ignorance. I live in a small-ish city with a low crime rate. In 27 years that I've been around, I've never been in a fight, even though I have gone partying over the years. I've seen fights, but they were mostly between groups over some dumb party disagreement. That's why my personal experience is that there are just a few situations where you can get in trouble, and if it's a robbery thing, people who do that usually tend to do it in a more sneaky manner. I also know that this is just my experience, because there are other cities and countries where things work differently.

Anyways, apart from that, I feel like most of the times, when a self defense scenario comes up, it's usually presented as a 1v1 situation, and what to do when, for example, a dude comes up to you and asks you to give him your wallet.

So yeah, do you think there are more 1v1 self defense situations or more gang/group attacks? (Or what's your experience on this subject?)

I am looking for reputable companies that sell stab proof clothing, particularly trenchcoats. Can anyone recommend any? Thank you in advance.

Some people don’t want to do MA regularly, and I totally get that 1 day of training could actually create a false sense of confidence.

But ultimately, isn’t confidence and SOME exposure to skills and a few reps better than nothing?

Only asking because I’ve been doing MA my whole like (TKD and BJJ) and a friends wife wants a SD class for her and a few of her friends. I want to do it but a part of me is also thinking, am I putting them more at risk?

I know some of the accessories brand like hyperbae, defender ring and InvisaWear but not sure of their quality. Somebody please suggest from where should I buy?

I was considering buying pepper spray for my wife as a self-defense tool, but when we talked about it, she mentioned feeling nervous about whether she’d actually use it if the situation called for it.

That got me thinking—how many others who own pepper spray feel the same way? Do you feel any hesitation about using it? If so, why? Is it a lack of confidence? Fear of escalation? Cross-contamination?

I’m really curious to hear from this community. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

When attack is imminent, and you can’t run away, I would assume a fence position with hands raised in a “I don’t want trouble” position, ask a distracting stupid question and immediately strike so I can escape. Has anyone thought about what they might say?

I’m a 15 year old guy that stands at 5’6 weighing 106. I don’t like the fact I can folded with ease. What do I learn/ where do I go to be able to defend myself from other, potentially much larger, people. I looked at karate and learned it’s a bunch of bs with peace of mind crap more than actual combat.