Self Defense Techniques – The Barrier

Ok so the first thing that happens in many self defense situations is that a would be assailant will “Get all up in your grill!!!” In other words they will get very close to you breaking into your personal space, testing out your resolve and trying to put fear into you. Obviously in an ideal world you’ll see this person well in advance due to having a decent self defense mindset and seeing a situation develop.

Assuming this first line of defense hasn’t worked and the point has been reached where a would be attacker has entered your personal space the next thing you should do is what we call “Erecting the barrier”. Quite simply you back off to a reasonable distance from the individual that is concerning you making sure you are moving into open space rather than towards a wall or any barrier of that kind (Open space allows you more chances for escape if you need to run). If the attacker follows you and tries to enter your personal space again put your hand out and stop them at arms length. If they push into your hand, make it quite clear you are not intimated but nor do you want any trouble, say something along the lines of “Listen, I’m off now” or “Look man Im going home ok!” and continue to keep a barrier between you an the attacker. As you attempt to move away from the aggressor you can also try to move towards a more populated area, if you are on a side street move onto the main street, etc.

One thing to remember is to not push the attacker or throw insults at them, doing this may well make them more aggressive and determined to pick you as their target. One of the most common attacks on the street is a punch thrown by an aggressive person after they have been pushed in the chest. Try to make “the barrier” just that, a barrier, not a push. At the same time you should be alert to any attempt to grab you or strike out at you. Regardless you should continue to withdraw from the aggressor keeping your barrier up where necessary.

Once you have managed to make some decent space between you and the aggressor increase it and move off down the street making sure they are not following. Do not run or turn you back until you no longer feel threatened and are in a safer environment.

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