If you want to learn self defense it is pretty understandable if you are confused and do not really know where to turn. There is a lot of contradictory information about this subject and soo many people tell you that their martial art or sport is the best for self defense. There are a lot of self defense demonstrations in martial arts competetions and of course there are a lot of tough fighters in Mma but what will work for you, in a real self defense situation? If you are not big and tough and and you want some reality based self defense training where do you turn?

If you are really serious about learning self defense then you should really learn stuff which you can use in a real attack. The fact is the many of the moves you might see in a martial arts demonstration looks very impressive but is often not very useful in a real combat. Martial arts is very vast and simple highly effective methods are often mixed with fancy, impressive and difficult moves which will take a long time to learn.

Combat sports methods are simple and a lot easier to learn but combat sports are after all sports. There are rules in the ring, whether it is boxing or Mma but in the street there are none so methods differ. Furthermore to be efficient in Mma or boxing you need to train very hard. These are hard physical sports and not suitable to everyone. What if you are a calm person who likes moderate exercise like walking and you simply want to feel safe in the street? You are not a tough fighter but you would like to know what to do if you are attacked and have no option but to use violence.

This is where reality based self defense comes in. This sort of self defense is for people who simply want to feel and be safer in the street. Constantly being scared is not very pleasant and iyou are scared it will also show on your face and posture, giving a potential attacker the idea that you are easy prey. If you know how to defend yourself your confidence will show on your face and posture and sometimes this is enough to avoid an attack altogether.

Now to the methods that will keep you safe. First thing is prevention. This means that you plan ahead and avoid dangerous situations, like walking alone in the dark or isolated places. If going out, it is for example a good idea to arrange for your transport home (by taxi for example) in advance so that you do not have to walk home in the dark. Furthermore it is good idea to keep the dicreet with your valuables such as jewellery and watches as these draw attention to a potential agressor.

If you do get attacked, act. This is the biggest problem for most people when they get agressed. The shock makes them passive and they can not move. Agressors know this and they use it to their advantage. You can practice this in your mind by thinking through what you should do when attacked. If you visualize this in advance many times you have a better chance of acting should you ever be attacked

If you do get attacked you must act very quickly. Make a lot of noise, scream your lunges out. This has three effects on the attacker. First it will distract him and get him off balance. 2 It might make him think that you will offer resistance and 3 it might make him scared that people will come (and with a bit of luck people will come to help). You should also counter attack. Find a week spot on your agressor, anything fragile is good. Kick him in the crotch, stomp him on the foot (great with high heels) poke him in the eye. Never stop, kick, claw, punch, give him everything you have got. This is your best chance. When given a possibility, run for it, don't stay if there is a way out.

To summarize, reality based self defense is simple effective self defense that can be used by anyone regardless of their age, gender or physical capacities. It is simply a matter of prevention and also being prepared should the worst happen. Being prepared is really the difference between being scared and feeling uneasy and feeling well and relaxed. And in an emergency being prepared can be the difference between escaping unharmed and being killed.