7 Common Women's Self Defence Myths
In this blog, you will learn the 6 most comment myths in women’s self defence and why they do not work
1. Kicking them in the b*$#s is the only strategy you need
2. Just Runaway
3. Adrenaline will save me and I’ll turn into the…… SHE-HULK!!
4. Using keys in between my knuckles and punch them
5. You'll only ever be violently attacked by a stranger at night
6. Learning to Box is a great women's self-defence system
7. An attacker will spontaneously pick and attack their victims on a whim
The 7 Misconceptions of women's self-defence
The most common misconceptions of women's self defence are, in fact, genuine advice that people are still given today. The trouble is the advice is generalised, outdated, and do not consider the modern evolution of predatory behaviour
For instance, if we rewired a few years when rape culture was not identified as a thing, the common perception was if a woman got raped, it was violent and by a stranger. While that still stands today, terms such as 'women may cry rape' was used regularly. Giving opportunists an opening to get away with such crimes, provided they 'knew' the victims beforehand
This just emphasised the reality that the self-defence stargates and beliefs at that time involved oversimplifying the truth
we only need to force on strangers
'Stranger danger' an all that?
Since the 80s and 90s the common beliefs have not changed. It is still a very black and white approach. Despite the glaring truths, over 92% of all violent attacks against women are by a male whom they know
The self defence tactics and systems at that time were developed by men for men to 'fight' and stay safe. then When it comes to womens self defence, the thinking was the same, all women have to do is the same thing as men
Context is far more critical than originally thought, not to mention the motives behind the attack and the relationships involved etc
Today’s systems still follow the same trend with the progression of combat sports, which is deemed as self defence when in fact, it’s not at all. This trend also ignores the reality that most boys watch the UFC, Boxing etc, which adds another problem.
Another reason why there's myths exists is that is the length of time need to become effective at a system or become a black belt
The thought of committing 5 to 10 years in a 'marshal art' is an overwhelming amount of time to think about committing too
So people come up with their own reasons why they maybe don't have to spend that much time and energy learning something
For the record, you don't need to spend that much time to become effective at defending yourself
Check out our courses for more info on that
Below is the 7 Misconceptions for women’s self defence
1. Kicking them in the b... ‘The only strategy you ever need’
Unfortunately, if all you had to do was kick them in the balls, then I'm sure the percentage of male attackers wouldn’t be 98% as they currently were in 2020
Here's why it may not work
A. In order to get the connection between your foot and their bits, you need them to be standing straight in front of you with their legs open enough to be able to fit your foot cleanly through.
Think about the operation game, if you touch the sides the little man starts buzzing and flashing. You need to get in and out without the little man flashing red.
B. Boys are trained from a young age to protect their Jewels with everything they have. Some boys even play games with their mates that involve trying to catch their 'mates' off guard.
This builds an ability to spot anything moving in that direction QUICKLY, and all they have to do is turn their legs to one side or pop their hips backwards an inch and you have missed. If you don't have a follow-up strategy then it's likely you could end up in even more trouble.
C. Trying to kick them there while there are pulling you round isn't going to go down well (based on A and B). And if you hit them, your best hopes that you hit them that hard they don't get back up. It goes back to that saying, if you don't train it, you don't have it.
Trying to hit a target (that small) is haaarrrrd, yet trying to hit it while there is constant movement, is extremely tricky. But then If you hit the target, you're then relying on pain to get you out.
Imagine trying to do the crane kick (from karate kid) while standing on a surfboard?
2. Runaway
In theory, it sounds like an excellent plan. However, by the time you realise you could be running, it's often too late
The problem with 'just' running is
A. If you don't train running away, what makes you think you will do it on the day?
Let’s think about the types of running for a second and desired what type might be the best
Sprinting = will typically last between 8 to 10 sec before your body will start to use another energy system and your CP, creatine phosphate would have been depleted.
Running flat out for 10sec to 2 mins (The lactic system). However, the problem is the CP system is much faster than the lactic system and is waaay more explosive.
When it comes to getting away from a stronger and more explosive human than you, you will need an excellent CP system followed by an extremely effective lactic systems
The aerobic system, guaranteed, if you run, you're probably using this more than anything else. Even though you might be doing a Joe Wicks HIIT running programme or something. You will find it very hard getting away from someone if all you do is aerobic work
In order to train running for self defence you need to be doing the CP to Latic Intervals, with a focus on CP, with a work to rest rate of 1:4, this means you workout for 10sec and rest for 40sec
So you have done the running training, but then you turned your back to run (before you even get going) you ended up significantly increases the levels of danger, just because you can no longer see them and exposing the most visible part of your body at the same time
Seriously, do not ever ever EVER turn your back on someone that’s a potential risk to you or people your with
B. Are you dressed for it?
Ever tried running at full speed with high heels on or wearing a pencil skirt?
the reality is, you are entitled to dress however you please. Running may not be the best strategy for your outfit but many other tactics will be idea
C. The increased threat of falling over or pulling a muscle while you run at full speed is super high. How long does it take to warm up properly for a sprint? around 15-20 mins.
What if the ground is wet and slippery and what if it’s an uneven floor or has an array of trip hazards?
Running sounds pretty good but the reality is it just increases the level of danger
Lead to layer skills and them then run away, will increase the likelihood hood of getting away safely
3. Adrenaline will kick in and I'll turn into the She-Hulk
This one is one of my favourites, adrenalin will save me!
In most cases, it won't!! it can cause more problems in an attack than good
Pretty much all the positives can easily become negatives under stress
For example; Tunnel vision (can be good but also can end up causing you problems like, not seeing opportunities around you or trip hazards, or if they have a mate standing to your left and so on)
Adrenalin will not turn you into the She-Hulk or Wonder Women, or the Black widow.... sorry, I know how disappointing that might sound to some of you
Unfortunately, you have to train the skills required for self defence and learn how adrenalin affects you, so you can effectively use the skills in that state
On the basic level, you have a 2 in 3 chance of having a negative response but if you don't know how to handle the fight your inner Wonder Women, super strength and speed won't come true for you
4. Using keys in between my knuckles to hurt them when I punch
Do you punch? I mean properly?
If not, then punching with keys in your hand won't do much for you.
The speed and coordination needed will only come with training
Plus it will hurt you quite a lot, and unless you deliver a knockout blow, you're just going to pi.. them off
Rember that pain is a variable that we can not measure, this means if we are using them to inflict pain to escape then we might find our strategy falling us. What if ther’re on drugs, drunk or just full of rage?
TOP TIP
There are legal tools on the market that you can ‘learn’ to use and feel confident using and wont leave you with a smashed up hand (blog post coming soon)
5. You'll only ever be violently attacked by a stranger at night
This one is the most terrifying
As mentioned in the intro, 92% of violent attacks happen by a male that the victim knows
This means you are more likely to be attacked when your least expecting it. It also does not mean it would happen at night. It’s just that the common perception is that it will
When walking down a dark road, your awareness levels would be high. An attacker is going to attack, the more you appear unaware, the more you become a likely victim
See this blog on Situation awareness
6. Learning to Box is a great women's self-defence system
Learn self-defence and learn boxing, they said...
Boxing is excellent on so many levels
Fitness
Hand-eye coordination
Overall footwork
Taking and throwing punches
But for strictly women's self defence, it leaves so much out that you need
your only response is punching, and it only works when one person is standing right in front of you, willing to box you back
In most cases, women's self defence needs little than a few punches.
What if someone comes up behind you (which is more likely than coming up in front of you), Grab you and throws you to the floor or bed.
You don't learn any escapes or groundwork in boxing.
In women's self-defence, we have to think grabbing, pulling and pushing, kicking, elbows and using everything we can
Boxing is only one aspect of self defence
7. An attacker will spontaneously pick and attack their victims on a whim
A study was done several years ago
The researcher's film a street of passerby's
Then played it back to a load of inmates. Some were murders, and some were rapists, some were muggers etc
On average, the inmates spotted their victims in less than 6 seconds
Going back to the into, 92% of violent attacks are conducted by a male that the victim knows
The opportunity presents itself or their temper becomes elevated, seeming as if the attack is spontaneous.
It is a scary thought
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7 Common Women’s Self Defence Myths
