In Self Defense there is no match fight,
it is highly possible that an attacker would be
larger and stronger than you. It makes sense to pull
back all the available advantages. Learning good body mechanics in striking will help you do that.

Body Mechanics play an important role in getting the most out of your strikes. There are 2 basic types of strike, a distracting strike and power strikes.

A Distracting Strike, carries the perception of speed. There is no advertising or telegraphing your intention, as this would give the attacker a chance to react, we want to ensure that you do not give him that chance.

A distraction with the hand for example, would simply require a fast movement with the hand. There is no rotation of the hips or shoulders required. You just want to make contact with the intended target.

Your initial movement only needs to be a very gross motor movement; even light strikes making contact with sensitive areas are very effective.

You would have already adopted the Defensive Stance, your hands will be raised to protect yourself but also to give the impression of being submissive. A good defensive stance also puts your hands in a position that is close to the intended targets. The targets are normally the sensitive areas around the face area.

Your hands would already be open, as part of your stance, so it should begin to make sense that your initial strikes would be with an open hand, this way you are not telegraphing your intention to strike by clenching a fist. Unexpected strikes carry more weight.

Action beats reaction as the hand is quicker than the eye.

If your hands are positioned close to the attackers head, you may only have about 6 inches to move in order to strike the nose, eyes or throat. If you strike from this range, targeting those types of area, then you will highly likely reach your target. Fingers to the eyes, grabbing the throat or a simple open hand to the nose are very effective. This will at very minimum, give an opportunity to create some distance or create an opening for you to unleash some power strikes.

A Distraction is part of a set up to create an opening either for you to get away or to set up your power strikes. Distractions do not have the same requirements as a Power strike where you are looking to maximize the potential of your body into the strike.

There are many ifs, buts, maybes, what if this and what if that but we cannot cover all of the options as every single situation is very different. The more you practice, the more you start to realize many more options you have at your fingertips. A quick example would be if someone grabbed your arms, then other targets open up lower down on the attacker but the same rules apply, quick distractions followed by power strikes.

A good rule to remember would be to initiate your strikes with your closest tool to the attacker’s closest target.

Power Strikes, should carry body weight. You do not normally initiate a combination of strikes with a power strike as there are many body movements involved that would certainly advertise your intention and make it very unlikely that you would reach the target.

Some methods of making your power strikes more effective are:

1. Technique - Power strikes should carry body weight so if it's a strike with the fist, open hands or elbows, rotating the hips, waist and shoulders. Your Power kicks should also use power generated through your hips.

2. Strike through the Target - Aiming about 6 inches through the target will make your strike more effective.

3. Targeting - Aiming for weak or sensitive areas increases the effect of the strike. There many weak and sensitive areas throughout the body. Different targets are suited depending on the attacker’s position in relation to you, whether you are standing nose to nose, lying on the ground, held by the arms, held from the front or back, in a headlock and so on.

As there are many possible variations, it would be sensible to practice striking targets such as the eyes, nose, jaw, throat, solar plexus, groin, outer thigh, inner thigh, knees, instep and so on.

In training, it would be advisable to use padding to protect any such areas. Even light strikes could easily inflict serious damage

4. Stance - Striking from an unlikely position such as a submissive stance can catch the attacker off guard. Unexpected strikes carry more weight.

Over the next few articles, I will be covering many of these areas. The first article will cover the need to have the belief in yourself that you can be effective in Self Defense regardless of your size and strength.

By Malcolm Bale - 2nd Degree Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu

Fightwize Self Defense, run classes and courses for Men, Women and Children. Learn Escape Techniques, Targeting and Striking, Ground Defense, Keychain Defense, Take Downs and Hold Downs.

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