Can a woman really defend herself against a man?
In today’s video and article I will discuss the reality of self-defense for women… specifically can a woman really defend herself against a man?
Women’s Self-Defense & Martial Arts Classes B.S.!!!
The world of martial arts is steeped in mysticism, tradition, and a lot of unrealistic ideology.
For instance here are some outlandish things I have heard said from other martial arts or self-defense instructors:
B.S. #1) If you train long and hard enough it will work…
Meaning if you train in an unrealistic martial art long enough you will eventually get good enough that you can beat a man at his own game. This mythology is glamorized in movies where we see a tiny female heroin easily defeat multiple male attackers with fists, throws, and kicks.
Unfortunately no one ever tells the actress that in real life her dainty hands would break before the male attacker’s face does. This is a classic example of using the wrong type of martial arts training for women.
B.S. #2) Women can’t win on the ground so we teach them to stay off of it
So this mind-set is the exact opposite of the previous way of thinking. This one assumes hopelessness on the part of the woman trying to defend herself.
The reality is that a man or a woman needs to have an answer for every situation and position that they might find themselves in and any martial arts school that denies that simply doesn’t know what or how to train effectively.
B.S. #3) Don’t kick a guy in the testicles it will only piss him off…
Yep it sure will piss him off. And best case scenario once he gets up off of the ground several minutes later you will be in your car driving away and be on the phone with 9-1-1. Worst case scenario it makes him flinch long enough for you to do your next move (continue unarmed attack or make space and deploy a weapon.)
Often a statement like this comes from a well-meaning female self-defense instructor who doesn’t know what it is like to be kicked in the testicles… for obvious reasons. Look a kick to the testicles is like any other strike we can do… some people will get taken out of the game by it and others it will stun them allow us to do our next move.
Being Realistic
In almost all cases the man is physically / structurally superior to the female. He weighs more, has greater bone density, more muscle, thicker connective tissue, he can activate a higher number of motor units, etc.
While the contrast isn’t quite as stark imagine fighting a gorilla. Your punch to his face is insignificant. So while the differences between a man and woman are not as great as a gorilla and human the moral of the story is that superior physical structure does matter.
And to be fair there are smaller-framed men and larger-framed women who are closer in physical structure but the man almost always still has the advantage.
So, Can a Woman Defend Herself Against a Man?
The answer is clearly “yes.” I have several of my female clients who have defended themselves against men. Some of them unarmed and some of them used a legal knife that they easily and comfortably carried with them everywhere they went.
When it comes to a woman defending herself against a man it comes down to making better tactical decisions and picking better targets to attack.
Examples:
- Using the element of surprise
- Utilizing self-defense weapons (when legal and appropriate)
- Attacking vulnerable targets such as testicles, eyes, and the throat
- Being mentally and psychologically prepared in advance
- Being relentless and possessing killer instinct
Final Thoughts
Women absolutely can defend themselves as long as they focus on realistic methods of self-defense / martial arts and prepare their minds and bodies appropriately.
If you are a female and would like the most realistic training possible come sign up and become amazing.
Until next time,
Brian
