West Jordan, Utah home invasion. Lady hides in closet with robbers. Needs Home security system or alarm.

Although this kid was really brave it could have turned out badly. Good thing the robber decided to turn and run.

How to break a finger: Although bones are strong breaking a finger is relatively easy and can be done by even much smaller defenders. Grab any finger, not the thumb, like you are grasping a bike handle bar and jerk the finger in the opposite direction of the joint. Side to Side or Backwards it doesn’t matter. Use the joint as a pivot and break it like a twig.

There aren’t any downsides to this move and can be great if you are tied up or on the ground with an attacker. Make sure that you don’t kind of jerk the finger. If you put all your strength in it and have a solid grip using your palm to drive it down the finger should snap rather easily.

One of the scary moments was after the boy struck the burglar twice in the bat in the back he turned and took the bat from him.  The intruder was a large man and could have easily turned the bat on the boy.  However, he didn’t and simply fled.  I’m not sure how the situation could have been handled differently because if he didn’t act it could have been bad and because he acted it could have been bad.  I guess action is better than inaction when safety is in question.  Here are some links to the original articles on the event.

Arizona Republic article 

Arizona blogger article 

This situation goes to show that when using a self defense weapon you have to be careful because if you lose control of that weapon it can be turned on you.  Make sure you talk to your kids about what to do in a self defense situation like this.

So go to work. Practice this self defense blocking technique and then create some offensive combinations that follow and are comfortable to you. Try and make them high impact moves so that you can quickly incapacitate your attacker. You don’t want to drag it on longer than you have to.

Combined with the previous video about Hick’s law this can be an effective self defense move to block that first strike. I like his analogy of a jack in the box. You know it’s going to happen, but you just don’t know when. Simplifying your defense moves and using your flinch reaction can be a life saver. Then your more technical martial arts training can finish the job.

Although this move does leave out a lot things and has it’s limitations it is good to have a good ol’ faithful move that you use regardless in case you don’t have time to think. Enjoy the self defense technique video.

Some of the things this technique are missing are thinking about combination attacks like a one two punch or leg kick punch. Also, he failed to mention that when blocking the tackle or when in take down defense it is important to drop your hips to lower you center of gravity. He does it in the video but doesn’t stress it.

The Throat Strike is a powerful and dirty fighting technique.  Take it from someone who was punched in the throat in a high school fight it does not feel good.  I sounded like the godfather for 2 weeks and my throat muscles were deeply bruised for a couple of weeks as well. 

How to deliver a Throat Strike?  Most people tend to keep their chin down so the best way to strike the throat is with what is call a ridge hand.  It is the classic Karate flat handed strike using the edge of the hand as a knife.  You can strike with the outside or inside of your hand.  It is easiest to thrust your hand forward like you are throwing a punch or jab and hit the throat with your hand where your index figure meets your hand.  That boney joint will make a nice hard surface that can collapse the throat.

Why use a throat strike? The throat strike is a smart self defense technique that temporarily disables your opponent.  If you are not a physically powerful person this strike is perfect.  You are using your brain instead of brawn.  Your hard hand can severely damage the soft tissue of the throat and cause your attacker to become dazed and lose steam. 

What does a throat strike feel like?  You don’t feel like you are choking or gagging and you don’t have the feeling of having your bell rung like getting hit in the head.  It’s a hard feeling to describe but it is very distracting and the pain can be intense.  It’s like getting hit by a sharp corner right in your thigh and you get a charley horse.  That painful knot or charley horse is right in your throat and it hurts to speak, turn, breath or in general use the muscles around your neck.

This is part of our Dirty Fighting Techniques Article.

The groin strike is a classic and I’m sure is somehow engrained in our instinctive defenses.  Often considered to be off limits in a fight between men in a self defense situation the groin is a prime target.  The groin area is very sensitive and invokes a strong emotional and physical reaction from men.  Even if you miss or your simply fake a groin strike you can distract your foe long enough to deliver another blow.

Where to strike?  Often our instinct is to throw a forward strike.  However, when striking the groin your target is the testicles.  In order to strike the testicles you should strike from below the waist upward.

How to strike the groin?  A kick is the fastest way to hit the groin or testicles.  When you kick to the groin you should try and land your shin, not too high but just above your ankle, between the legs of your opponent.

If you aren’t able to kick the groin you can also punch or squeeze the testicles.  However, most men wear jeans and this would make squeezing or punching the groin less effective. 

Warning: Although the groin is a very delicate area for men when a man’s adrenaline is pumping or is intoxicated in any way this strike may become less effective.

 Groin Strike Combinations: If you land a good groin strike the attacker’s reaction would be to lean forward and grab their groin.  This gives you the opportunity to land additional strikes and incapacitate your assailant.

Knee to the head
Kick to the head
Eye Gouge
Scratch
Punch or Elbow to the face

The foot stomp is a very simple yet effective self defense technique.  It is delivered while in the standing position usually while grappling or while being grabbed by your assailant.  When your assailant has wrapped their arms around you simply stomp with your heel into the center of the attacker’s foot. This will cause great pain, throw your attacker off balance and possibly breaking their foot.  Causing enough pain for them to let go of you and preventing them from chasing you.

                Foot Stomp Technique: It’s really simple.  Point your heel at the center of the attacker’s foot and stomp as hard as you can.  To make sure you got the job done you should stomp hard driving your foot through the foot and repeat that move quickly several times until you are released.

                Why is the foot stomp effective?  Your heel is extremely strong and striking it against the small fragile bones, of the top of the foot, can break the attacker’s foot.  Even if you don’t break the foot you should inflict enough pain to create a window of opportunity to break free or deliver additional strikes to break free and run.

                Warning:  Be careful to not try and deliver a foot stomp when are facing your assailant and not tied up or grabbed.  You risk opening yourself up for a strike or to fall off balance.