Women's Self-Defense Techniques

by Keith Pascal

All of this is good martial-arts advice. Sound advice.

In fact, I have written my share of articles suggesting the very same advice. And this is the advice given in Tiptoeing to Tranquility: The Parable for Finding Safety and Comfort in Dangerous Times.

That means read to the end of this article, and think about what I am advising for a few minutes afterwards. At least consider the possibility.

What addition to your repertoire of defense techniques and strategies am I referring to?

Wrist locks and joint locks.

Yes, I am serious.

A small female trying to wrist lock a big giant? Are you kidding?

As I said, I am completely serious.

First of all, a small woman can learn to effect a wrist lock on a big guy.

Let's take my wife as an example. My wife, Kate, is five foot, two inches, and weighs under 118 pounds. I am a little under six feet tall, and I weigh over 270 pounds. Kate can lock me, at will.

Besides, she follows my advice and doesn't go straight into a lock. She hits or kicks first. For her, a wrist lock is a controlling move, after she has done some damage.

Of course, I think it would be great if you became a wrist-lock expert, too. Even if you don't want to perfect locks against big, heavy brutes, I still feel that understanding locking principles is important.

If you know how wrist locks and joint locks work ... if you really understand the principles ... if you know the feeling, then that knowledge will help you someday.

If you count locks as some of your women's self defense techniques, then the skill will generalize....

Let's say a guy grabs you. You can't get away.

As one of your hands goes for an eye jab and your knee starts to lift into his groin, your other hand reaches for the hand grabbing you.

This attacker is still holding on.

You have to get him to let go.

Practical Women's Defense Advice ...

Because you know several wrist locks, you will instinctively know the best directions to cause pain. As you think of the tight angles of some of your wrist locks, you curl your attacker's fingers inward, causing even more pain.

And remember, as you effect a wrist lock or finger lock, you will be kicking shins and knees, using your elbows to strike ... anything to get the jerk to release his hold on you.

The minute you feel a complete release, because you have caused enough pain, you'll get away to safety, right?

You're able to leave, because you knew locking principles. You didn't have to throw the guy, or hold him in a lock for the authorities (although you could, if you were an expert).

You just had to cause enough pain to get away.

Getting away -- the original goal for a good women's self defense technique.

Of all of the martial arts books written by Keith Pascal, Wrist Locks: From Protecting Yourself to Becoming an Expert is the book that martial artists enjoy working through the most.

Now, this new and revised edition has 423 new photos -- joint-lock sequences to help you control others with ease. It also boasts new locks and two new bonus chapters, featuring Steve Golden, an original Bruce Lee and Ed Parker student.