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Legs. Keep legs straight without being locked at the knees. Too much tension in the muscles around the knees constricts blood circulation, which may cause you to be light headed or even to faint. Slightly bent knees allow you to move quickly or jump without unnecessary movement.
Feet. Keep right lead foot about a half step from the other foot, both with toes pointed outward slightly. Consciously stand still rather than shifting your weight from one foot to the other. Shifting your weight may be interpreted as uncertainty, a sign of vulnerability. When you are under attack, then foot movements becomes an asset.
Tight Clothing. You will not able to kick effectively while wearing tight pants or a tight dress. Also, a tight jacket or coat will severely limit your movements and punching power.
Neck Ties or Scarves. It is easy to hang a prisoner who already has a noose around his neck. Do not wrap a scarf around your neck if you are in a threatening situation. Only in the movies will you see a person whip the end of a scarf around her neck and then turn a walk away from a threatening person. In real life, you would find your head being jerked backward by the attacker grabbing and jerking the scarf. Police officers are not stupid, they do not wear wrap-around ties; they wear clip-on ties (dorky officers may wear a clip on bow tie). For dress occasions or business wear, clips-on ties look fashionably bad, so you have to judge what is more important in certain situations, fashion or protection. If you are concerned for your safety and still want to look good in a tie, put on your tie in its normal way, have a friend cut it in half behind your neck, hem the ends, and sew Velcro to the ends. Then the tie may be worn normally but it will rip away if grabbed.
Jewelry. Jewelry not only attracts muggers, it may hamper your efforts in defending yourself against them. Necklaces or chains around the neck and pierced ears, nose, etc., make excellent weapons for your attacker to use against you. Rings may actually help you since they may enhance the effect of your punches.
Hampered Arms. It is difficult to defend yourself when your arms are holding packages or a child. When your arms are hampered, be more aware of your surroundings.
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