Ways to deal with self-defense situations

• Avoid
• De-escalate
• Escape
• Stun and run
• Stun and control
• Stun and use deadly force

When learning self-defense techniques, remember there are some things a real attacker will probably never use:

• Attack from a low, traditional stance.
• Use a straight punch.
• Use a knife hand attack
• Use a hammer fist to the top of the head.
  
• Punch or kick from such a distance that the arm or leg stops, at full extension, before it hits your body.
• Punch or kick from such a distance that the fist or foot only touches you.
• Punch over your head or past your shoulder.
• Punch, then leave the arm where it stopped.
• Swing only once.
• Attack from a distance that makes kicks possible.
• Forget that he or she has another hand.
• Grab you, then stand there.
• Grab you, then release you when you begin your counter-technique.
• Be afraid to touch you.
• Allow you to keep your balance so you can perform your technique. 
  

When learning self-defense techniques, remember there are some things a real attacker will probably use:

• An unannounced attack from a person who is larger and stronger than you are.
• A sucker punch, from the rear hand that comes from over the shoulder.
• A grab and yank, often accompanied by a punch.
• A punch that goes through you, with body weight behind it.
• A dive or tackle.
• A shove.
• A hair grab accompanied by a punch or knee.
• A scooping groin kick.
• A blinding array of punches until he or she goes down or wins.
• An instant struggle to grab you again, should you escape the first grab.
• An ongoing effort to keep you off-balance.
• The mass of his or her body bearing on you all the time.

Sources

Thompson, Geoff. [Online]. Available: http://www.geoffthompson.com