Self-Defense Techniques

Speed v. Power

Do not try to hit hard when you punch. You will just tense up your shoulders and back, and quickly wear yourself out. Instead attack with relaxed speed, but with your body aligned into the technique; alignment is your power. Plus, tense fighters tend to telegraph their intentions..

Fighting A Larger Opponent

• You cannot stay outside and trade punches with an opponent with a reach advantage. If you are a kicker and opponent is not, you can punish opponent's legs while he or she flails away with his hands at the open air, forcing him or her to over commit forward so you fight from the inside. You can fight inside with power and leverage while the opponent cannot get power behind his or her long arms. If you are a good boxer, use your overhand punch. This is a well-covered punch that can knock a taller fighter out.
• Learn to grapple. Since your center of gravity is lower, you have more leverage in close. Learn takedowns which lead directly to the back mount. From there, it is all elbows and naked chokes.
• Beware of coming inside and holding on to the lower body or legs while opponent pounds away at you. If you clinch at the waist, move around to opponent's back, where he or she cannot hit you.