Women’s Self-Defense Verbal Skills- Develop an Assertive Attitude

Posted on February 5, 2008
Filed Under Empower Yourself, Self-Defense Tactics, Self-Defense Verbal Skills, Videos, Women's Self-Defense

Shihan Michael Pace

Sometimes women can be too nice to people they don’t know. Women usually don’t want to be considered rude or loud, so when there’s a confrontation of some sort may tend to demonstrate a passive attitude. If a perpetrator is confronting you, he may be checking your reactions to see how you respond. He may be looking for a potential victim who appears weak–not strong. And he certainly doesn’t want one who is willing to fight him should he attack.

There are basically three modes of behavior women will display if confronted by a potential attacker. Which one is your behavior? Of course, you will use your judgment based on the situation at hand.

1. Passive Behavior. You usually keep the head down. If confronted may continually apologize, whether you’re at fault or not. Not looking straight at the person.

2. Aggressive Behavior. You explode right back at someone if confronted. You get too physical right from the start. This in itself could actually escalate into a full-blown fight when maybe it would not have gotten that far.

3. Assertive Behavior. Strong behavior, confident but not aggressive. Look the person straight in the eye and tell them to “BACK OFF.” Use a strong voice, powerful but not aggressive. Maintain a position of strength and have your hands out in front and tell the person to “BACK OFF!”

In Katy Mattingly’s book “Self-Defense – Steps to Survival” she states that assaults rarely begin on the physical level. Your success at physical defense depends on your ability to practice verbal techniques first. According to the FBI, you have a four times greater chance of breaking off an attempted assault if you practice a self-defense technique. The good news is that the study included shouting as a self-defense technique.
(Her book is located to the right of the posting in my recommendation column).

We need to learn how to shout if we are attacked. Shout to the top of your lungs if you have to so others can hear you and possibly throw off your attacker. After awareness, your voice is your second line of defense. Your voice can startle a perpetrator and send a loud and clear signal that you are willing and prepared to defend yourself. Many perpetrators would be deterred from their plans by such a verbal demonstration.

Practice shouting. Stand up straight, put your hands on your belly, take a deep breath and shout NO! You are physically stronger when you yell and weaker when you’re silent. Also, shouting “No” or “Back Off” helps you to breath in this type of situation. Usually, the first thing that happens to women is they will hold their breath and tend to freeze up. Shout out to the top of your lungs! It may just save your life.

I just received my DVD on Street Self-Defense 101 by Shihan Michael Pace . After I watch it I will post a review. To get your copy of Street Self-Defense 101 go to www.self-defense-videos.com.

Remember, Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!

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