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Originally posted by hikickinchick
Any advice from anyone on what else I could start doing? Basically all I've got so far are front kick, and low roundhouse....any ideas for anything that would actually work against an opponent?
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First of all, I'm very happy that you were able to come out of that experience unharmed and I congratulate you in keeping your head. You've just had a valuable lesson in reality fighting without having to pay the usual price.
Secondly, understand that whether it seemed so or not your training and involvement in martial arts
did help you deal with the situation effectively (remember, your friend was frozen with fear, you were not).
Your techniques, BTW, were perfectly legitimate, standard self defense (sudden attack, then run) so you should be very proud. And don't you dare ever give the vermin "fair warning". They're expecting a helpless girl, use that against them.
I remember reading an article by Frank Benn a few years back entitled "The Myth and the Math" wherein he makes the point that if you associate number values to every part of your body and your opponent's body it helps to clarify your course of action.
For instance, I'm a 6'2, 235 lbs. male; my fist probably rates an 8 while yours is a 4 - you lose. However, no matter how big and strong I am, my eye will never be more than a 1 against your thumb nail, a 5 - I lose. You do the rest of the "Math"...
Consider that one of the most valuable self defense techniques is awareness and common sense. (Now you know!)
Arm yourself. I know you cant carry weapons, but you should have a nice sharp pencil in your hand when you're alone (after all, you just came out of math tutoring).
As for further training in self defense, you should relate this incident to your MA instructor if you haven't already done so and press him for more self defense training, even at the expense of "sports" techniques. Be firm and persistent in your request, don't accept a couple of self defense sessions and then back to the old routines. A good instructor will respond to your concerns or risk losing you as a student. The more you train, the more familiar you will become with techniques that will eventually become "flinch reactions".
And finally, check out Paxton Quigley. Her books, and website will offer you a lot of support, ideas and guidance.
http://www.paxtonquigley.com/