No matter what self-defense technique you want to use in order to get out of trouble, your “weapon of choice” needs to abide to these five basic rules. This is not because I want to impose anything on you, but goes without saying that if you can’t use this technique to save your life, then there’s not much point in using it in the first place. You will see that the rules apply to basically any self-defense technique you might think of.

1. A good technique will work in the real world. Unfortunately, many people who take up self-defense classes or martial arts courses are taught moves that will never apply in real life. Some moves are based on the idea that the opponent will react in a certain way, but in real life perhaps do their own thing. Thus, a good move will have to work in the real world and not just score points for acrobatics.

2. A good technique is safe. While safe to do in practice sessions, some moves will incapacitate you in the real world. Try punching someone in the head without protective gloves- you’ll fracture your hands. Try doing a roundhouse kick on a slippery surface- you will fall and possibly break your back. A good technique is one that is 100% safe to use and won’t hurt you more than the attacker!

3. A good technique works in more than one situation. Many theoretical techniques will work well only in one situation in the real life. For example, many moves are designed for attacks you will receive from the front. What happens if someone grabs you from behind or from the side? A good technique will work anytime and you must be confident about applying it always.

4. A good technique gives your opponent little option. There’s not much glory or use in punching the attacker if he or she can do the same at the same time. A good technique needs to baffle the opponent and give him very few options of striking or defending. The attacker needs to feel isolated and out of options- in that case, they’ll run away before any serious harm can be inflicted.

5. A good technique will stop the attacker in his tracks. There’s no point in executing a complicated move if it doesn’t inflict the maximum physical damage on the attacker, no matter the opponent’s size. A good move will incapacitate the attacker and will give you time to either move away or immobilize the opponent even further. Just causing pain isn’t enough- what you want is for the opponent to go down like a sack of potatoes and stay there! For this, you have to use your elbows, knees, fists and of course any type of weapon you can get your hands on.