Statistics are alarming regarding crime against a person. Almost one in two people will be or have been assaulted, robbed or even antagonized and ridiculed by a bully. The one thing that usually goes through the victims’ minds is “If only I could do something about it or what can I do to stop it?” For quite a few women, they turn to kickboxing as a form of self defense.

When you think of self defense, you likely think of having to use some type of force to protect yourself. The problem is that sometimes, you are not well-matched with your attacker. For instance, what good would a knife do you if the assailant had a gun? The gun is a lot quicker than a knife so there must be some other way to diffuse the situation and get that gun (or any other weapon) away from the perpetrator. Kickboxing is one thing that seems to be a good fit for most women who are seeking a discipline which makes allowances for self defense.

Keep in mind that if an assailant has a weapon, you should not necessarily jump in feet first flashing any newfound kickboxing moves. When the sides are in the favor of the perpetrator, it is not a fair fight and you could lose big time. You have to choose the right time which may not occur if you are unarmed while your assailant has a weapon.

Kickboxing is often lumped into the martial arts category as it closely resembles several disciplines. However, it is not a martial art but rather a combination sport which incorporates boxing and kicking. The goal of kickboxing is to defeat your opponent by placing well placed hits using your feet, fists and even the shins. The sport shows elements of Tae Kwon Do and Muay Thai, two actual martial arts disciplines.

Taking your life into consideration, you will discover that kickboxing can be quite a competent self defense tool. When you are learning the sport for self defense purposes, you should make a conscious effort to keep distance between you and the assailant. You should attack on the offensive rather than defensive first as it can diffuse a situation and whatever you do, do not let the assailant pin you down to the floor as this renders your kickboxing skill virtually useless.

Once the threat is firmly established, you may have to take the first kickboxing step toward protecting yourself. Catching the perpetrator when they are in a weak position means you have a better chance of getting away. You want to ensure that you stay upright as this is the best way to use the kickboxing skills you have acquired. Two things could happen – first, your assailant will try an alternate approach and get you to the floor or second, they will give up because you are too much trouble.

In a kickboxing lesson, you would primarily be learning some of the boxing basics such as the uppercut, jab, crossed punches and hooks. Of course, there is the kicking too. Some instructors like to mix things up a bit and incorporate some off-shoot disciplines such as the Muay Thai or Tae Kwon Do listed above. For instance, the Muay Thai can be quite helpful for fledgling kickboxers as it involves the use of knees to jabbing and striking your assailant. (Can anyone say “kneed groin?”)

All in all, kickboxing is the least complicated to learn in terms of self defense. And while it is not a true martial arts discipline, it will likely always be referred to as such. You can get a leg up on the competition today – tray kickboxing!

There are a number of different personal self defense tools out on the market that are great for women. However, with some, there are likely rules and regulations to follow in regards to its use on a state by state basis. Pepper spray, stun guns and tasers all have various restrictions depending on where you live. However, the kuboton currently does not have any regulations against it in regards to using it for self defense. Do you know what a kuboton is and how you can use it for self defense?

A kuboton is a small cylindrical stick made out of material like plastic, aluminum or wood, with aluminum being the most popular material of choice on the market. It measures 5 to 6 inches long and is about ½ inch in diameter. Some of these devices will have a blunt, flat end while others may have a slightly pointed tip. While it is long enough to maintain a grasp on it, it is short enough to conceal partially in your fist. A kuboton is often grooved to prevent your hand from slipping on it should it become wet or your hand sweats. For the most part, a kuboton is placed on a keychain for ready access in the event that self defense is necessary.

Because the kuboton is grasped in the fist, this device actually accentuates the power of any punches or hits you may give your attacker. It is designed to be used against bony body surfaces as well as nerve points and soft tissue. As anyone knows, a knock to the shins, elbows, knees and other areas where nerves are close to the surface can render you temporarily frozen in place by the pain. Just imagine how painful a hit with the kuboton can be when you use the pointed end with force!

As mentioned above, the kubuton enhances the force of any strike you make against an assailant. You do not have to be precise in your aim to vulnerable areas as each hit will definitely sting. There are some great places to aim for besides the shins and kneecaps that will give your attacker pause. The solar plexus, ankle, arms, groin, abdomen, pelvic bone and the throat are good, vulnerable places in which to strike and cause pain. And if you are particularly strong, a hard, solid strike from the kuboton against a bony area could actually fracture the bone!

The kuboton works best when you aim for the bony parts as these provide the most pain for your efforts. However, this device can be quite troublesome as well when aimed at the fleshier areas. What women should do with the kuboton is go into attack mode without thought to exact strike placements. You do not always have the luxury of taking aim at particular body parts so you do what you can as quickly as you can to inflict as much damage as possible. There is no wrong or right strike. Even fleeting blows to painful areas, such as where the nerves lie close to the bony surfaces, could be enough to give your attacker pause.

As the kuboton is best stored on your keychain, just remember that your keys attached to it make for a great weapon as well. You could easily grasp the kuboton in your hand and swing the keys towards an assailant’s face where it would cause the most damage. This small cylindrical device seems quite innocuous on your keychain and most people will not notice it for what it really is – an effective self defense weapon that has the capability of saving your life in an attack.