In the face of a violent attack, self defence can be a key component in maintaining your safety. However, it’s important to remember that there are certain things you cannot do if you want to claim self defense as a legal justification for your actions.

One of the most crucial aspects of any self defence strategy is to try to avoid a physical confrontation altogether. This can be done through awareness and de-escalation techniques. Keeping your eyes open and limiting distractions can help you spot trouble before it escalates. Knowing your boundaries and establishing them with people who don’t respect those limits is also essential.

Assuming you cannot escape from a danger that is both present and imminent, it may be lawful for you to defend yourself with the amount of force that would seem necessary to a reasonable person in your position under the circumstances. This is known as the “Castle Doctrine.” A number of states also have laws that allow you to hold your ground and defend yourself, regardless of whether you believe you are in danger or not.

The type of force you use when defending yourself will depend on where and how close the attacker is to you. For example, if your assailant is standing right in front of you it may be most effective to strike his eyes or nose. You can strike the eyes by gouging or poking them, slapping his face, or striking him on the head with your elbow (from the side or front). Similarly, if you are being attacked from behind you it may be most appropriate to kick the knee of his body. Knees are very vulnerable from all angles and can be hit with enough force to cause injury and potentially knock him out.

You can strike your attacker’s knee with the heel of your palm or with a punch aimed at the kneecap. The knee is also a great target from the back as it is easily kicked by the leg without your foot being grabbed.

If your assailant is holding a weapon or threatening you with the threat of violence, it can be more difficult to justify the level of force used in self defense. The threat must be immediate in nature and it must have been reasonably apparent that you needed to use force to defend yourself against the physical assault. A verbal threat is not enough to warrant the use of force, even if it appears that you will be physically attacked at some point in the future.

While it is never ideal to be in a position where you have to use self defence, the reality is that we live in a dangerous world and violence can happen at any time. A few basic self defence skills and the ability to stay calm in a dangerous situation can make all the difference in surviving a violent encounter. Keep a cool head, use lateral thinking, and memorize some basic self defence techniques to tip the odds slightly more in your favor when violence strikes.