The best type of self defence moves involve avoiding conflict altogether; either walking away or, if possible, using psychological techniques of persuasion. Sometime though a person is just out for a fight and you happen to be the unfortunate individual who has crossed their path. Either that or you have to step in for someone else who is being victimised unfairly.

Every style of martial arts has its own effective self defence techniques to use in these situations. There is always a lot of argument about which style is the best to have in this or that situation. These arguments can be heated but pretty useless in the end and are more about the egos of the people doing the talking and their attachment to something that makes them feel good about themselves.

All styles can be effective self defence systems provided the practitioner has the confidence and ability to use them and can deal with the shock of conflict. Often, just the sheer anxiety and heart pumping adrenaline of an altercation or confrontation can leave even good martial artists frozen on the spot while their attacker abuses them. This is where a system like Krav Maga is so effective; it evolved from Israeli army training and modern classes often use shock tactics like shouting and group attacks to get students used to real world situations.

Whatever art you are currently involved in can provide a solid defence against unwanted behaviour. Even the internal arts such as Tai chi have a number of self defence techniques – people forget that it is an effective combat art as well as a system of health. In Tai Chi the emphasis is on techniques that deflect an attacker’s energy using their aggressive forward motion against them – using that energy to redirect the opponent.

Ultimately the right self defence moves in any situation will depend on your training and how well you have taken in the information and made it your own. Self defence is also very much about attitude and how you move through the world. You could say it even begins with how we are thinking about other people in our heads and the views we hold about them. Mostly it is about confidence. Confidence in yourself and who you are as a person generates its own defence of dignity and quiet assurance.