The leg is mightier than the hand

A few posts ago I discussed and then in a short video demonstrated two highly effective hand strikes that you can use in a self-defense situation.  The first step, of course, was to block the incoming punch, and we talked about the high block last month.  If you stand and do nothing while an attacker is aiming a heavy punch toward your face, the game is over before it begins.  So you absolutely must DO SOMETHING!  And the first "something" is to execute the best, and most powerful, high block that you can muster.
   But suppose you just aren't confident that your hand strikes will stop a larger, younger opponent.  What then?  Well, for sheer stopping power, nothing beats the force of a well-placed kick.  So in today's post we'll examine an uncomplicated way to harness the power of the strongest muscles in your body.  This sequence of movements is something that does not require great flexibility or advanced training.  All it requires is average athletic ability and, more importantly, the desire to DO SOMETHING in the unlikely event you become the victim of an unprovoked attack.  If you are not certain that you are physically fit enough to execute these or any other techniques discussed in this blog, you should naturally speak with your doctor before beginning.
   Today's self-defense sequence is as follows:
          1.  Block the incoming punch.
          2.  Aim a quick, powerful front snap kick to the opponent's groin.
          3.  When the attacker doubles over [and if you land the front snap kick properly, he most definitely will double over] grab the back of his head with both hands.
          4.  Pull the attacker's face toward your knee, which you are raising with all the power that you can generate.
          5.  Final step, as always: turn and get away.  Everything we discuss in "Seniors in the Martial Arts" is about buying time to get away.  If you can talk your way out of an attack, always do so.  But if you can't, buy yourself enough time for help to arrive or to beat a hasty retreat. 
   Okay, you've got the steps.  Now watch an extremely brief video demonstration of how to put the steps together.  I have slowed each step down somewhat so that you can see the techniques more clearly, and you'll have to imagine that I'm facing a larger opponent.  In an actual self-defense situation, you would want each technique to be delivered with as much force as you can generate.
    Block, snap kick, and knee to the attacker's face.