Butt Kicking Basics

If you're being attacked, there's no time to panic – you have to think and act quickly. 'In any situation, surprise is your best form of defence,' says Sanette Smit, COSMO's self-defence expert. 'The attacked doesn't expect you to fight back.' Learn – and practise – these basic moves and you'll be better equipped to defend yourself against three of the most common types of attack.

THROAT GRAB	What happens: He grabs you from behind, trapping the upper half of your body with his arms. What to do: 1. Your first instinct will probably be to grab his arms with your hands. 2. Twist your hips and legs to one side. 3. Use the fist of your inner arm to strike his groin fiercely. He'll most likely react by clutching his groin and will let go of your waist. You could also elbow him in the stomach and force the heel of your shoe into his foot.
BEAR HUG
GROUND ATTACK

*Photographs by Debra Roets

Author: Lesleigh Kivedo