The Top 10 Karate Techniques for Self-Defense

The martial art of karate is quite popular among hobbyists and fitness experts. There’s no denying the applications of karate in real-world situations. Although they might be rare, knowing that you have some karate moves up your sleeve can give you the confidence of handling any potentially violent situation.

It’s likely that your nearest gym centre offers some form of karate training, and if you’re planning to join, here are 10 basic karate moves for self-defence that can do you a world of good in protecting you and your loved ones.

Remember that these are purely self-defence techniques aimed to momentarily stall your attacker and give you enough time to run away.

1) Knee Strike

The knee strike is a good attacking move when your opponent hasn’t got hold of you yet and you anticipate an attack. 

• Join your hands in a fist, go towards your attacker and hit them in the face with your hands.
• Blocking their view with your hands, jab your knee into their solar plexus (thigh, abdomen, groin region).
• Run away before your attacker recovers.

2) Groin Kick

The groin kick can induce sudden, immense pain in your attacker, letting you quickly make your getaway. Ask trainers at karate classes near you to teach you this move.

• Keeping one hand over the other, hit your opponent's face, momentarily blocking their view.
• Extend your leg and aim for your attacker’s groin.
• Deliver the kick with the shin area of your leg, keeping your core stable.
• Run away quickly.

3) Palm Strikes

If you want to strike your attacker in self-defence, always go for palm strikes instead of punches, since punches can hurt or even fracture your hand.

• Extend your palm, bringing its full surface towards your attacker.
• Strike your attacker with your palm on their nose or jaw.
• Immediately after, strike them again with the palm of your other hand.
• These twin strikes can give you ample time to run away or call for help.  

4) Elbow Strikes

Among various karate moves, the elbow strike can be very useful if you are under attack. 

• Elbow strikes require proximity, so go in close to your attacker.
• With one arm extended to 45 degrees, strike your attacker’s cheekbone or jaw.
• With your other hand, immediately strike their neck with a circular elbow strike.
• Return to your stable position and run away.

5) Forearm Strikes

Forearm strikes are similar to elbow strikes, but you hit with your forearm instead.

• Hit first with one hand from a 45-degree angle, blocking your attacker’s vision.
• Follow that up with a circular strike with your other hand, aiming for your attacker’s neck and lower jaw.
• Make your getaway.

6) Defence for Wrist Grab

Any self defence karate classes near you will probably teach you this move first. When your attacker grabs your wrist, do this:

• Hit your attacker with a forearm strike with your other hand.
• At the same time, forcefully jerk your grabbed hand downwards, releasing it.
• Deliver a palm strike with the hand you just released and run away.

7) Defence for Hair Grab

Hair grabs are commonly perpetrated by attackers on women in an attempt to abduct or dominate them. Here’s how you can release yourself:

• Go close towards your attacker and block their hip with your forearm.
• Lower yourself to their waist and strike with your other forearm to their groin.
• Run away as they’re momentarily dazed and release your hair.

8) Defence against Chokes

Your attacker might choke you against a wall. This is common in domestic abuse or rage cases. Release yourself with the following karate moves:

• Lift one hand high above your attacker’s arm and lift your shoulder as well.
• Move it to the opposite side and strike your attacker on the neck with your forearm.
• Strike again with your other hand and release yourself.

9) Defence Against Straight Punches

A straight punch is a common attack one can expect during a brawl. Here’s how to defend yourself from it.

• Get inside your attacker’s angle and block the punch with both hands.
• Rotate your body and strike your attacker’s neck with a forearm strike.
• With the same hand, grab their neck and push it down.
• Follow it up with a knee strike to the chest or face.

10) Swinging Punch Defence

Instead of coming in with a straight punch, your attacker may come at you with a swinging round punch.

• The basic defence remains the same, but with a slight bend of your arm as you block the punch.
• Strike with your forearm first on the attacker's neck and follow up with an elbow strike.

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