Common Attacks on Women and How to Defend Against Them

Personal safety is a universal concern, but women are often disproportionately targeted in violent or threatening situations. Understanding the most common types of attacks and learning how to defend against them is a critical step toward empowerment and confidence. At Sentinel Combatives, we focus on equipping women with the skills and mindset needed to protect themselves in real-world situations.

In this post, we’ll outline common attacks on women, explain why these situations occur, and provide practical strategies to defend against them.

Common Types of Attacks

Wrist Grabs

Attackers often grab a woman’s wrist to restrain or control her movement, pulling her toward them or into a vehicle.

Defense Strategy:

• Twist your wrist toward the attacker’s thumb—the weakest point in their grip.
• Follow up with a counterattack to vulnerable areas, such as their groin, eyes, or throat.
• Create distance and run to safety.

Bear Hugs

This is when an attacker grabs a woman from behind or in front, pinning her arms to limit movement.

Defense Strategy:

• Drop your weight and bend your knees to lower your center of gravity, making it harder for the attacker to lift you.
• Use your elbows to strike backward at their ribs or face.
• Stomp on their feet or use your heel to strike their shin.
• Once their grip loosens, turn and counterattack before escaping.

Chokes

Choking attacks are designed to incapacitate quickly, either by restricting airflow or blood flow.

Defense Strategy:

• Tuck your chin down to protect your throat and turn your head to one side to create a small airway.
• Use both hands to pluck at the attacker’s hands or wrists while stepping back or turning to escape the hold.
• Counterattack immediately, targeting their eyes, nose, or groin.

Pinned to the Ground

This scenario often occurs during attempted sexual assaults or other violent acts.

Defense Strategy:

• Use your hips and legs to buck the attacker off balance.
• Target their face with open-hand strikes or their groin with knee strikes.
• If possible, apply techniques like trapping their arm or leg to create leverage and escape.

Hair Grabs

An attacker may grab a woman’s hair to drag her or control her movements.

Defense Strategy:

• Secure the attacker’s hand on your hair to minimize pain and control the movement.
• Use your free hand to strike their face or groin.
• Once the grip loosens, break free and escape.

Key Principles of Self-Defense

Stay Aware

Situational awareness is your first line of defense. Always be mindful of your surroundings, avoid distractions like excessive phone use, and trust your instincts.

Use Your Voice

Yelling or shouting commands like “Stop!” or “Get back!” can startle an attacker and attract attention, deterring the attack.

Target Vulnerable Areas

When counterattacking, aim for sensitive areas such as the eyes, nose, throat, groin, or knees. These areas can incapacitate an attacker quickly and give you time to escape.

Act Decisively

Commit fully to your defensive actions. Hesitation can give the attacker the upper hand.

Practice Regularly

Learning self-defense techniques is not enough; practicing them consistently builds muscle memory and confidence.

How Sentinel Combatives Can Help

At Sentinel Combatives, we specialize in practical self-defense techniques through Krav Maga training, tailored for real-world situations.

We focus on:

• Empowering Skills: Learn techniques designed to neutralize common attacks.
• Situational Awareness: Develop the ability to identify threats and avoid dangerous situations.
• Confidence Building: Gain the mental strength and assurance to handle high-pressure situations.

Located in Young Harris, GA, we proudly serve women from Blairsville, Hiawassee, Hayesville, and beyond. Our goal is to equip every student with the tools they need to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Take the First Step Toward Empowerment

Self-protection is not just about physical techniques—it’s about reclaiming your confidence and feeling secure in any environment. Join Sentinel Combatives and take control of your safety today.

Stay strong and stay safe,
The Sentinel Combatives Team