Belts - Improvised Self-Defense Weapons

In a self-defense situation, martial artists can use a belt as an improvised martial arts weapon. Other "everyday" items used for self-defense that people might commonly carry or wear include canes, women's high heel shoes, umbrellas, etc.

It is hard to take off a belt in the middle of a fight. Therefore, this self-defense tool must be taken off in advance of any trouble (i.e. upon seeing a group of potential attackers approaching or dealing with potential attackers who have begun with verbal harassment and who might escalate the situation).

Belts can be utilized in the following manners:

• Swing the belt and strike the attacker with the belt buckle.
• Use the belt like a whip in order to create stand-off distance.
• Wrap belt around a fist in order to shield & pad the punching or blocking hand.
• Use belt like a rope in order to restrain or entangle attacker.
• Use belt to choke attacker.

Belts can be used like traditional martial arts weapons such as the Kusari Fundo.