List of Martial Arts Self-Defense Techniques with Videos & Instructions

Here are a variety of martial arts self-defense techniques (i.e. defense against headlocks and kicks). These techniques come from many martial arts styles such as Aikido, Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Students should only practice these martial arts self-defense techniques under the careful supervision of a trained martial arts instructor. The information on these pages and videos are meant to reinforce and supplement the instruction given at your martial arts classes. To properly understand these techniques, you need to learn them from a martial arts instructor who can provide you with an in-depth explanation of the technique, help correct your mistakes, answer your questions and detail how the technique should be utilized.

Visit the Grappling and Judo Techniques sections for more advanced ground escapes. You can also explore the Joint Locks section for instructions for wrist locks, arm locks, etc.

Amazon Self-Defense Books

Defense Against Punches

• Aikido Defenses Against Hook Punches
• Aikido Defenses Against Straight Punches
• Defense Against Punches When Mounted - Krav Maga - Defense Against Punches When An Attacker Is On Top Of You
• Defense against Hook Punch - Krav Maga Technique
• Defense Against A Straight Punch - Krav Maga Technique
• Keysi Pensador Technique - Keysi Fighting Method's Defense Against Head Attacks
• Krav Maga Inside Defense against Punches
• Krav Maga Outside Defense against Punches
• 360 Defense - Krav Maga

Defense Against Hand & Arm Strikes

• How To Counter An Elbow Strike

Defense Against Kicks

• Defense Against A Back Kick
• Defenses Against A Front Kick - A wide variety of defenses against a front kick,
• Defense Against A Roundhouse Kick - A wide variety of defenses against a roundhouse kick,
• Defense Against A Side Kick
• Defense Against A Spinning Hook Or Heel Kick
• Aikido Defenses Against Front Kicks - Techniques include Irimi-Nage, Sayu-Nage, etc.
• Aikido Defenses Against Roundhouse Kicks - Techniques include Nikyo, etc.
• Aikido Defenses Against Side Kicks - Techniques include Kubishime, Tenkan, etc.
• Aikido Defenses Against Spinning Kicks - Techniques include Irimi-Nage, Kubishime, etc.
• How To Catch A Push Kick
• How To Catch A Roundhouse Kick
• Karate Defense against a Front Kick with a Hook Sweep
• Karate Defenses Against Back Kicks - Shotokan Jiyu Ippon Kumite - Ushiro Geri
• Karate Defenses Against Front Kicks - Shotokan Jiyu Ippon Kumite - Mae Geri
• Karate Defenses Against Roundhouse Kicks - Shotokan Jiyu Ippon Kumite - Mawashi Geri
• Karate Defenses Against Side Kicks - Shotokan Jiyu Ippon Kumite - Yoko Geri
• Krav Maga Defense against a Front Kick
• Krav Maga Defense Against Knee Strikes
• Krav Maga Defense Against Low Kicks - This page focuses on how to use your shin to protect against low kicks.
• Krav Maga Defense against a Round Kick
• Leg Sweep Defense against a Roundhouse Kick
• Mixed Martial Arts Defense Against Roundhouse Kicks

Leg Grab Counters - What to do if someone has captured your leg during a kick.

• Leg Grab Counter with Armbar

Defense Against Chokes

• Defense Against A Front Choke
• Defense Against A Rear Choke
• Defense Against A Front Collar Grab
• Defense Against A One-Hand Neck Press Against the Wall - US Army Combatives
• Krav Maga - Escape A Choke From Behind - Or Defense Against A Rear Choke
• Krav Maga - Escape A Choke From The Front - Or Defense Against A Front Choke
• Krav Maga - Escape A Choke From The Side - Or Defense Against A Side Choke
• Krav Maga - Escape A Choke With Attacker In Mount - Or Escape From A Choke When An Attacker Is On Top Of You

Defense Against Grabs

• Defenses Against A Front Shirt Grab - Variety of defenses against front shirt grabs.
• Defenses Against A Rear Collar Or Shirt Grab - Variety of defenses against rear shirt grabs.
• Escape from a Front Hair Grab
• Escape from a Rear Hair Grab
• Escape from Wrist Grabs
• Aikido Katatori Ikkyo - Defense Against A Shoulder Grab Or Lapel Grab
• Aikido Katatori Nikyo - Defense Against A Shoulder Grab Or Lapel Grab
• Aikido Katatori Sankyo - Defense Against A Shoulder Grab Or Lapel Grab
• Aikido Katatetori Ikkyo - Defense Against A Wrist Grab
• Aikido Katatetori Nikyo - Defense Against A Wrist Grab
• Aikido Katatetori Sankyo - Defense Against A Wrist Grab
• Aikido Ryotemochi Ikkyo - Defense Against An Attacker Who Grabs One Wrist With Two Hands
• Aikido Ryotemochi Nikyo - Defense Against An Attacker Who Grabs One Wrist With Two Hands
• Aikido Ryotemochi Sankyo - Defense Against An Attacker Who Grabs One Wrist With Two Hands
• Aikido Ryotetori Ikkyo - Defense Against Both Hands Being Held
• Aikido Ryotetori Nikyo - Defense Against Both Hands Being Held
• Aikido Ryotetori Sankyo - Defense Against Both Hands Being Held
• Krav Maga - Escape From A Foot Grab
• Krav Maga - Escape From A Front Hair Grab
• Krav Maga - Escape From A Side Hair Grab
• Krav Maga - Escape From A Rear Hair Grab
• Krav Maga - Opposite Side Wrist Release
• Krav Maga - Same Side Wrist Release
• Krav Maga - Wrist Release When Held By Two Hands - How to escape an opponent who has grabbed your wrist with his two hands.

Defense Against Headlocks

• Counter to a Rear Headlock - Marine Corps Martial Arts
• Defense Against Headlock & Punches - US Army Combatives - How to counter an attacker who has you in a headlock and is punching you.
• Defense against a Side Headlock
• Defense against a Standing Rear Headlock
• Headlock Escapes
• Krav Maga - Escape From A Full Nelson
• Krav Maga - Escape From A Rear Headlock (Standing Headlock) - Or Defense Against A Headlock From Behind
• Krav Maga - Escape From A Side Headlock (Standing Headlock) - Or Defense Against A Headlock From The Side

Defense Against Bear Hugs

• Counter to a Rear Bear Hug - Marine Corps Martial Arts
• Defense Against A Bear Hug From Behind - Krav Maga - Or Defense Against A Rear Bear Hug
• Defense against a Bear Hug From The Front - Krav Maga
• Defense against a Rear Bear Hug
• Defense against a Rear Bear Hug if picked up off ground

Self-Defense for Kids

• Defense against Single Hand Wrist Grabs for Kids

Self-Defense Targets - Vital Areas

• Self-Defense - Eye Gouge
• Eye Strikes or Pokes
• Self-Defense - Groin Grab
• Kick to Groin or Groin Kick
• Kick to Head
• Kick to Knee
• Kick to Shin - Perhaps not a vital area but shin strikes are painful.
• Knee to Groin
• Strike to Ear
• Strike to Groin
• Strike to Nose
• Strike to Temple
• Strike to Throat
• For more techniques, visit the main Vital Points section.

Defense Against Guns

• Defense Against A Gun To The Front - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To The Rear - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To The Side - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To Back While Mounted - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Rifle - Krav Maga
• For more gun disarming techniques, please visit the main Self-Defense Against Weapons section.

Defense Against Knives

• Aikido Tanto Dori - Defenses Against Knife Attacks
• Defense Against A Knife Downward Stab - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife Straight Stab - Krav Maga - Defense against a straight thrust.
• Defense Against A Knife Upward Stab - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Front - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Rear - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Throat - Krav Maga - Knife to the neck from the front.
• Defense Against A Knife To The Throat From Rear - Krav Maga] - Knife to the neck from the rear (attacker is behind you).
• For more knife disarming techniques, please visit the main Self-Defense Against Weapons section.

Defense Against Sticks, Clubs, Baseball Bats, etc.

• Aikido Jo Dori - Defenses Against A Jo Short Staff (but also useful against clubs, sticks, etc.)
• Defense Against A Stick Or Bat - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Low Stick Strike - Krav Maga - This is a defense against an attacker who is trying to strike your knees or legs with a stick or club.
• Defense Against A High Stick Strike - Krav Maga - This is a defense against an attacker who is trying to strike your head or upper body with a stick or club.
• How To Use An Armlock Pin Against An Opponent With A Club, Stick Or Bat
• Shoulder Lock Defense Against An Opponent With A Club, Stick Or Bat
• For more club/stick disarming techniques, please visit the main Self-Defense Against Weapons section.

Defense Against Multiple Opponents

• Self-Defense Against Multiple Attackers
• Multiple Opponents Drills

Weapons of Opportunity

• Cane-Based Self-Defense Techniques
• Umbrella for Self Defense

Self Defense Techniques by Martial Arts Style

• Krav Maga Self Defense Techniques
• Shaolin Kempo Karate Self Defense Techniques