How to handle violent mentally ill homeless person?

Im a small woman and today I was borderline assaulted by homeless man who i assume is mentally ill and I realized I have no idea how to handle such a situation.

I could hear him yelling at a woman crossing the street as I was unlocking my bike. I continued unlocking it and didnt look at him. Usually ignoring works but unfortunately he started approaching and yelling. One thing he kept yelling was "why wont you look at me".

He kicked my bike then came in front of me with his bike and I had no idea what to do so I said "are you ok? can i help you at all" with genuine concern but also fear. Anyways he then smashed the front of my bike with his bike narrowly missing me and screamed fuck off then left.

I feel very lucky that he didnt actually hit me or do something worse. I'm 5'2 100lbs I have zero ability to fight back against a grown man. Its also illegal to carry pepper spray where I live.

it got me thinking what the ideal way to handle this would have been?

Submitted September 19, 2026 at 11:57PM by canadianalady https://ift.tt/doL0Aic

Best striking art compliment to a wrestling base/background

In terms of striking arts, which one would you guys say compliments a wrestling background best in terms of easily transitioning into and setting up takedowns and just any other things that you guys would consider good striking traits for a wrestler.

Submitted September 19, 2026 at 07:23PM by North_Indication2898 https://ift.tt/ABLqMKR

Kubaton vs stungun which is better

If I had one choice what would be the most effective thing to seriously hurt someone so they can't attack me and hurt me . Assuming there both ok to use where I live.

Submitted September 19, 2026 at 02:44PM by Available_Safe3782 https://ift.tt/bnHTNr5

Pepper Spray vs Tear Gas?

I recently purchased some pepper spray for self defense but I realized it’s not the 3 in 1 stuff that has Tear Gas in it. Would the tear gas spray be a more effective option? If I do have to use it it’s likely that it will be multiple attackers so I feel like tear gas is better since it’s not as important to directly hit all of them in the face with it.

Submitted September 17, 2026 at 03:53PM by Putrid-Trick-1583 https://ift.tt/BPbf4TX

Did martial help you handle more conflicts and tough situations?

/r/martialarts/comments/1wen2po/did_martial_help_you_handle_more_conflicts_and/

Submitted 2026-09-14T14:59:33Z by apokrif1 https://ift.tt/vOSnKTg

Pepper Spray for Dogs?

I hike a lot.

I have been attacked twice by dogs requiring rabies shots, and one attack had pretty deep punctures on my hip and foot ( i was kicking the dog in the head).

I see black bears, and carry bear spray.., usually in a fanny pack that i wear in front, where I can get it very quickly.

The problem is..,I don't want to whip out the bear spray every time i see a dog coming the other way.

I want something smaller.

I was thinking of some kind of pepper spray that I can keep handy without it being too obvious.

The personal defense sprays; mace, pepper spray etc. look about right.

I just want some advice as to exactly which product I should get.

I was looking at the Fox Labs products - which would be best?

Wouldn't something that deploys in a cloud be better than a gel? The dogs are often moving very fast, and i'm not sure i could get them with a gel.

thanks.

Submitted 2026-09-13T15:06:47Z by JGF310 https://ift.tt/PRnTf0a

Did you lose the safety pin from your pepper spray?

https://ift.tt/X04WKHQ

Submitted 2026-09-12T10:37:02Z by TonyHighfinger https://ift.tt/0EHT3ks

Tactics that don't put much strain on neck and back?

I am a small young adult female, I have long term injuries on my back and neck and have to be careful with what I do, but would like to be capable of defending myself if needed. Please include details of and recommendations you have as I am not at all educated on any self defense terms etc. I need some tricks that actually work though. Thank you!

Submitted 2026-09-11T23:45:15Z by OwnIndependence1852 https://ift.tt/crkM3FZ

Did anyone faced something similar

Hi I’m a male 25 never been physically strong maybe below average I started working out in the gym 1.5 years ago but still feel I want more of my body unfortunately I faced situations where I lacked both self confidence and physical strength and I really want to start martial arts but still have doubts as if I’m gonna gain strength or not it might sound stupid but I would really appreciate if anyone have some advice

Submitted 2026-09-11T07:31:43Z by Cool_Necessary9679 https://ift.tt/3d56WDB

How to build strong mind to be able to read about tough things

Reading about gang crimes and how big it is in my country and how brown peole kill other brown people in my country. Made me very frustrated afraid and unsure. Mostly in regards to innocent cases that got caught and the perpetrators never get punished or convicted even if police know who did it. It jsut makes me realize how injustice the world is and people get away with it and idk if there is a god and it’s a hard reality to deal with makes me fear for my brothers too when they go out. All in all I feel it makes me have a weak mind that can’t handle rough topics. Sure I could keep away from it but it’s part of the world and reality and rather learn how to strengh my mind to be able to handle it so any advice ?

Submitted 2026-09-10T22:54:49Z by Ok_Drummer6347 https://ift.tt/KphlkFz

Tried to see if I would survive being attacked with a knife

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf22mrO5pdU&t=7s

Submitted 2026-09-10T15:20:59Z by StatusAd3357 https://ift.tt/arEJQV3

What self-defense skill actually saved you in real life?

If you have ever been cornered or attacked, what specific skill or technique kept you safe?

Submitted 2026-09-09T15:01:31Z by makemestand https://ift.tt/zwpHCkb

What would make a solid self-defense grappling... ruleset?

Been thinking about it lately, and I've realized every grappling martial art has some sort of issue regarding self defense. BJJ allows guard-pulling nonsense that'll get your skull caved in in a real fight, much of Judo doesn't work without a gi (+ the higher level Judokas pulling some magical BS just to not land on their back, meaning they could easily break an arm) and wrestling forgets that fights don't stop the moment you hold someone for a couple seconds, they're still gonna be fighting back and trying to bash your skull. So... what is there to do?

(In fairness, this's coming from a dude who's got minimal experience in any of this so feel free to yell at me for being a major idiot. Also these're just ideas)

• Gi-less like wrestling (and some BJJ spots)
• Allows "strikes" (not full bore bashes to the head, more like playfighting strikes), 10 would-be solid strikes that AREN'T blocked mean a win for whoever did them. Notice how I said would-be solid, since I'm not including any weak "I'm in top closed guard, my opponent's pulled me close and I'm doing weak little nothing punches just to do SOMETHING" strikes
• Good self-defense tactics like pulling someone close while on bottom closed guard get rewarded, crappy ones like pulling guard or effectively offering your back get penalized.
• Takedowns VERY rewarded, but only if you end up on top
• Getting OUT / disengaging (not from standing) rewarded plenty
• Training in tight environments often since a lotta times you're not gonna have a ton of grappling space IRL
• Points awarded 3 seconds after the fact (ex. if you land a solid takedown and KEEP top for 3 seconds, points awarded, if it's immediately reversed, no go)

(Man do I sound like a bot lmao, but whatever, yell at me all you want like I said)

Submitted 2026-09-08T17:37:49Z by Lieutenant_Yeast https://ift.tt/H509MOP

A guy keeps trying to start on me at school what do I do?

This dumbass keeps trying to start a fight with me over literally nothing. Like I don’t even know him and haven’t done anything to him and he keeps pushing me in corridors and taunting me. The other day I pushed him back on the stairs and he tried to advance on me but I walked away. I have a feeling he’s gonna start a fight properly soon, and idk what more I can do apart from knocking him down. If push comes to shove it’s what it’s gonna have to happen, but I’m not sure what to do exactly. I’m a boxer but I don’t street fight or anything like that.

Submitted 2026-09-08T16:38:08Z by Particular-Syrup4617 https://ift.tt/ON4QsYd

How to modify pepperball gun

Sadly i live in a country we're self defense is illegal and without a real firearm licens i cant even own a pepperball or Ram gun withe more Power than 7,5 joul

So my question is: Is there a way to modify an 7,5 j pepperball gun so IT hast any real Power? And what model do i need for my Projekt I saw a gun withe 35 joul online but If i try to ship IT im gonna end Up on an terrorist watchlist :(

Pls Help a man thadts trying to Not get stabbed Like my homies.

Submitted 2026-09-08T10:09:20Z by Huge_Flow_9624 https://ift.tt/8FBJVd6

Apartment Building Self Defense

Hi all, i’m 21 years old living in a converted terrace house into multiple apartment units in London, UK.

My neighbour who lives below me is quite erratic, constant in and out all night, loud music, shouting and quite threatening behaviour. My other neighbour is a drug dealer.

Just wanted some ideas of self defense tools i can use in case something happens and someone with bad intentions comes knocking. I have a baseball bat, metal 28”. What else could i use people?

I am looking into martial arts training.

Cheers everyone :)

Submitted 2026-09-07T11:33:42Z by aviieeemoon https://ift.tt/fRmcbUy

Which martial art would you recommend for a smaller man?

I’m looking to become proficient in a martial art, primarily for self-defense, but I don’t know which one to choose. I was considering Krav Maga, BJJ, Judo, or Muay Thai, as there are schools for these near my home; I even thought about MMA classes, but the ones nearby seem more like conventional kickboxing classes.

Submitted 2026-09-06T16:38:56Z by Acceptable_Worth8817 https://ift.tt/ecsoGUB

I’m 5’11 195lbs mostly muscle. How helpful is my build a w/o training

As I said in the title I’m a 5’11” 195 lb man and probably somewhere around 13% body fat.

I‘m not the biggest guy around but not exactly a little dude either. Believe me, I know first had size is not everything, and neither is strength even. I have had my ass walloped in some scenarios by guys 6 inches shorter than me and 50 lbs lighter.

I have some boxing experience from when i was a teenager. I was in a league for about 2 years so I can still throw a decent punch and have good footwork.

But it’s been a while since then. I want to know how much of a defense my size is in and of itself.

I ask since I recently went out with my girl to a club. I went to grab her water at some point and as soon as a left a guy jumped on her and started grinding. I pushed him away, but he came back and started pressing at me, but I just acted like he doesn’t exist and eventually moved on to bother some other girls.

The guy waa probably 5’9” and maybe 165lbs but of a normal build. Not particularly strong or muscular looking. If he had started trying to fight me, what would that have looked like given size and strength alone if he wasn’t trained in anything.

Would I have kicked his ass? Would it basically be a crapshoot? Would I have probably won but only through a ton of effort?

As I said, I’d like to know the optics, given that we both have 0 experience

Submitted 2026-09-06T10:18:54Z by Appropriate_Hope_383 https://ift.tt/HC2s3aY

How do I deal with the freeze response?

A few weeks back, I was with a friend and he got into an argument with someone. I'm not going to into all the details of the incident.

This guy basically pushed my friend while he was standing in front of a store and my friend yelled at him, telling him that he should've given him time instead of grabbing his elbow and moving it. This guy came up front and it turned into an argument. He threatened my friend and I stood there like a bystander. Given that he's my friend I should have butted in and confronted him about threatening my friend. But I couldn't, in the moment my heart was beating fast and I felt scared. The only thing that was going through my mind was how I can escape the situation. My voice automatically went to a low pitch and I kept telling my friend to let it be. While he kept arguing with the guy.

I feel ashamed for being like this. For being so scared and getting a freeze response. I know this is part of my biology meant to keep me safe. But I just don't like how I lacked courage in those moments. As a guy it makes your guy friends lose respect for you. I did apologise to him later on and he was chill about it. But I just feel really ashamed.

I'm someone who grew up getting bullied and physically intimidated by people. I had never been able to confront people growing up and to think that I'm in the same place makes me feel horrible. Like I'm a loser.

I had really low confidence because of this and other reasons growing up. Now I lift weights, have a good physique, have some good amount of strength but still being so scared makes me feel like I'm still weak. That I never improved.

Submitted 2026-09-05T13:13:15Z by Awkward_Implement324 https://ift.tt/30R4OMC

Understand the difference

Ok team let's do a little bit of education.

Self defence is the act of protecting yourself from harm. This starts at preventing conflict. If someone is being problematic then you avoid them and move on. Hands on should only be used when evasion and retreat are not options and should be disengaged once an opening presents itself.

Trying to stand up to a bully is not self defense and is not a good idea. Any physical conflict has the potential to escalate beyond what you are prepared for. Injuries are also not a one size fits all type of thing. Even a small broken bone can create a potentially life threatening bleed and internal trauma is often left untreated in young people.

I promise you that your high school drama is not worth what can happen if a fight gets out of control. Walk away and be the better person.

Submitted 2026-09-05T12:33:49Z by AntOk4073 https://ift.tt/lCHKp6Q