8 Types of Self-Defense Training

Learning how to protect oneself is essential as you never know when you may find yourself in a position where you would need to do just that. With the proper training, you could defend yourself in most situations. Self-defense training includes a wide range of options, including firearms, martial arts, boxing, and wrestling.

Even something as simple as carrying a canister of pepper spray can be sufficient to remove yourself from a dangerous situation. No matter what type of self-defense you decide best suits you, it is vital that you are properly trained and that you practice regularly.

1. De-escalation

The number one factor in any self-defense training is learning how to avoid a conflict in the first place. This is why it is essential to develop skills in situational awareness and de-escalation. The more aware you are aware of your surroundings, including other people in your immediate environment, the easier it can be to see when trouble is coming your way.

If you do encounter a problem, it is not always necessary to go straight to your self-defense techniques. Knowing how to take a potentially dangerous situation and redirect the negative emotion into a calmer state can turn a crisis into a much safer situation for everyone involved.

2. Firearms

Firearms are the most effective type of self-defense. However, with infrequent practice and training with a professional, using a firearm can be potentially dangerous to yourself and others. For example, your attacker could quickly overpower you, take your gun, and use it against you.

As you can imagine, finding yourself in a situation where you must defend yourself can be very tense. You can feel anxious, nervous, and even afraid. Even with regular firearm training, you can experience these emotions and feelings.

Yet, with regular training, you will have the skills to calm yourself, think clearly, and use your gun to defend yourself against your attacker. Most importantly, your objective is to disable the attacker so you can make your escape.

You should never attempt to subdue them or hold them until the police arrive. Your life is more important, and it should be your first priority to get away. You can contact the police afterward once you are safe and secure.

In addition, you should always follow the four rules of gun safety, as follows:

• ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
• Treat every gun as if it was loaded and the safety was off.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
• Be aware of your target and your surroundings, including what is behind and near your target.

Practice your self-defense skills with your gun at The Range702 in Vegas with our one-on-one training sessions. Schedule your training today. 

3. Krav Maga

Krav Maga is a form of martial arts developed for the Israeli military for self-defense in close combat situations. What makes Krav Maga a good choice is it does not have the strict rules you will find with other types of martial arts.

Instead, Krav Maga focuses on the opponent’s weaknesses and which areas of the body can disable them. For example, throat strikes, eye-poking, and groin strikes are all part of Krav Maga since it was created for situations where someone in the military could find themselves having to choose between life and death.

The objective of Krav Maga is to disable the attacker and neutralize them so that you can escape to safety. Krav Maga training also includes learning how to potentially de-escalate situations without having to use physical force.

So, even if a gun is your top choice of self-defense, having a backup plan with some other form of training, like Krav Maga, can be equally beneficial.

4. Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed martial arts (MMA) uses a wide range of martial arts disciplines to provide a well-rounded form of self-defense. You will know how to deal with situations using the appropriate martial arts and techniques to defend yourself, disable your attacker, and make your escape safely.

With MMA, you may not be proficient in one partial area of martial arts since you combine different forms. However, you will know enough with your regular training to be able to defend yourself using your skills.

While it is not essential to do so, learning how to combine Krav Maga with MMA can bring added benefits. When you know the self-defense skills taught with Krav Maga and a wide range of martial arts training, you can save yourself when put into a situation where anything could happen. The more skills you are trained in, the more options you have.

5. Jiu-Jitsu

Jiu-Jitsu is another form of martial arts training that focuses on self-defense. It incorporates Judo and various grappling arts to teach you how to take down an opponent. While Jiu-Jitsu stresses the end result — the takedown — it is still very effective for self-defense. By learning all the ways that it is possible to achieve a takedown, you develop a variety of techniques and skills to defend yourself. For example, all it takes is landing the hand in the right place to put your attacker on the ground. Once they are down, then you can quickly make your escape to safety.

6. Muay Thai

Muay Thai is also known as kickboxing. This form of martial arts is well-suited for close-combat situations to defend oneself from an attacker. Muay Thai incorporates all eight limbs with the principle of using one’s fists, feet, elbows, knees, shins, or other body parts to strike an opponent.

The distance between you and an opponent is a vital factor in any martial arts discipline. Muay Thai teaches skills that take these distances into account. Whether it’s a knee strike when you are right against your opponent or a roundhouse kick from a few steps away, the skills you learn can be used no matter how close you are standing.

7. Wrestling

When we think of wrestling, it often conjures images of high school competition or brightly costumed professional characters. Wrestling, however, can be an effective form of self-defense. Although it mainly involves grappling skills, it can also be applied to non-competition situations. Learning how to put an attacker off balance using various takedown skills could be all you need to catch them off guard and make your escape.

8. Boxing

Boxing is much more than learning how to throw a punch to knock someone out. It also incorporates footwork and self-defense techniques to avoid your opponent’s punches. Additionally, the footwork you learn can help you become more agile and quick.

Furthermore, being able to get in a few good punches can catch your attacker off guard and make it possible to put them down to give you the opportunity to make your way to safety.

What are the best martial arts for self-defense?

In addition to the martial arts we mentioned, there is also Judo, Karate, Sambo, and Taekwondo. While all of these forms of martial arts can be beneficial for self-defense, the most effective ones are Krav Maga and MMA or combining the two forms for the ultimate defense.

Therefore, it is best to be familiar with a wide range of martial arts skills you could use to defend yourself when necessary.

What is required to be able to carry a handgun in Nevada?

Nevada law allows you to openly carry a handgun or other firearm, meaning it must be visible to those around you. However, when you want to be able to legally conceal the weapon, you need a Nevada Concealed Firearms Permit.

In order to apply for a Nevada Concealed Firearms Permit, you must pass a class approved by the Nevada Sheriffs & Chiefs Association which includes instruction on firearm safety, Nevada law, and a live-fire qualification.

The CCW Classes offered by The Range 702 are approved by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and you can book the class online. If you’re ready to apply for a Nevada CCW permit, book our CCW class now!

Why do you need to practice self-defense regularly?

It is one thing to know self-defense skills and another to know how to apply them should a dangerous situation arise. Without regular practice, you lose your edge with the skills that you have learned. As a result, you may come up short when you need to defend yourself.

Furthermore, regular practice with a firearm ensures you are conditioned for any recoil or muzzle flip and that when you need to fire your gun, you will be able to hit your target. In addition, regular practice with martial arts, wrestling, and boxing ensures your muscles stay conditioned, you have flexibility, and you can stay balanced when you need to use your skills.

Handgun Self-Defense Training Near Me in Vegas

At The Range702, we offer conceal carry permit courses, one-on-one gun safety courses, and tactical self-defense training. You can even try out different handguns at our gun range in Las Vegas before you buy one to determine what type of handgun is best for you. Then, when you want a bit of fun, check out our Las Vegas machine guns you can shoot at our gun range.

Get your concealed carry permit at The Range702. Enroll in our concealed carry permit class today. 

Sources:

Krav Maga for Beginners: 10 Things You Need to Know. (2021).

Sensei Max. (2022). What Is Jiu-Jitsu?.

What Is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA): A Beginner’s Guide. (2022).