There is a counter move for every move. Most elbow strikes are defense moves and not offensive strikes. A good defensive move should also be a good offensive strike. Deflecting and not causing pain to the attacker is only delaying the attack. The eyes are probably the best area to attack. Even if you only flick the eyes the attacker will flinch and blink. Most men will protect the groin so you need to loosen them up before you go to that area. Slapping both ears at the same time or an eye gouge both thumbs into the eyes. While your hands are there grab the back of the head. Pull the head; nose to your knee or knee the groin.
Anywhere the head goes the body follows. Strike your foot below the knee and run hard down the shin bone. There are so many ways to defend, but it is hard to explain them. The key is to know what to do before you need to do it. It has to be a reflex. If you have to stop and think it can be too late.
My best advice is take a women's self defense class. Know your surroundings at all times. Most people who attack look for someone that they feel they can overpower easily. Head high, don't look down, look around, be confident, let people know that you are aware and not an easy target.

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A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

Carry rolls of quarters or steel ball bearings in the bottom of your purse. The weight works very well if you have to hit someone in the head or face with your purse. I know it for a fact. You can break an attacker's nose and knock him out with it. *nods*

Oh, and they're not considered "weapons".

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LOL! Melva's should be!! Compact little thing weighs more than my hand weights!

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Exactly! Bash the sucker in the noggin with it and drop him like a stone.

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LOL! She could KILL someone with that thing!

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Ladies may I suggest a flare gun for personal protection?
(1) it is not prohibited in any state as it is a safety device
(2)to my knowledge most companies do not include them in prohibited items policy
(3) they will do damage to an attacker if you hit them with flare, and if you miss most likely it will blind the attacker giving you a distraction and route of escape

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yes tarps is right with very good instruction... I took a self defense class....we not only learned thses manuvers but we also were taught to be aware of the sounds going on around you while you are involved with something else...also we were taught how to walk with our keys in our hands......when I am on the truck I leave my diamonds at home and wear a plain silver band.....I also take my truck key with me every time I walk into the TS at night......alone.....I do not carry a purse into the TS.....walk like you are sure of yourself........and look around and see what is there......oops just read the rest of what he wrote....the same stuff.....

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let freedom ring

******retired homeschool teacher*******
Revolution is brewing

I am competitave. I play to win. I see no point in doing something for "fun". America was founded by competitive people. I will NOT give up the American dream! May God bless the USA.

Just go for the soft tissue areas, top of foot, knee, groin, throat, eyes, it doesn't take too much to pop a persons knee out and when their knee cap is down around their ankle it doesn't matter how big they are or even if they're high their leg wont work. If you're able to knock them down run as fast as you can in the direction of help don't stick around. The key thing is good too but don't use it as a stabbing motion more like a slashing motion across the persons chest or if grabbed from behind then try stabbing the person in the eyes with them over your shoulder, even if you don't get them in the eyes it's still going to hurt like hell. I look forward to the day when women don't have to worry about garbage like this happening to them but unfortunately I don't think it's coming anytime soon.

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While I disagree with what you say, I will defend to the death your right to say it.

It takes about 27 lbs of force to blow a knee cap. Not a good target for someone not trained in taking a knee out.

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A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

That's true, but everyone is talking about elbow strikes like it's the easiest thing in the world to do, you have to be too close and the guy grabbing a woman is most likely going to be bigger than her and more than likely will overpower her. I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier but why not just carry your mag light into the truckstop with you it makes for a pretty good attitude adjuster and you can always say you have it so you can check your pin when you get back to the truck lol

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While I disagree with what you say, I will defend to the death your right to say it.