Join the first ever Ultimate Women’s Self-Defense Retreat. Learn more here: https://www.usdchampionship.com/wsdc-retreat
In this video, I’m joined by self-defense expert and lifelong martial artist Amber Hoover to break down the difference between effective and ineffective women’s self-defense.
We discuss:
• Common self-defense myths
• What actually works under pressure
• The importance of realistic training
• Awareness, avoidance, and decision-making
• Why confidence alone is not enough
• The difference between techniques that look good vs techniques that hold up in reality
Amber shares her years of experience teaching practical self-defense and explains what women should truly look for when choosing training.
Whether you’re completely new to self-defense or already training, this conversation will help you better understand what practical self-defense really means.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Sadly, what she described in Women's Self Defense in the beginning of the video, is a reality in all martial arts right now. Monetization has been prioritized over Authenticity and Utility amongst many Coaches and Gyms, and systems, unfortunately. Genuinely though, Self Defense is a Difficult and Life Long pursuit for anyone who wants to be, and remain, effective. Man or Woman.
This was all well informed and well explained. I always tell to women around me that ask about self defence to focuss on trusting their awarness, be prudent, don't be in stupid places with stupids people. If it come to physical altercation, understand what the aggressor want, if he wanna grap you fight the grip, if he wanna punch you get away, if he want something like money or phone give it away, if he wanna get you somewhere else as in an abduction, don't go there. Nothing to do with magical techniques 1-50. It takes 5-6h of training a week for it to make a difference and MAYBE evem the field for size difference.
I think thos is very helpful and important, Amber's perspective is quite enlightening and more nuanced than other instructors. I think it would also be interesting to think or even share safety strategies from the point of view of violence perpetrators or potencial perpetrators, I mean, What techniques can we all as guys use not only to de-escalate conflicts but also to provent having ourselves violent reactions against others?
That front choke especially is a dominating tactic. It's not very useful as an attack (unless the victim is on their back on the ground or against a wall their head can be slammed against), but is often used in rage to control or intimidate someone (who is usually smaller). So anything can stop it, but you have to practice with a big ass dude really shoving and screaming in your face so you learn to react under real pressure (even if the attack is weak). But honestly in a real aggressive front choke, that arm over thing probably won't work (not guessing–we've tried it with zero even remotely successful defenses), It's actually amazing how effect just fighting back (eg: hit, pull their hand off, move your head, etc–just basic human movements) and learning it's ok to fight back is for avoiding/escaping grabs. I make it a game in class, and people get competent quickly by being able to play and make mistakes safely without having to "learn" anything.
Just a thought: there might be no such thing as women self defense. There are fighting skills and there are violence dynamics. Some kind of violence dynamics apply more often to women, but they're not gender exclusive. And very often women are in a fight with disadvantages in regards to size, mass and strenght. But again, this is not per se gender specific.
So, learning violence dynamics and getting better at fighting under pressure is in essence the similar for all genders.
Am I wrong? What do you people think?
(By the way: excellent video here by the three of you!)
Amber seems to have a deep understanding of the biomechanics and the situation settings. I didn't know her prior to this video, I 'm quite keen on learning more about her approach of self-defence. Talking about Instagram or Tik Tok videos, I have seen some woman self-defence "coaches" suggesting that the obvious move when being pin to the ground during an aggression is a… triangle choke. 🧐 Without mentioning how much technical training, physical conditioning, flexibility are required to master that move and have the nerve to perform it during an aggression. 🤯
Amber has excellent points . One thing that strikes me as interesting is the desire to stray from a system. Of course a fight isn't limited to a system, but by the end of the video she begins formulating what could amount to flowchart based system. It's easier to learn and communicate in that way, which is why it is so common. If a system is dynamic, a la her flowchart, it would fit her other outlined criteria quite well IMO.
All said and done, love the video, love the discussion, love the focus. Thank you Amber, Gabi, and Rokas. Here's to more awareness of dynamic situations before they arise and how to be prepared to process a changing physical information landscape.
I myself am a woman, quite a small one too. Train quite a bit since a child. When my friends or people I met talk about self defence classes they have taken, I ask them to show me.
Its NEVER legit techniques, nevermind the total lack of constant training or stress testing.
I have to confide in them that if they are not willing to take up martial arts, they're best hope is to scream and be loud and hope someone intervenes. Something I would be doing anyway as a life long practitioner of Judo and boxing among other sports!
When you were announcing and hinting at WSDC the name that I kept thinking of was Amber. I couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t on the contestant list… and her being the judge is the best reason!
Estás jodiendome? Se empeña en hacer una temporada de mujeres QUE NADIE PIDIÓ para que antes suba un vídeo criticando la defensa personal para mujeres? Esto ya es escupir en la cara a uno y reirte
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Join the first ever Ultimate Women's Self-Defense Retreat. Learn more here: https://www.usdchampionship.com/wsdc-retreat
Sadly, what she described in Women's Self Defense in the beginning of the video, is a reality in all martial arts right now. Monetization has been prioritized over Authenticity and Utility amongst many Coaches and Gyms, and systems, unfortunately. Genuinely though, Self Defense is a Difficult and Life Long pursuit for anyone who wants to be, and remain, effective. Man or Woman.
This was all well informed and well explained. I always tell to women around me that ask about self defence to focuss on trusting their awarness, be prudent, don't be in stupid places with stupids people. If it come to physical altercation, understand what the aggressor want, if he wanna grap you fight the grip, if he wanna punch you get away, if he want something like money or phone give it away, if he wanna get you somewhere else as in an abduction, don't go there. Nothing to do with magical techniques 1-50. It takes 5-6h of training a week for it to make a difference and MAYBE evem the field for size difference.
I think thos is very helpful and important, Amber's perspective is quite enlightening and more nuanced than other instructors.
I think it would also be interesting to think or even share safety strategies from the point of view of violence perpetrators or potencial perpetrators, I mean, What techniques can we all as guys use not only to de-escalate conflicts but also to provent having ourselves violent reactions against others?
That front choke especially is a dominating tactic. It's not very useful as an attack (unless the victim is on their back on the ground or against a wall their head can be slammed against), but is often used in rage to control or intimidate someone (who is usually smaller). So anything can stop it, but you have to practice with a big ass dude really shoving and screaming in your face so you learn to react under real pressure (even if the attack is weak). But honestly in a real aggressive front choke, that arm over thing probably won't work (not guessing–we've tried it with zero even remotely successful defenses), It's actually amazing how effect just fighting back (eg: hit, pull their hand off, move your head, etc–just basic human movements) and learning it's ok to fight back is for avoiding/escaping grabs. I make it a game in class, and people get competent quickly by being able to play and make mistakes safely without having to "learn" anything.
The few self defense classes I went to, they teach us to defend if they go for the throat like in the video.
I wonder how often people are really attacked like that, seems almost comical.
Awesome stuff!
Appreciate the work you’re doing 👌
Just a thought: there might be no such thing as women self defense.
There are fighting skills and there are violence dynamics.
Some kind of violence dynamics apply more often to women, but they're not gender exclusive.
And very often women are in a fight with disadvantages in regards to size, mass and strenght.
But again, this is not per se gender specific.
So, learning violence dynamics and getting better at fighting under pressure is in essence the similar for all genders.
Am I wrong? What do you people think?
(By the way: excellent video here by the three of you!)
yesssssssssssssssssssssss
Loving the female self defence video!
Amber seems to have a deep understanding of the biomechanics and the situation settings. I didn't know her prior to this video, I 'm quite keen on learning more about her approach of self-defence.
Talking about Instagram or Tik Tok videos, I have seen some woman self-defence "coaches" suggesting that the obvious move when being pin to the ground during an aggression is a… triangle choke. 🧐 Without mentioning how much technical training, physical conditioning, flexibility are required to master that move and have the nerve to perform it during an aggression. 🤯
LET'S GO THAT'S MY BOY ROKAS WITH ANOTHER BANGER SELF DEFENSE VID 🗣️🔥
(now let me watch the actual video)
Amber has excellent points . One thing that strikes me as interesting is the desire to stray from a system. Of course a fight isn't limited to a system, but by the end of the video she begins formulating what could amount to flowchart based system. It's easier to learn and communicate in that way, which is why it is so common. If a system is dynamic, a la her flowchart, it would fit her other outlined criteria quite well IMO.
All said and done, love the video, love the discussion, love the focus. Thank you Amber, Gabi, and Rokas. Here's to more awareness of dynamic situations before they arise and how to be prepared to process a changing physical information landscape.
People tend to forget how effective a head butt to the attacker's face can be at close quarters.
commenting because rokas is the man for the algo. keep up the good work sir!
When I teach self defence, I personally inflict violence on smaller and weaker bystanders to make sure that they are prepared for the real world.
Just doing my part.
she can not help u from pure voilence..
i see allot of talking,
and no action
Very Krav Maga ish. Not necessarily a bad thing (other than the internet loves talking 💩 about it.)
With a lot of mindset added.
I myself am a woman, quite a small one too. Train quite a bit since a child. When my friends or people I met talk about self defence classes they have taken, I ask them to show me.
Its NEVER legit techniques, nevermind the total lack of constant training or stress testing.
I have to confide in them that if they are not willing to take up martial arts, they're best hope is to scream and be loud and hope someone intervenes. Something I would be doing anyway as a life long practitioner of Judo and boxing among other sports!
When you were announcing and hinting at WSDC the name that I kept thinking of was Amber. I couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t on the contestant list… and her being the judge is the best reason!
Estás jodiendome? Se empeña en hacer una temporada de mujeres QUE NADIE PIDIÓ para que antes suba un vídeo criticando la defensa personal para mujeres? Esto ya es escupir en la cara a uno y reirte