In this exercise an approaching attacker is to be stopped by means of talking and body language. If this is not successful, the defender kicks before the attacker can touch her.

Stage One

The students divide into pairs. Partner A stands with her back to the wall. B approaches her from a distance at usual walking speed. When A has the impression that B shouldn't come any closer, she tells her to stop, expressing herself clearly and using an unmistakable body language. She may, for example, say loudly "Stop!" with one hand stretched out as shown on the picture above. The students should choose the words they would use in everyday life according to their age and social situation.

Defining the Situation

Our feeling for distances depends on various circumstances: for example the place we are, the other persons involved, the time of day. So it is useful to define the surrounding situation exactly, for example this way: "It is late afternoon, you are alone at a bus stop. There are only few people in the street. A man, about 25 years old, is walking towards you..." Or the students make up the situation themselves.

Body Language

Parter A´s body language supports her demand: she is standing firmly and upright, making eye contact with B and keeping a serious expression.

When A has finished, B will do the exercise.

Stage Two:

B approaches as before, now holding a body shield. At the demand of A, B doesn´t stop. So A chooses the right distance for kicking and kicks against the body shield at groin height.

Immediately after that she runs away.

If the students work without body shields, A kicks
beside the body of B or just gives an idea of the kick
without finishing it.

If B has already got so close that A can´t kick anymore,
A can defend herself by kneeing or by a punch to the face.

Variation of the exercise

The students are saying or calling "Stop!" in various ways: starting with a calm and decisive demand up to shouting at the attacker. Setting the Techniques