This particular technique is designed to facilitate escape from an attacker who is close to you, has you cornered or is grabbing hold of you. We are going to use an innocent everyday object, a pen, to manipulate the attacker through what is known as a "pain compliance" technique.

Grab the pen in your fist with a little sticking out of either end, ensure that your thumb is pushing down firmly onto the pen as it sticks out. Now push up under the attackers chin, thumb first. Dont worry if the pen slips a little, your thumb tip will still cause the head to jerk backwards. This alone can give you the valuable seconds you need to get away quickly, or drive a leg up into the groin area. If you need to take someone to ground then as soon as the head jerks back bring down the other end of the pen into that soft area just below the adams apple, behind the top of the chest plate. Continue to drive down the pen into this spot using all your weight and your attacker will drop to their knees. You can do this with just your thumb and middle finger but it would take some practice. Using a pen means you just have to find the areas to strike without worrying about hand positioning. Once on their knees you can continue to manipulate the head by pushing the pen (thumb end) into the soft areas under the chin/throat directing the attacker in whatever direction you want.

The underlying principle of this technique is wherever the head goes, the body will follow.

There are many other areas that you can target depending on the situation such as ribs, throat, eyes, inside of the thigh etc. This technique is one of many and I will be writing other articles that highlight other useful ideas and techniques. If you are concerned with your safety you should find a competent self defence instructor and get a course designed for your needs. Do NOT go to a martial arts class as these styles often follow rules of engagement/competitiion. You need something entirely different to protect yourself in a real situation.