The Most Effective Self-Defence Technique In The World

Krav Maga News, Training

The most effective self-defence technique in the world is little-known and extremely simple.

If I told you there’s a self-defence technique that works in various situations—whether someone is bigger, stronger, or a better fighter than you—and it’s effective for almost everyone, almost every time, you might think I’m exaggerating.

You’d probably expect some nonsense about no-touch knockouts or pressure points. But this is a legitimate technique. I’ve used it in real life. I teach it at all my self-defence workshops and seminars.

But first, let’s take a little trip.

This technique shines in sketchy environments, like parking lots, where people often feel the most vulnerable. So, I thought, where’s a better place to demonstrate it than a typical parking lot?

Whenever I host Q&As or seminars, especially with women, parking lots come up a lot. They often mention seeing someone suspicious and feeling uneasy, which is how these self-defence situations tend to begin.

The problem is, as humans, we’re prideful, and we don’t want to seem rude. These two traits can land you in trouble in a self-defence scenario.

First, we like to have the last word, to solve things, and for people to agree with us. Second, we hesitate to act if we’re unsure someone’s a threat because we don’t want to appear paranoid or weird.

This technique, which I’ve already mentioned (spoiler alert), isn’t about something extreme like tearing someone’s throat out. But it’s also not some overly simplistic approach where “there are no real techniques.”

The truth lies between the two: techniques based on solid concepts and principles.

I call this technique, “Oops, I forgot something.”

There are a few variations, and I’ll walk you through them quickly.

The “Oops, I forgot something” move is simple. You’re walking, and you suddenly stop as if you remembered something important. It’s a move we’ve all done. You’re not actually looking for anything, but it gives you a reason to change direction, which is key. You could also check your watch or even pull out your phone—these are other variations.

The most effective self-defence technique

These effective self-defence techniques allow you to disengage from the situation without seeming strange or making things worse. One of the biggest mistakes people make, which I don’t understand, is confronting the suspicious person.

Many people do this, and you might be guilty of it, too. In every assault or robbery report I’ve read in these types of situations it always starts with, “I had a weird feeling about this person, but I went towards them anyway.” Silently, or sometimes not so silently.

Selling the act is key. You must act as if you’ve truly forgotten something: “Where did I park? Oh, I forgot something inside.” You don’t want to stand out because we’re all wired to avoid drawing attention.

If you sense someone suspicious, and this has happened to me —people waiting by my car—don’t engage. Instead, pretend you’ve forgotten where you parked or act as if you need to tie your shoe. Take your time to assess the situation, and then casually head back inside.

No harm was done, no one was offended, and most importantly, you stayed safe. You might have just saved your life or at least avoided a confrontation.

Parking lots are inherently risky because they’re what John from Active Self Protection calls “transitional spaces.” They’re prime spots for trouble, especially places like Walmart parking lots.

In fact, some even have tent cities nearby, like the one right here. Homeless people aren’t necessarily criminals, but in certain areas, transient populations can contribute to crime. That’s something to keep in mind.

The best part about this technique? It doesn’t hurt anyone. Sure, it might sound cool to rip someone’s throat out, but let’s be realistic—that’s not happening.

So, take this scenario: a student of ours, let’s call him Dan, was leaving the supermarket with his child. Dan notices a guy dressed inappropriately for the weather—he’s wearing a tank top in the freezing cold. Dan’s gut instinct kicks in.

Trust your intuition. It’s one of your most powerful weapons. Almost every crime report I’ve written started with the victim sensing something was off before the incident.

Dan noticed the suspicious guy walking in front of him and his child. Another man was also moving in sync with them, both clearly focused on him. Now, someone unfamiliar with these situations might think Dan was overreacting, but that’s not the case.

Dan made a smart decision by turning around and heading back into the store. As he did, he noticed another woman walking out. He warned her about the men, and she confirmed that one of them had followed her into the store earlier and left without buying anything.

So, follow your instincts. If you’re unsure whether to confront someone or make eye contact, it’s a judgement call. Every situation is different, and there are a lot of factors to consider. But in most cases, using “Oops, I forgot something” will get you out of a bad situation without escalating it.

This doesn’t just apply to parking lots. You could be in any setting where things are becoming tense. Just say, “Oops, I forgot something,” and leave. The person will likely sit there waiting for you to return, but you don’t have to. You’re not obligated to find out if your suspicion was right.

Trust your instincts. You don’t need to have the last word, and you don’t have to confront anyone.

I’ve heard this kind of story many times, where someone came out of a business, saw someone in their car, and approached them asking, “What are you doing?” only to be attacked. I personally know two people this has happened to.

You don’t need to put yourself in that situation. If you see someone going through your car, there’s no need to confront them. Whether they run away on their own or after an attack, you don’t have to get involved. Just head back inside and let them go.

Avoiding a confrontation is a valuable and effective self-defence technique. Don’t forget it.