After four gruelling days at Tejashwini, they share their takeaways - from how to identify an assaulter to targeting his weak points and escaping from his clutches

Myths

• Self-defence is about physical fitness: It's not. It's about mental alertness and the confidence to retaliate. It is also about correct timing and right tactics.

• You need to learn martial arts to protect yourself or a friend: All you need to know are his weak points and your strengths. Capitalise on the fact that he does not expect you to fight back.

Identify an assaulter

• Identify the touch, good or bad: Is there a repetition? If you feel someone brushing against you repeatedly and there is stiffness, beware.

• Consider the circumstances: In case of a repetition in a crowded place, when you don't feel any stiffness, chances are it could be accidental.

Attitude

• First, if possible, talk it out. Force should be the last option. You can begin by politely asking the suspect whether "all is well". He could be baffled and chances are he will push back if at fault.

• Don't challenge your assaulter. Don't abuse the assaulter and enrage him.

Know your body

• Your strengths - knees, elbows and palm: These are the body parts a woman can use to strike an assaulter in a crisis. Knees get strengthened from the time one starts crawling, elbows from when we start using them for support to sit or get up and palms from household work.

• His weakness - groin area, nose, jaws and ears: He might have held you tightly sideways or from the back or pinned you to the ground. You can escape every situation by simply using some techniques to hit these body parts, which will give you some time to escape while he recovers from the blow.

Coach's tip: If you start from the face, finish at the groin, and vice versa.

Weapons you need

• Your smile: Look at him, charm him with a smile. Simultaneously, take his hand in yours and before he can blink, use your other hand to twist a finger the wrong way. Catch him off guard.

• Your handbag: The moment you sense trouble, be alert. Remove your handbag (or backpack) from your shoulder, take it in one hand and strike (or throw) on the attacker's face when he is close enough.

By the time he recovers from the shock, clinch him, elbow his spine and finally use your knees to hit his groin at least thrice.

• Hairpin or pen: Use it to prick his face or the side of the neck repeatedly in quick succession. It is sharp enough to pierce the skin and seriously injure the attacker.

Survival tactics

• In public transport (auto/metro/bus): If a passenger sitting next to you with his hands crossed tries to grope you, discreetly cross your hands too. Grab the hand that is groping you and simultaneously use the other elbow to hit his chin hard.

• Domestic violence/attempt to rape: If you find yourself pinned by a man trying to choke you, here's what you should do:

• Use both your arms to loosen the grip

• Lock any of your legs into his and use the opposite hand to push his shoulder hard to make him tilt towards the side of the leg-lock

• The moment he falls, mount on him and take control

• Use your fist and elbow to hit and hammer his face

• Stand up quick, hold his legs and kick him hard between the legs

• In a public place: If you are groped from behind in a crowded place...

• Bend forward, push your back towards your tormentor, giving him the impression that you are interested

• The moment he comes closer , bend down, use both your hands to grab one of his feet and pull. The man will lose balance and fall on his back

• In an elevator

• Press the switch for the immediate floor

• Tolerate the abuse for a few seconds. Do not react but discreetly take out a hairpin or pen

• As soon as the door opens, put a foot forward to prevent the door from closing. Chances are he will try to pull you back. Turn around and stab with the pen or hairpin several times

• Grab him by the neck and use your knees to hit his groin

• Run out of the elevator immediately

Hit and run

• Strike in a flash and run

• Try not to scream while striking. Save breath to shout for help while your assaulter is still down

• Run and escape before he recovers and rises