Ready Stance: Hands are up
in a "Soft Guard" Position

Your feet should be shoulder width apart. The leg you favor to kick with will be placed approximately the length of your foot behind the other, as demonstrated in the side view. This type of self defense move will be the launching pad for any needed techniques of basic self defense.

Arms should be bent up with your hands facing out. This Soft Guard Position is a protective stance that is non-threatening. If your fists were clenched than you would be telegraphing your intentions, and any verbal communication between you and a possible threat would be less effective.

The non-kicking leg is called the support leg, and it should be slightly bent at the knee with the foot firmly flat on the ground. You should feel relaxed and well balanced moving your body slightly forward, back and to the sides. Practice this stance before moving on the Partner Drill.

This fun type of drill is popular in our Women's Self Defense Workshops.

To see if you are really relaxed and balanced in this "soft guard" stance, your training partner will walk around you a few times gently pushing and pulling to see if you can remain in your protective stance position. If your leg muscles are too stiff you will easily find yourself off balance, moving your feet around to compensate.

When you can demonstrate your flexibility by maintaining your balance through the gentle pushes and pulls, and think you have mastered this game, than take this Training Drill and important basic self defense move to the next level.

The partner in the Ready Stance will now close their eyes. Again, the other training partner will walk a few times around their partner in this ready position and gently push and pull from different angles. To maintain your balance you will have to learn to bend and flex with your legs and body to remain in the Ready Stance.

This fun type of women's self defense drill will teach you a sense of balance with your body. Finding a good Partner is a great way to learn the basic self defense moves and physical skills in a fast, fun , and safe atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation.

Before moving on to the next section called
Self Defense Moves , the illustrations and vital information on these pages will allow you to learn and understand how effective you can be in a assault situation. Situations where you would need self defense moves and techniques in basic self defense to overcome a threatening encounter.

| Self Defense Moves | Self Defense Introduction |
| Ear Slap Partner Drill | Ready Stance |