Do you think a lot of women over estimate how effective a "kick to the balls" is when it comes to self defense?

Question

I've met some girls who will go out alone at night. When I ask them if they're worried about their safety and what they would do if a man assaults them, they say "I'll just kick him in the balls".

>:(

And it seems like a lot of women think that guys having that week spot means that it's effortless for them to incapacitate a guy. The problem is that if you tried that, he could block it with his leg (although self defense training can help circumvent that). This is just my opinion but I do think the notion of a kick to the crotch gives a lot of women a false sense of security and they needlessly put themselves in dangerous situations because of it.

Do you think a lot of women over estimate how effective a kick to the balls is when it comes to self defense?

GabiBB · Accepted Answer

Well, a kick to the balls is obviously very effective. That's why it is one of the most common moves in krav maga and every self-defense class.

But you're partially right because a kick to the balls is not as easy as it sounds. If you have no fighting experience, you have to be really lucky to beat a man with that, because all men instinctively guard the balls all the time, it's their weakest point.

And because of the adrenaline, it is possible that the man does not fall with just a simple kick on the balls. So, in some situations, just that single blow won't be enough to escape.

But it is very effective and it is not uncommon to see news of women who have escaped rape, assault or kidnapping with a kick to the testicles.

Example 1: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/6892639/stephen-beveridge-rape-girl-13-edinburgh/

Example 2: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/teenage-girl-punch-genitals-sexual-assault-stop-16-year-old-male-suspect-oklahoma-city-andres-rivera-a7764521.html

Example 3: https://wjla.com/news/local/woman-kicks-rapist-in-testicles-poolesville

Anyway, it IS effective, obviously. But it is not as easy and magical as it sounds.

BlueScorpio · Accepted Answer

Yeah I think a lot do. one you have to be up close and personal for it to work, he could have a gun or knife or just be really good at blocking attacks. There could be multiple men that help him. You never know, in this day and age it makes me angry to se women still going out aline at night thinking nothing is ever gonna happen to them. If you have no choice, fine but if someone can walk with you or give you a ride then take it. Only tines I walked alone at night is when I'm getting off work to go straight to my car and it's right across rhe street where other people are crossing or can see hear me.

MelvinGeek · Accepted Answer

It is very effective against most men, but you're absolutely right that no one should feel so complacent, even if armed to the teeth with self-defense weapons.

Because, aside from being able to even land a hit (and often you'll only get one chance) you'll never know when you'll run into a very desperate criminal who is mentally unstable and/or pumped full of drugs. It may be rare, but then again you only live once and all it takes is one bad day.

Think about why police officers are trained to shoot an attacker, center mass, and NOT stop shooting until they collapse to the ground. Because if the criminal is desperate enough, they won't stop trying to get to you even if you empty a magazine into them. Sometimes they're just too drugged up to even register pain.

Also... there's the question: What if there are multiple attackers?

NathanDavis · Accepted Answer

because of sports and sparring, and well... being kicked in the nuts quite a few times, I could say that yes, it might not be as effective coming from someone that doesn't have much experience or "momentum" to go with... lol

but, it is case by case scenario

pepper spray would work much better

pepper1993 · Answer

My mom explained it to me like this once, Kicking a guy in the balls is like carrying a gun. It's a weapon you have available to you, but you should be trained in how to use it effectively. Sure if you get attacked you can fumble with the gun, point it in the right direction and bam, run away. But what if the gun jams, what if your first shot misses, what if he's to close, etc.. Same as kicking a dude in the balls. Sure it'll work most times, but there's going to be a time where it won't work for a multitude of reasons. That's why you should have at least some sort of formal training in self defense. I've been taking it my entire life, and I can prob count on 1 hand the number of guys that didn't go down like a sack of rocks after I hit them down there, and even still I have no plan on stopping. You always learn something new that can help get you out of a bad situation.

And obviously I'm talking about situations in which your life/body/liberty is in some sort of danger here. I'm not saying you need to take SD classes to kick your brother or some annoying kid at school or some creep at a club. But even then it couldn't hurt.

WendyLoe · Answer

It would be a mistake to both overestimate but also underestimate a 'kick to the balls'. It is the same with a gun, it may safe you in a dangerous situation but also not, depending on the situation and circumstances. Does it mean a gun is not a useful weapon? First, like with anything else, you need to learn how to use it properly. I read a news article about a young woman and she defended herself from a potential rapist by a well executed kick. The rapist ended up in hospital and lost one of his testicles. According her story, she used distraction first, he unwisely opened his legs and she delivered a well placed toe kick right into his ballsack. She said she learned (and practiced) the move in her college self defense class among other techniques such as 'grab twist and pull' and 'testicle squash' She might as well be told an effectiveness of a groin kick is low, forget it and she should just avoid dangerous situations or scream and run when necessary. I think lucky she wasn't. Testicle vulnerability are an equalizer between women and men and it would unwise not to use it, as well as solely rely on it.

RosieMelts · Answer

Like I always say.. fear of death doesn’t end a life. Death ends a life. Death can happen at any time, but doing dangerous activities shouldn’t be avoided, if they’re life-thrilling, and somewhat healthy.

Avoiding such activities due to fear is nonsense, and letting life slip you by. Be mentally strong and quick to problem solve in certain situations. Be prepared for the worst.

Women shouldn’t avoid certain situations because of a threat of a male attacker, and her estimation on his weakness shouldn’t be their first resort of reason.

They have the right mindset to be lively, they just need to prepare themselves and not
underestimate the male anatomy or psyche. They should be prepared for multiple scenarios.. or otherwise prepare for rape/ death.

Its brutally honest, I know, but gotta keep important matters as simple

as possible. 👀👍

Sandeeppingping · Answer

I have sparred too many times and been hit there accidentally twice, I can tell you with complete assurance that in a life threatening situation I wouldn't give a single shit about getting kicked there, you feel like your balls have a soul and it's leaving your body, so in a sparring session you just stop it because it's not safe and illegal, but if I was kidnapping someone and they hit me there my adrenaline and my will would be too high for me to care, it's like dudes getting shot in the heat of the moment and not realizing how bad it is until 20 minutes later...

cheeky_starfish · Answer

In my martial arts class girls tend to rely heavily on kicks to the groin to win their sparring matches against guys, especially if they are losing and are getting knocked around badly. I guess in a ‘real life’ situation it can be more chaotic, violent and sudden, which could make a groin strike far more difficult to land, but a “kick to the balls” is incredibly effective and devastating if landed full contact and accurate. I don’t think any girl should just blindly assume that they can incapacitate any guy with a groin kick in any situation, but obviously with some martial arts training where groin strikes are allowed, this would help them greatly to escape from any guy trying to bring harm upon them.

Smoke-n-Growls · Answer

Yeah.

Sufficiently trained, drugged, or drunk men may not be stopped by a kick to the groin. Mind, if you break his pelvic bone it doesn't matter how high his pain tolerance is, his body won't have the structure to pursue as efficiently.

I sometimes go out late at night, but I'm always aware of my surroundings, let friends know where I am, and try to keep exit routes in mind. It's just what I do to help myself feel better.

Personally, I wouldn't rely on a groin strike to take down a man attacking me. Or, rather, I wouldn't rely solely on it. I'll be trying to break knees, break nose, concuss - do everything to get away. A kick to the balls is a bonus at that point - and if I don't bust one, what's the point?

It's important for women to recognize there's a limit to a ball tap's efficiency. If she's really under threat, take off the kid gloves.

Shadowrunneruk · Answer

I think you're right, in a sense.

It's not a guaranteed knockout thing but 99% of guys will REALLY struggle after being kicked there.

Although there was a recent case where a woman kicked a man in the nuts in the UK and was charged with grievous bodily harm as the man can't have kids any longer (I think that was about 5 years ago) but that was her attacking him, not the other way around.

Honestly? You don't even need to hit us that hard there for us to keel over in pain- so it's definitely effective. Any guys who don't start mewing in agony on the floor afterwards are probably inhuman and utterly terrifying. Definitely run if that happens!

NamerOfStars · Answer

Absolutely. A small, easily-shielded target that the guy KNOWS is vulnerable? Yeah, you're going to have a hard time even connecting. It's also not the self-destruct button many women seem to think it is; a solud hit will probably hakebprospective rape off the menu for a few hours, but it won't stop him beating the stuffing out of you. And if he's armed, you're just asking to be killed.

The main purpose of groin attacks ir martial arts isn't testicular impact, but pelvis-breaking. THAT will stop an attack, but is WAY more difficult.

There's a REASON that martial arts classes aren't just endless crotch-kicking.

OneManOnly01 · Answer

LISTEN TO ME CAREFULLY!

It’s definitely effective but only when you can land it in the first place and you may not be able to land it if he’s expecting you to attack.

NOW THE IMPORTANT PART! I will recommend every girl to remember this one move... a headbutt. Just tell the guy to calm down and pretend like you are going to agree to what he says and then be as close to him as possible and BANG! Hit his nose with the top of your forehead (where the hairline begins)

AND! Do NOT use your neck to drive the headbutt, use the power of your torso to drive and generate power into your headbutt.

jshm2 · Answer

Yeah, they watch too many soaps and Hollywood movies.

The reality is that unless you are positioned correctly, you will not hit anything. Even worse, an assailant will catch your leg and pummel you in self defence. The court will then charge you with assault for hitting him. Despite him wanting to rawdog your sweaty ass.

Also, iron crotch exercises are something most martial artists and athletes these days engage in anyway. So a kick to the crotch isn't going to do much damage.

To be fair, I always recommend people, scared about security to attend at least one self defence class. Not only to dispel myths, but also to learn what tactic works best for your skill set.

We don't need guns for self defence here in the UK. We're capable of talking down most geezers.

Katie1964 · Answer

Self-defense, anything goes. Take advantage of any weakness. But I mean real self-defense like your are in danger of being raped; not I am mad and having a hissy fit.

That being said, you are better off avoiding a situation to begin with, don't be in sketchy places. Because men are bigger, stronger and tougher than women. Try to call for help from another man to even the odds.

Besides there are better things to do with a guys balls.

RedStiletto88 · Answer

Well there are other things that we can do to defend ourselves for example gouge his eyes , bite, if wearing heels then stomp on his feet or anywhere else.

I think most of us are well aware men will try to protect that area. But if I stomp on both his feet with heels he might be inclined to move his hand then I can knee him in his balls as hard as I can, and keep going until he is not a threat anymore.

macjets007 · Answer

I wouldn't rely on that. If your state allows you to have a firearm, then take advantage of it. It's not as if the predator is going to give you much notice, face you from the front, and then not be the 1st one to be violent.

If not a firearm, get a defense flashlight that stuns people with how bright it is, pepper spray, learn some self defense, and you'll be good as well.

I know people think it is so crazy for a women to own a gun, but why make yourself vulnerable? Get a small concealed weapon if it bothers you to the point that you are posting on GAG about it. No reason to not feel safe.

bolverk · Answer

It is a truly dangerous move for a woman to make, because to do it right the element of surprise has to be there, and women telegraph the hell out of it, a cross block or turn to the side negates it, and if a cross block is used by the man it usually includes the the woman's leg being grabbed which then puts the women in an extremely vulnerable position in which the man can just hold her there and embarrass the hell out of her, or if he's feeling belligerent he can sweep her support leg and drop her to the ground while still retaining control of the other leg.

Also If the guy sees the kick coming don't expect him to just stand there, when a simple hard push from a men will have women sitting on their arses, we as men are brought up learning to control the strength we have, women have no idea how much damage an man even a small one can inflict if the need arises.

Po1989 · Answer

Yes it's possible to take out an attacker with a kick to the balls... If you land a perfect blow there it's pretty much guaranteed. But it's not always that easy to execute in real life. A lot of men will assume a woman is going to try to hit them there in any fighting scenario so they will defend their groins well. Even if you do land a hit, the blow might not compress the testicles in the most effective way to drop an attacker. Plus, what if you are attacked by a woman? You always need more ideas than the groin strike only.

saffoler · Answer

I think the problem is that they overestimate how easy it is to do that in a life threatening situation. Blocking or parrying a kick isn't that difficult in a fight. Plus what if he is wearing protection? The best defense is avoiding high risk situations. Next is having the best self defense weapon for women, a handgun.

laraWM · Answer

To be honest I've never felt that way and I don't know anyone who thinks that.
I think we usually hear it more often from guys when we say we don't feel comfortable in some places or at night.
And I think if a girl says it, it is more to laugh at something worrying

Lionman95 · Answer

I´d say yes because unless the guy is drunk or tired he probably can defend himself against that quite easily also by stepping aside for example. I would rather advice a woman if happens in a city to shout or make loud noises or yell at a guy so that there is a chance other people hear and help her.
Or alternatively bring something where like pepper spray because kicking a guy in the nuts isn´t going to work if he is in shape.

tony_baloney · Answer

I've actually hurt my groin so many times that a sackual assault doesn't hurt as much as it used to... I also split the head of my dick open when I flew over/into my bike handlebars when I was a kid. I dont think any sack attack has ever hurt as bad as that did x. x

raven6933 · Answer

Although this was a guy who did this he got knocked out before the pain set in. I was playing around with a female and accidentally nailed her. It wasn't hard or malicious intent but she dropped like a rock. That being said. Never raise your feet off the ground unless you are 100% garenteed that you won't end up looking at the sky or worse. Looking at the ground. It's a tacky move and is almost always expected.

Do you think a lot of women over estimate how effective a "kick to the balls" is when it comes to self defense?

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