Belts – Improvised Self-Defense Weapon
In a self-defense situation, some martial artists practice using a belt as an improvised martial arts weapon. In addition, these martial artists may also practice with other “everyday” self-defense items that people might commonly carry or wear (such as canes, women’s high heel shoes, umbrellas, etc).
It is hard to take off a belt in the middle of a fight. Therefore, martial artists often practice taking off their belts in advance of any trouble (i.e. upon seeing a group of potential attackers approaching or dealing with potential attackers who have begun with verbal harassment and who might escalate the situation).
Belts can be utilized in the following manners:
- Swing the belt and strike the attacker with the belt buckle.
- Use the belt like a whip in order to create stand-off distance.
- Wrap belt around a fist in order to shield & pad the punching or blocking hand.
- Use belt like a rope in order to restrain or entangle attacker.
Belts can be used like traditional martial arts weapons such as the Kusari Fundo. Students should only practice martial arts self-defense techniques under the careful supervision of a trained martial arts instructor.
Belt as a Self-Defense Weapon