You get up, go to school or work and the day already starts badly: a group of bullies full of themselves surround you and start pushing you. If you decide to react by paying them back in the same coin and the fight is imminent, you need to know how to face your opponent. After proving your skills a couple of times, they'll know it's best to stay away.
Steps
Step 1. Take a threatening, but not too bossy stance, or you will look foolish
You don't want to give that impression, as other people will likely witness the scene. Either way, don't worry too much about what people will think. The important thing is that you manage to take the blows and defend yourself, coming out alive.
Step 2. Say a sentence that could make the opponent back down, such as “What do you want?
"Or" I don't want to fight with you. " If it doesn't seem to hear, be prepared to defend yourself.
Step 3. Speak clearly to scare bullies
Don't be shy or sound scared. Practice speaking firmly, clearly and confidently. If you can't physically beat him, you may be able to convince the people you care for about your superiority. The bully will lose a lot of power when those present question his superiority.
Step 4. Look him in the eye
Do not look away or look down. Look at it, but try not to cry. Look towards him or, if it's too difficult, focus on the eyebrows. If you get distracted, the bully could hit you and leave you in a vulnerable position.
Step 5. Distract attention
The only way to release the tension behind a possible fight, and to channel it elsewhere, is to learn to change the subject. Maybe you can make a non-threatening joke or, better yet, ask a question. It is best to focus on a topic that is somewhat relevant to your interactions with this person. If your attempt to divert attention is too obvious, it will be ignored and the tension will continue to build.
Step 6. Learn to defend yourself
Be confident in front of the bully, so that he doubts his abilities. Perhaps, if you have been repeatedly threatened or harassed by this person, you have assimilated some self-defense skills. You could say in a firm but calm tone: "Listen, I've been practicing karate for a year, I don't think it's a good idea to attack me." Then, walk away, but watch your back and, in the meantime, keep practicing some self-defense techniques.
Step 7. Tell an adult you trust, such as a parent or teacher
Unless you are new to your school, you will know how different professors react to bullying cases. First, talk to those who like you and who hate bullies. Attitudes of teachers can vary a lot, so don't talk to someone who is always too busy or who might ask you "What did you do to provoke this?" in case you get beaten. Some professors may actually believe that the bully is on the side of reason. This depends on their philosophy and that of the school on the matter.
Step 8. It is not advisable to lie about your fighting skills
For any bully it would be an invitation to fight. Try to prepare yourself to react to a possible attack, but don't brag about what you learn. Sometimes, a bully's safety can be jeopardized by the unknown.
Step 9. Smile
Act like you really appreciate what's going to happen, even if that's obviously not what you think. In general, if you look at him and smile at him, he'll think you're up to something. It's an easy way to start making him doubt. In some cases this is the trick to prevent it from attacking. If he asks why you are smiling, don't say anything. Keep doing it and gloat at the thought of having made him scared at least a little.
Step 10. Protect yourself
If you are forced to intervene in a fight and you know that you will not be able to avoid it, there are various actions that can protect you.
- Your hands should be level with your face to cover your face and protect it from a treacherous punch from the bully. Also, tense your abs in case you try to hit yourself in this area.
- Turn slightly to the side so that your body is not an easy target.
Step 11. Look behind you
Bullies usually attack in groups. Right now, you will have to fight for your life. In fact, the only rule is to survive, doing everything you can to KO them and walk away.
Step 12. Think about the consequences
You are not on a movie set. Hit the wrong person and you will have to walk around worried about how their friends will react when they see you while you shop, go to the bar or go to school. In real life, hitting someone has consequences. Don't get caught up in a situation you're absolutely not ready for.
Step 13. If the fight is imminent, act and beat as if you have nothing to lose, and make sure the scene is public
You may think you look ridiculous as they beat you in front of the whole school, but this attempt will help you get the evidence you need so that the bully is punished and your problem solved.
Advice
- If the bully has already involved you in the conflict and is trying to really hurt you (he doesn't just punch you, kick you in the face, or have a weapon), fight for your life. At some point, if you manage to turn the conflict in your favor, do not lose the advantage, end the fight in a non-fatal way, for example by breaking a bone. It sounds extreme, and it is. Consequently, this action should only be used in the event of a severe struggle. If you can beat your opponent, run away and put an end to everything. Don't freak out after beating him, adding to the dose. Once you have achieved your goal, the fight is over (this advice is very dangerous to implement; only consider it if you risk your life).
- Know the bully and his intentions. Does he want to have a laugh at your expense or does he want to hurt you? In the first case, he is probably no better than you at fights of this type. However, if he's constantly trying to get you involved in a conflict, make sure you don't let your guard down. If he's so confident, he needs to know what he's doing.
- If you can get behind him, you should try to choke him - the more he fidgets, the more oxygen he will use. This will cause him to lose control of his motor skills, allowing you to think more clearly than he does. Once you have the reins in hand, lay it out and make sure it won't bother you again. Do whatever it takes so that he remembers it.
Warnings
- If the bully is your parent (or another adult), it is more difficult to report them, because that person has authority. If it bothers you and harms you physically (for example, beats you or harasses you sexually), talk to an adult you trust.
- Make your voice heard among adults (and bullies) who think children should be ignored. But remember that not all adults support kids who report bullying. Either way, raising the issue allows you to make yourself heard. Plus, you'll have documentation that will prove you're a citizen on the side of the law (not one in search of trouble). Won't the bullies like all this? It's obvious. Don't give in to their psychological pressure. Reporting their behavior to the authorities over time will create a support network that is hard to break.
- Report bullying when you are not taking particular risks, but try to understand that it is not easy to go through this process. Many policemen, parents and teachers believe it is wrong to report other children in a school setting. And you may have no choice but to listen to them. Be completely honest when reporting bullies. It is the best way to gain the trust of those in power.
- If you report an adult, be sure to carefully explain the whole situation, including your self-defense actions. That way, when they investigate the matter better, they will know that you were being honest, instead of automatically thinking that you are a dishonest looking for trouble.
- Keep in mind that if a person touches you on purpose without your permission and without having a valid reason, it can be reported, even if the perpetrator is a child. You should tell an adult you trust unless, in retrospect, the incident was not serious at all.
- Understand self defense and know its limits. It serves to protect you. Sometimes it requires you to react by hitting the person attacking you, sometimes it requires you to run or escape from a problem in other ways. When reacting to a frontal attack, remember that you will only need to avoid being physically injured. Sometimes self-defense could unleash accusations against you (making you look like a criminal; in some cases it will be a judge to decide who is wrong). You must decide whether or not to report an attack after using self defense.
- Report emergency situations, such as attacks that pose an immediate threat to your health, life, or property in the absence of a competent adult. Call the police as soon as possible. Report instant threat-free but potentially dangerous behavior to a teacher, principal, nurse, school psychologist, or your parents. If necessary, they will help you file a report at the police station.
