Imho, unless a person trains a lot in these self-defense moves, they're not going to be something you can rely on when fear turns your mind to mush and your body to concrete. You must train body and mind to the point where you don't have to think about what to do.

I doubt many women would have much chance against a male attacker with bare hands and feet. Most street fights that last more than a second or two wind up as grappling matches and go to the ground. Throwing an elbow or punch from six inches away can be a challenge. If you can get an arm free, it may be more effective to put your hand alongside his head and stick your thumb in his eye. Don't be gentle about it; try as hard as you can to gouge that eyeball right out of its socket.

When I was young and strong, and would go out drinking with a rowdy crowd, we'd sometimes get in barfights just for the sport of it -- one of the things that wild, untreated hypomania can lead you to. I practiced boxing and karate too.

Now that I'm middle-aged and getting decrepit, and treated with meds, I don't feel so invincible. I don't kid myself that I'd have a good chance against a big, young male attacker. Especially since they usually seem to come in twos or threes when they jump you on the street.

I now carry a handgun for self-protection. If you're comfortable with guns, know how to shoot and handle them safely, and are always aware of your gun so you don't leave it lying around where a kid might get it, that's what I'd strongly recommend to a woman who wants to be able to defend herself.

I don't care how good a woman is at martial arts, if she has to go up against a guy like a football player, who's used to ignoring pain and has a neck like an oak tree, she won't have much of a chance.