I began my martial arts and self-defense training over 23 years ago. Early in my journey I recall reading about how to use shoes to defend against a knife attack. The idea was simple...1) take off your shoes, 2) place them on your hands like gloves , and 3) use them to block the knife attack and to counter attack. I thought to myself...”could it really be that simple?”. At that time I knew very little about real self-defense so I thought this advice made sense. Obviously the shoes would provide adequate protection for the hands to deflect or strike the knife away without risking serious injury. That's a good thing, right? The shoes would also reinforce the defender's strikes which would result in more effective strikes with less effort. Another good thing, right? While this all sounds good, the reality is that it's all based on theory rather than practical application. While there may have been someone somewhere in history that was able to successfully pull their shoes off and use them to fend off a knife attacker, I personally wouldn't bet my life on this actually working. 

Unfortunately, there are instructors out there that teach another use for shoes as self-defense tools. Instead of promoting their use in knife defense as previously described these careless instructors promote the idea of women using their shoes as striking implements. This is particularly geared toward women that wear high-heeled shoes. The idea is simple 1) take off your high-heel shoes 2) strike out at vital areas of the attacker's anatomy such as the eyes and 3) run away. Sounds like solid advice, right? Wrong!

There are a number of reasons why the above advice is not only wrong but just plain dangerous.

Not easily accessible- While almost everyone can be found wearing shoes on a daily basis, this doesn't mean they will instantly be available for use as self-defense tools. The last time I checked, I wear my shoes on my feet and since I use my feet to stand, walk, and run the of act of removing my shoes while being attacked will be extremely difficult to do. In order to remove my shoes I will have to perform one of two actions- 1) I will either have to sit down in order to avoid falling over or 2) I will have to maintain balance while trying to remove my shoes from a standing position. Here's the catch, regardless of which option I choose I will have to perform the action while someone is brutally attacking me. Doesn't sound too smart, does it?

Clouds the mind- Unfortunately, stupid tactics like removing shoes and trying to use them for self-defense clouds the victim's mind and greatly increases their risk of injury or death. How so? Simple...because tactics like this are so esoteric or out of the norm that people will remember them. This is far from a good thing because the last thing a person should be thinking about is how they can get their shoes off while they are in the midst of a real attack. While they are thinking about how to get their shoes off (or actually trying to get their shoes off) the attacker is striking, kicking, stabbing, or shooting them. The reality is that the only thing this advice does is increase the dangers to the intended victim. 

 

Not the ideal self-defense option- The truth is that shoes are designed to protect the feet while walking, running, etc. This being the case we should use them to quickly move away from the person or persons that intend to harm us, rather than wasting valuable time trying to remove them for use in self-defense. There are other tools out there that are better suited for use in self-defense than shoes. Many of these items are of better construction and more easily accessible for defensive purposes. One such tool that quickly comes to mind is the standard ball-point pen.

Now, all of this being said I am a big proponent of Improvised weapons, which is the use of personal and environmental objects for self-defense. Obviously shoes would fall under this category. To be honest I have no objection of a shoe being used for self-defense if it's the only thing available and IF it's not being worn at the time. As an example, if someone is being attacked in their home and a shoe is the only thing within immediate reach, by all means they should use it to save their life. However, as I already pointed out there is a good chance that other more suitable items will be readily available in these cases. If nothing else, the aggressive use of the hands to target weak spots on the attacker's anatomy will be a better option. If someone really feels the need to use shoes for self-defense, my suggestion is to keep them on your feet and kick the attacker viciously and repeatedly until the threat is over. Ladies, if you are wearing high-heels feel free to kick your shoes off to aid in your escape but don't waste time trying to pick them up or use them to strike with, unless you are already on the ground and they are easily accessible without additional risk.

In closing, I just read about the tip in question being taught to a group of women less than two months ago which is what prompted this posting. Unfortunately, the program was presented by a well-known organization that truly believes they are providing life-saving information to those that need it. I ask the reader to use logic and common sense when trying to evaluate some of these tips and techniques. Even if it makes sense on the surface, ponder it a little while and you may just realize that it's nowhere near as sound as you first thought. Keep in mind that there are many unsound and even dangerous tips being taught out there. Some are being promoted by law enforcement while others are being promoted by martial arts and self-defense instructors. Regardless of an instructors background or experience, they may not realize the danger in some of these techniques. Unfortunately, if the instructor doesn't realize the dangers how can the students be expected to?

This is the very reason that I started the posts on Self-Defense Blunders....

Take care and stay safe!

Steve Zorn, ICPS

www.personalsafetyunlimited.net