Edmond Martial Arts Instructor Shares Self-Defense Tips

After two reported sexual assaults on University of Oklahoma campuses, many are beginning to take their safety into their own hands.

Tools such as pepper spray are always a good idea to protect yourself in a scary situation, but those tools are not always available.

A martial arts studio in Edmond shared tips on what to do if you find yourself in one of those situations.

Jessica Headley, a kickboxing instructor at Killer Bees Jiu Jitsu, said combat sports can be useful as it helps to know what your body is capable of and trains both reflexes and stamina.

"If someone has your shirt and you're stuck, grab their wrist," Headley said. "You are going to grab as close as to their grip, pull down [and] throw their wrist at the same time and while you have that control, you can throw a strike before you run away."

Headley said to strike at an attacker with the knee, or an elbow paired with a relaxed fist. Striking with a closed fist increases the chance of personal injury to your own hand.