50. Reasonable Force in Self Defence

“Martial arts teaches us confidence, respect, and self-control. If a bully ever bothers you at school, the first and smartest choice is to stay calm, speak firmly and confidently, and try to walk away or get help from a teacher.

In Australia, the law and police say we are only allowed to use ‘reasonable force’ to protect ourselves. That means we can do just enough to stop ourselves from being hurt and to get to safety - nothing more.

We don’t fight back to win, punish, or get even. We only protect ourselves when there is no other safe choice, and we stop the moment we are safe.

A true martial artist always chooses safety, respect, and responsibility first.”

Examples of using Reasonable Force:

1. Being Grabbed by the Shirt

“If someone grabs your shirt and won’t let go, you can use a simple martial arts move to break the grip and step back to safety. That’s reasonable force because you’re only doing enough to get free—not to hurt the other person.”

2. Block and Move Away

“If someone tries to hit you, you can block the strike and quickly move away to a safe place or towards a teacher. You’re protecting yourself, but you’re not chasing them or fighting back. That’s reasonable force.”

3. Holding to Stop Harm

“If someone is pushing you to the ground, you might use a gentle hold to stop them from hurting you until a teacher arrives. You’re not punching, kicking or choking them — you’re just keeping yourself safe. This is still reasonable force because it stops when the danger stops.”

Cobra Martial Arts & Fitness Centres - Personal Development Program - 1991.