In a street fight, using obstacles in your environment can be a powerful tool for self-defense. Here are some tips on how to quickly find and effectively use obstacles: **Awareness and Observation** 1. **Keep Your Head Clear**: It is crucial to stay calm and focused in a street fight. Scan the environment for objects that can be used as obstacles or self-defense tools. 2. **Identify Potential Obstacles**: Look for objects that can be used to distract, hinder, or knock out your opponent, such as: * Outdoor furniture (benches, trash cans, bike racks) * Garden or building materials (stones, bricks, planks) * Vehicles (if you are in a parking lot or near a road) * Lighting fixtures or wires * Bicycles or skateboards 3. **Assess the Attacker**: Observe the attacker's movements, distance, and attack methods. This will help you determine what type of obstacle is needed to effectively defend yourself. **Barrier Exploitation Techniques** 1. **Use an Obstacle to Separate the Attacker from You**: Place an obstacle between you and the attacker to create distance and create a gap. 2. **Create a Distraction**: Push over or drop an object to create a distraction and draw the attacker's attention, giving you time to escape or fight back. 3. **Keep your attacker off balance**: Use obstacles to make your attacker lose balance or trip, such as pulling a chair out in front of them or tripping over their feet. 4. **Immobilize your attacker**: Use obstacles to immobilize your attacker, such as pinning them to a wall or the ground. 5. **Use a makeshift shield**: Pick up a lightweight object, such as a trash can or bicycle, to protect yourself from your attacker’s blows or kicks. **Environmental Awareness and Self-Protection** 1. **Be aware of your surroundings**: Be aware of potential dangers around you, such as puddles, broken glass, or other dangerous objects. 2. **Keep a safe distance**: Keep a safe distance as much as possible to avoid being grabbed or hit by your attacker. 3. **Be prepared to defend yourself**: Be prepared to defend yourself, as your attacker may try to go around or overcome obstacles. 4. **Use obstacles as a last resort**: Use obstacles as a last resort to defend yourself, if other methods (such as running away or calling for help) are not feasible. **Bonus Tips** 1. **Trust your instincts**: If you feel that a situation is wrong or could be dangerous, trust your instincts and get away as soon as possible. 2. **Stay alert**: Always stay alert in potentially threatening situations, keep your head on a turn and your eyes scanning the environment. 3. **Consider self-defense classes**: Taking a self-defense class or training can help you improve your situational awareness and response strategies, including the use of barriers for self-defense. Remember, in a street fight, it is vital to prioritize your safety and well-being. If possible, try to leave or call for help, depending on the situation.