Building Fences

A fence surrounds an area, shows you want to keep people away, and, when an unauthorized person breaches it, you may take reasonable action against them legally. A self-defense technique know as the fence acts in a similar manner.

Guard versus Fence

Guard: a guard is when the arms and hands are held in a defensive manner that allows you to use them to deflect or block an incoming attack quickly and deliver your own attack quickly. A problem with the guard is that, to most people, it could be construed as threatening, so it should only be used against an imminent threat. The guard is discussed in more detail in another topic.

Fence: a fence is when the arms and hands are held in nonthreatening manner that still allows you to be prepared for an attack, to deflect or block an attack quickly, or to deliver your own attack quickly. Open hands with the fingers spread appear less threatening than closed fists, but the hands still form a barrier between you and the attacker.