Close-Range Strike - What Is It?
Hello and welcome to this month’s edition of Power News from Power Up with Lisa!
Your ultimate resource for learning powerful self-defense techniques, building lasting confidence, and sharpening everyday awareness. Each month, we bring you tools, tips, and inspiration to help you stay safe, strong, and fully powered up—because staying safe isn’t optional, it’s essential.
💪 Why Self-Defense?
It’s not just about knowing techniques—it’s about being alert. One of the best ways to avoid danger is to stay aware of your surroundings. Whether you’re walking to your car, waiting for a bus, or moving through a crowded area, make sure you’re paying attention to the people around you and any potential hazards. Avoid distractions like texting or wearing headphones, which can prevent you from spotting threats early.
🎯 Focus of the Month
What strike is powerful, close-range, and highly effective when you’re caught in a tight situation?
👉 The Elbow Strike
When you find yourself in close quarters with an attacker, the elbow strike is one of the most powerful techniques you can use. It’s especially useful if you’re too close to throw a punch, or if you’re grappling or being held.
How to Perform an Elbow Strike:
- Start in a Fighting Stance: Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands up in a defensive position.
- Chamber the Elbow: Pull your elbow back (like you’re about to strike someone behind you) while keeping your other hand up to protect your face.
- Strike with Power: Drive your elbow forward and slightly upward toward the target. Aim to use the point of your elbow against areas like the attacker’s head, chin, or ribs.
- Follow Through: After impact, recoil your elbow quickly back into stance—ready for the next move.
Why It’s Effective:
- Powerful: Generates maximum force in a short distance.
- Versatile: Can be delivered from multiple angles—front, side, or even behind.
- Close-Range: Works when punches and kicks aren’t possible.
- Targets: Effective against sensitive areas such as the face, neck, ribs, or solar plexus—causing pain and disorientation.
🔦 Community Spotlight
Terror in Broad Daylight: How One Teen Turned Fear into Power
In a harrowing incident captured on surveillance video, an 18-year-old woman in St. Augustine, Florida, narrowly escaped abduction thanks to her quick thinking and refusal to give up.
On June 29, 2025, the young woman—identified as Emma—was working at a retail store when 31-year-old Theodore Tundidor allegedly entered, committed a robbery, and then violently attempted to drag her into his pickup truck in the parking lot.
As the shocking video showed, Emma screamed for help, fought back with all her strength, and ultimately broke free from her attacker’s grasp. A bystander intervened and called 911, forcing the suspect to flee.
Law enforcement later located him after a high-speed chase. He was arrested and now faces multiple charges, including kidnapping, robbery, grand theft auto, DUI, and fleeing law enforcement.
Authorities commended Emma’s courage, noting that her instinct to fight, scream, and resist played a vital role in her survival. Her story is a powerful reminder of how situational awareness, assertive resistance, and the will to fight back can make all the difference in a life-threatening encounter.
What Made It So Chilling—and Empowering
The video captured the sheer terror of the moment: a young woman being dragged by a stranger toward a truck. Yet Emma’s quick thinking, vocal resistance, and refusal to submit turned the tide in her favor. Her actions exemplified the "do everything right" approach—scream, fight, and attract attention.
The sheriff’s office praised her bravery and referenced guidance from the Women Against Violent Encounters program, emphasizing the power of situational awareness, mental preparation, and assertive defense strategies.
🌟 Build Confidence. Protect What Matters.
Imagine walking into any situation—on campus, at work, or simply out for a walk—knowing you have the skills to protect yourself. That kind of confidence changes everything.
The Foundations in Self-Defense Online Course was created to help you feel stronger, safer, and more in control of your life.
Inside you’ll get:
✅ Real-world skills that anyone can use
✅ Short, powerful lessons you can fit into your day
✅ Lifetime access so you can return whenever you need a boost
For a limited time, it’s just $49—a small step that can make a life-changing difference.
👉 Claim your spot today and start your journey to feeling safe, strong, and powered up.
🔥 Quick Action Question
True or False: You can only defend yourself if the attacker strikes first.
Answer: False.
You don’t have to wait to be physically struck to defend yourself. If you reasonably believe that an attack is about to happen, you may be legally justified in using force to protect yourself. This is called preemptive self-defense, and it’s allowed under the law when there’s a clear and immediate threat to your safety. The key is that your response must be proportionate and based on a genuine perception of danger.
🔗 Stay Connected
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Thank you for being part of the Power Up community! Together, we’re not just learning self-defense—we’re creating a movement of empowered individuals.
Stay Safe. Stay Strong. Stay Powered Up!
