If your opponent refuses to strike first, just walk away. Expect to be in serious trouble if you hurt your opponent, even when they started it. Many schools have a zero-tolerance policy on violence, and will suspend or expel both kids involved in a fight.
Some schools call the police for even the most minor fights or other public displays of anger like punching lockers or throwing things. In some states, the same laws apply on or off school grounds, if there is proof that the fight began at school. You will be in trouble with the school, and the police as well.
Federal law requires public schools to expel any student who brings a firearm to school for at least one year. [2] X Research source More than half the students who are expelled in the US each year were expelled for bringing a weapon to school. [3] X Research source
Avoid places where a teacher is likely to see you. Appoint a lookout to let you know if someone is coming.
Avoid taking shortcut through dark or isolated areas, especially by yourself. Be sure your parents and friends know your usual schedule, so if you are attacked someone will notice that you aren’t where you’re supposed to be. Don’t be distracted by your phone if you are walking alone, and don’t wear headphones. Be alert to all the sights and sounds around you.
Try to avoid being in situations where you will be alone with a bully – walk home with a friend, and eat lunch with a group. [5] X Research source Don’t take the bait. Sometimes if you ignore a bully, they will get bored and leave you alone. It’s usually best to speak up and answer a bully. If a bully thinks you are weak, he or she will try to take advantage of it by being even more aggressive.
Learn to control your own temper, so you won’t lose control when you feel threatened. If you find yourself alone with a violent person, sometimes it helps to just agree with them until they calm down. You don’t have to actually agree with them – just tell them what they want to hear. If someone is taunting you, distract them by saying something like, “Is that the bell?” or “I think that was my phone. ” Then calmly walk away. If a bully is being really persistent and won’t let you leave, tell them you will meet them after school. You don’t need to actually fight them, you are just trying to buy yourself some time.
Tell your teacher or a someone in the office what happened, so they know you actually did your homework. Tell a parent or guardian when this happens, so they can make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Interrupt them. Say something like, “Sorry, I need to make a phone call,” and walk away before they can stop you. Offer to continue the conversation after class – they may have forgotten you and moved on to something else by then. If you know you can pull it off, smile and act amused. The last thing a bully wants is to be embarrassed in front of his friends.
Every time the bully asks a question, reply by asking her to explain herself. (“Why do you believe that?” or “What makes you think I did that?”) Be careful not to lose your temper or come across as sarcastic, as this will only make them angrier.
One out of every 5 high school students in the US reported being bullied at school in 2013, and 1 in every 6 has been bullied online. [9] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Five percent of US students missed a day or more of school because they did not feel safe from a bully.
Allowing a bully to get away with it will just encourage them to become more violent. Parents and teachers will be able to come up with a plan to fix the problem without letting the bully know that you are the one who told on them.
Cover can be distance – if you can remove yourself from the situation, your attacker can’t get to you. Plan your escape route in advance. Cover can also be a physical barrier, like getting to a bathroom or supply closet and locking your attacker out.
Make a fist and swing upward, hitting your opponent’s nose squarely with the heel of your hand. The upward movement carries a lot of force, and is easier to pull off than a boxing-style punch. Kick your attacker’s knee by using your foot in a horizontal stomping motion. Be sure to take aim first, and strike suddenly before they expect it. Use the instep of your foot or your knee with as much force as possible to connect with your opponent’s groin with an swift, upward motion. Alternate your strikes between face and body – when your opponent goes to protect one vulnerable area, they will leave another area open to attack. [13] X Research source
If you underestimate your opponent he or she may catch you off-guard, and hurt you. You are far more likely to get caught if you are reckless – you won’t pay enough attention to your surroundings and witnesses.
