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Reading Time: 8 minutesLast Updated on June 5, 2025 by Paul Clayton
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Learn From 6 Free Self Defence Courses Now
There are many reasons you may consider self-training. Budget is usually one of them, but the main reason is the absence of gyms, fighting schools, or dojos nearby that allow you to learn from professionals.
Key Takeaways:
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- Online Resources for Free Self-Defense: Platforms like Alison, Udemy, Krav Maga Worldwide, Warrior Women Strength, and Nick Drossos’s tutorials offer free online courses and resources covering various self-defense techniques, situational awareness, and de-escalation.
- Limitations of Self-Training: While online resources provide valuable information, practical self-defense training primarily benefits from the feedback and guidance of a qualified instructor to refine techniques, prevent injuries, and understand dynamic responses.
- Beyond Techniques: True self-defense involves more than just physical moves; it encompasses mindset, preparedness, and understanding the psychology of violence.
- Practical Self-Defense Principles:
- Prioritize Escape: The primary goal in self-defense is to escape unharmed, not to “win” a fight.
- Simplicity Over Complexity: Focus on mastering basic, high-impact techniques (e.g., simple strikes to vulnerable areas) as fine motor skills diminish under stress. Avoid complex moves, such as joint locks or high kicks, in real-life situations.
- Stay on Your Feet: Avoid takedowns and grappling, as the goal is to create space for escape.
- Physical Fitness: Cardiovascular fitness is essential for escaping, and basic strength training helps with striking.
- Skepticism and Testing: Be critical of online advice and test techniques to determine their real-world effectiveness.
- Instructor Quality Matters: A good self-defense instructor focuses on practical applications, escape strategies, and the psychology of conflict, rather than just sports-oriented techniques (like high kicks or extensive grappling).
- Last Resort & Legalities: Physical self-defense should be a last resort. If legal, carrying a concealed firearm is often considered the most effective defense, but unarmed skills are still crucial.
So, in that case, can you learn self-defense for free? Join us as we explore the need for self-defense education and discover the hidden avenues that offer invaluable knowledge without emptying your wallet.
Free Self-Defence Courses
The truth is that few platforms, except the internet, will allow you to learn self-defense for free. Fortunately, the online space offers numerous free platforms to equip you with self-defense skills.
Most free self-defense training resources are available on renowned platforms, such as Alison, Udemy, and Krav Maga.
Whether you’re a beginner or seeking to advance your proficiency, these courses offer exercises, quizzes, projects, video lectures, and certificates upon completion. So, you can dive into these complimentary self-defense classes to gain practical knowledge and skills, regardless of your experience level.
Here are some of the free self-defense courses available online:
1. Alison Self-Defence Course
Alison is a big educational platform that offers free learning and skills training. If you’re 
interested in self-defense, Alison has free online courses that cover everything you need to know to defend yourself effectively and safely.
Their courses teach techniques for both armed and unarmed defense and guide students on when using self-defense is appropriate.
It covers both armed and unarmed defense methods, focusing on recognizing situations where self-defense is acceptable. The course accommodates learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.
Completing this course can help individuals gain a sense of security and learn how to protect themselves and others effectively.
Alison provides practical strategies and simple defensive techniques that can help you counter common attacks. That means you’ll learn how to escape a chokehold while launching a counterattack, as well as how to defend yourself and regain control of the situation.
2. Udemy’s Self-Defence Essentials
Udemy, a renowned online learning platform, hosts a variety of self-defense courses, including the popular “Self-Defence Essentials” course. This course provides participants with fundamental self-defense techniques, emphasizing practicality and effectiveness.
Through video lessons and demonstrations, learners will gain knowledge of situational awareness, body language, basic strikes, escapes from familiar holds, and other essential skills.
Udemy’s self-defense courses provide a flexible learning experience, enabling individuals to study at their own pace.
3. Krav Maga Worldwide’s Online Training
Krav Maga is another popular and practical self-defense system emphasizing real-world scenarios and instinctive movements.
Krav Maga Worldwide offers free online training resources, including instructional videos and articles, to help individuals learn this self-defense system from the comfort of their homes.
The online training encompasses a range of techniques, including striking, grappling, and self-defense against various types of attacks. With its practical approach, Krav Maga equips learners with the necessary skills to defend themselves in real-life situations.
4. Warrior Women’s Strengths: Empowered Self-Defence
Specifically designed for women, Warrior Women Strength offers a free online self-defense course called “Empowered Self-Defence.” This course empowers women with practical skills and techniques to enhance their safety. The course covers various aspects of self-defense, including assertiveness training, situational awareness, verbal de-escalation, basic strikes, and effective self-defense tactics.
Warrior Women Strength’s course aims to create a supportive environment where women can learn and grow in their ability to protect themselves.
5. Self-Defence Tutorials by Nick Drossos
Nick Drossos is a self-defense expert who provides free self-defense tutorials on his YouTube channel and website. His instructional videos cover a wide range of self-defense topics, including self-defense for women, street fighting techniques, and self-defense against common attacks.
With his engaging teaching style and practical demonstrations, Nick Drossos offers valuable insights and techniques that can be easily learned and implemented. These tutorials provide individuals with accessible resources to learn self-defense skills and enhance their safety.
A Capable Instructor is Essential for Training
The truth about learning self-defense or learning martial arts is that it’s not something you can effectively do on your own. Initially, everything you do will likely have flaws.
You may unknowingly hurt yourself while making a fist or move inefficiently due to a lack of knowledge. Most martial arts training involves receiving feedback from a teacher to refine your skills and make them practical.
Without this feedback, your progress will be limited.
It’s also worth noting that there is almost always an alternative to fighting. Therefore, you can go a long way in educating yourself about violence and how to avoid it in the first place. It’s incredibly valuable.
Response to a situation can determine whether or not you need to defend yourself. A significant aspect of self-defense lies in your mindset and taking preventive actions.
Otherwise, martial arts focus on dynamic responses to others. It revolves around the ability to react and respond to another person’s actions. This kind of training cannot be effectively done alone.
What You Can Do:
Get physically fit, with a primary focus on cardiovascular exercises. This will help you escape if needed and give you a significant advantage in combat.
Learn how to hit and hit with force. Find a punching bag and use wrist wraps to protect yourself. (Important note: punching incorrectly can hurt your wrists and knuckles, so learn proper technique and protect your wrists until they’re stronger.)
Start practicing powerful swings and work on combinations. Your technique may not be perfect, but it’s essential to experience the feeling of hitting something.
Find a training partner. Training with others allows you to try techniques you can’t practice alone. They may also suggest ideas you haven’t considered and motivate you to train. Remember, safety should always be a priority.
Approach advice with skepticism. There’s a lot of misleading advice on the internet. So, it’s crucial to be cautious. By default, assume that advice is likely incorrect until you test it yourself and determine if it works. Test everything thoroughly before relying on it entirely.
How Effective Are Self-Defense Classes?
The effectiveness of self-defense classes varies. Based on my experience, most martial 
arts and self-defense classes can teach you valuable skills, but may lack practical application.
Anyone who has spent years practicing martial arts will tell you it’s not as simple as following set techniques for specific attacker actions. You need to develop a mindset for self-defense, learn preparedness, and understand the psychology behind it. Practicality is key.
Firstly, high kicks are not recommended for self-defense. Any self-defense teacher suggesting high kicks should be avoided. Kicking, in general, may not be the most practical option.
It’s better to stay on your feet and maintain balance. Avoid instructors who focus on takedowns and grappling. Your goal in self-defense is to escape, not necessarily win a fight.
A good self-defense teacher should guide you on the most practical ways to stop your attacker and create an opportunity to escape.
If you find a reliable teacher, their guidance can be beneficial. However, it may not be worth your time if they emphasize kicks and grappling. Remember, sports fighting and self-defense are not the same.
Learning techniques to counter a larger and stronger attacker is possible, but they don’t guarantee success. However, it does increase your chances. If it’s legal in your area, carrying a concealed firearm is often considered the best self-defense option.
While learning martial arts can be enjoyable and help improve fitness and muscle strength over time, most martial arts are not focused on practical self-defense.
They may teach you proper punching form and defensive stances. However, for practical and realistic self-defense, the emphasis should be on stunning the attacker and immediately seeking help by running and yelling.
Regardless of your unarmed self-defense skills, a person with a knife can inflict a life-threatening injury by chance, targeting vital organs or arteries.
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to Ando Mierzwa
The best way to keep yourself safe is to avoid confrontations whenever possible, although it’s not always an option. The most effective approach is learning self-defense.
It is essential to learn practical self-defense techniques, either through free resources or in a classroom setting, to protect yourself in the event of an attack by an aggressor.
There are several ways you can learn self-defense for free. Here are a few options:
- Online Resources: The internet offers a wealth of free self-defense resources. Websites, blogs, and YouTube channels dedicated to self-defense provide instructional videos, articles, and tutorials that can help you learn basic techniques and self-defense principles. Look for reputable sources that focus on practical and realistic self-defense approaches.
- Community Centers: Check with your local community centers, libraries, or recreational centers to see if they offer programs or services for seniors. They often provide free or low-cost self-defense classes as part of their community programs. These classes may be led by instructors or volunteers passionate about promoting personal safety and self-defense skills.
- Local Events and Workshops: Look for self-defense workshops or events in your community. Organizations, martial arts schools, or self-defense trainers sometimes offer free introductory workshops or seminars to promote their services. These events can be an excellent opportunity to learn basic self-defense techniques and sample different styles.
Self-Defense Apps: Some smartphone apps provide free self-defense training and guidance. While these apps may not replace in-person training, they can offer valuable tips, demonstrations, and interactive features to help you learn the basics of self-defense. - Social Media and Online Communities: Engage with self-defense communities on platforms like Facebook groups or forums dedicated to self-defense. You can connect with experienced practitioners willing to share their knowledge and provide guidance. Participating in these communities allows you to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others.
Remember, while free resources can help you learn the fundamentals of self-defense, it’s essential to recognize their limitations. Hands-on training with a qualified instructor is invaluable for developing proper techniques, receiving personalized feedback, and simulating real-life scenarios. If you’re serious about learning self-defense, consider investing in formal training or attending paid classes for a more comprehensive and structured learning experience.
Final Thoughts
While numerous free online resources offer valuable introductory knowledge and techniques for self-defense, adequate mastery significantly benefits from professional instruction and practical feedback. True self-defense prioritizes avoiding conflict, de-escalation, and, when necessary, employing simple, high-impact techniques to create an opportunity for escape. It emphasizes mindset, preparedness, and realism over complex martial arts moves, underscoring that the ultimate goal is survival and safety, not winning a fight.
