Distinguish between striking and pushing in self-defense.

• A. Striking targets the threat to create space; pushing repositions the threat without delivering impact.
• B. They are the same.
• C. Pushing is always better.
• D. Striking is never allowed.

Answer: (A)

Distinguishing how each action functions is the key. Striking is about delivering an impact to the threat with the aim of creating space or stopping the attack; it relies on making contact to deter or disable the threat enough to escape. Pushing uses force to move or redirect the threat without delivering a damaging hit, so the goal is to reposition and create an opening to disengage rather than to injure. That’s why the best description is that striking targets the threat to create space, while pushing repositions the threat without delivering impact. The other statements don’t fit self-defense principles: they imply the actions are the same, or that one tactic is always better, or that striking is never allowed, none of which accurately reflect how these tactics are used in real situations.