How should you protect your hands during a defense against strikes?

• A. Punch back to counter while staying low.
• B. Clamp the arms to absorb strikes.
• C. Keep hands up near the face, guard the head, and move to avoid contact.
• D. Step back with hands at waist level.

Answer: (C)

Protecting your hands during a defense against strikes means keeping them up to shield your head while using smart movement to avoid contact. When your hands stay up near the face, the forearms create a protective barrier that blocks or deflects incoming punches, your chin stays tucked, and your eyes stay on the opponent so you can react. Footwork is essential here—moving off the line, changing angles, and stepping away helps you avoid contact instead of taking it, which lowers the chance of getting hit and sets up a quick counter if the moment allows.

This approach is better than the other options because you’re prioritizing protection of the most vulnerable area (the head) and using movement to reduce risk, rather than trying to punch back or rely on absorbing strikes, which can still result in damage. Keeping hands at waist level or stepping back without maintaining a guard leaves the head exposed and reduces your ability to defend or respond quickly.