防身术，是用于自我防卫的一种武术，强调自身被敌人碰触或非碰触攻击的情况下，进行防卫的手法.平民的防身术，是设法在敌人攻击自己时，自己有机会脱逃，且尽量不要受伤，故不应以言语、动作挑衅敌人，尽可能在出其不意的情况下发动突袭，使其暂时失去或减低行动能力，以增加逃跑的机会。
Self-defense techniques and recommended behavior under the threat of violence is systematically taught in self-defense classes. Self-defense courses are marketed explicitly as being oriented towards effectiveness and optimized towards situations as they occur in the real world. Many tailored to the needs of specific target audiences (e.g. defense against attempted rape for women, self-defense for children and teens).
