Quick Answer
When someone pushes or shoves you, the goal is to stay on your feet, keep your hands up, create distance and leave, not to fight back. Bend your knees to keep your balance, take the push by stepping back or moving off the line, raise your hands in a non-aggressive "fence" position to protect your face and keep space, and speak calmly while you move away. The first push is often a test or an escalation point, and responding with calm control usually ends it. This article is general educational information, not legal advice.
Why the first push matters
In many confrontations, the push is the first physical contact. It can be a way of testing you, intimidating you or starting a fight. What you do next matters far more than the push itself:
- If you fall or lose balance, you are in a much worse position.
- If you shove back or swing, you may escalate a situation that was still avoidable, and you may create legal problems for yourself.
- If you stay balanced and calm, you keep your options open: leave, de-escalate or protect yourself.
Our guides on how to de-escalate a confrontation and situational awareness cover the moments before this point.
The four principles
- Balance first. A pushed person who keeps their feet is hard to control. Bend your knees slightly and keep your weight over the middle of your body.
- Hands up, non-aggressively. Raise open hands at chest or shoulder height. This is often called a "fence" or "soft guard." It protects your face, creates space and looks calm rather than threatening.
- Give with the push, then reset. Do not lean into the push or stand rigid. Step back or sideways so the force passes through you, then re-establish your stance.
- Create distance and exit. Your goal is to get out of range and away from the situation, not to continue.
Step by step: responding to a push
- Keep a slightly bent-knee stance with your feet about shoulder-width apart, one foot a little ahead of the other.
- As the push lands, step back or sideways with your lead or rear foot to absorb it, keeping your weight low.
- Bring your hands up to the fence position as you move, palms open, elbows relaxed.
- Reset your feet. Come back to a stable stance, facing the person.
- Speak calmly and clearly. A firm, quiet phrase such as "I don't want any trouble, I'm leaving" can end a situation. See our guide to de-escalating a confrontation for more.
- Move away toward people, light or an exit, keeping an eye on the other person.
If you are pushed from behind
A push from behind is harder to see coming.
- Lower your weight and take a step forward to catch your balance instead of falling.
- Turn to face the person as you recover, hands up.
- Create distance and leave toward safety.
If you are pushed in a crowd
Crowded places such as queues, clubs, malls and events are where accidental and deliberate pushes are most common.
- Assume it may be accidental first, and avoid reacting aggressively.
- Keep your feet and your hands in front of your body.
- Move out of the crowd to a safer position.
- Seek out staff or security if the person keeps targeting you.
If you are pushed against a wall or into a corner
- Keep your hands up and your chin tucked.
- Create space with your forearms, keep moving your feet and aim to turn out to the side.
- Make noise and attract attention.
- Leave as soon as there is space.
If the situation escalates into a grab or hold, our guides on escaping a wrist grab, choke defense and headlocks and bear hugs cover the next steps.
Common mistakes
- Leaning forward or locking your knees, which makes you easy to topple.
- Pushing or swinging back immediately, which escalates the situation.
- Dropping your hands or turning your back, which exposes you.
- Staying to argue. Leaving is almost always the better option.
- Freezing. Practising the response makes it more automatic. See training under stress.
Why training the "boring" skills matters
Stance, balance, the fence position and calm movement are not exciting, but they are the foundation of every system. A beginner who learns these first has a stronger base than someone who learns flashy techniques. Our beginner roadmap and first 90 days of Krav Maga guide show how this fits into a progression.
The legal side in the UAE
You have a right to defend yourself, but force must be necessary and proportionate, and it must stop when the threat does. Shoving back, striking first or following someone can put you on the wrong side of the law even if they started it. Our guide to self-defense laws in the UAE explains the basics. This is not legal advice; consult a licensed UAE lawyer for specific questions.
Practise it safely
- Learn with a qualified instructor and a cooperative partner.
- Start slowly, agree a stop signal and build speed gradually.
- Practise the balance and fence position until they feel natural.
- Read our guide to sparring for beginners for how to progress.
Train with DKing Combat in Dubai
DKing Combat System teaches Krav Maga fundamentals, including stance, movement and close-range defense, at Max Burn Gym, Al Quoz 3, Dubai. Training begins with an application. Pricing, schedules and availability are best confirmed with DKing Saad or via the apply page. See also what to expect at your first class.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if someone pushes me?
Stay balanced, bring your hands up in a calm fence position, step back or sideways to absorb the push, speak calmly and move away. Avoid pushing back or swinging.
Should I push back if someone shoves me first?
Usually not. Pushing back escalates the situation and can create legal problems. Staying balanced, creating distance and leaving is safer.
What is the fence position?
Open hands raised at chest or shoulder height, palms toward the other person. It protects your face, keeps space and looks non-aggressive.
How do I avoid falling when pushed?
Bend your knees, keep your weight centred, and step back or sideways with the push instead of leaning into it.
What if I'm pushed from behind?
Lower your weight, take a step forward to catch your balance, turn to face the person with your hands up, and create distance.
Can a push be accidental in a crowd?
Often, yes. Assume it may be accidental first, avoid reacting aggressively and move out of the crowd if you feel uneasy.
Is shoving someone back legal in the UAE?
Self-defense is recognised, but force must be necessary and proportionate. Starting or escalating a physical altercation can create legal problems. Consult a licensed lawyer for specific advice.
Does Krav Maga teach how to handle a push?
Stance, balance, distance management and close-range defense are core parts of Krav Maga fundamentals. Ask any school how they teach them.
This article is general educational information, not legal advice or a substitute for supervised training. In an emergency in the UAE, call 999.
📍 DKing Combat System, Max Burn Gym, Al Quoz 3, Street 4, Warehouse #10, Dubai, UAE 📞 DKing Saad: +971 50 754 6104 🌐 dkingcombat.com ✅ Apply here: dkingcombat.com/apply
DKing Saad (Saad Iqbal) has coached martial arts and real-world self-defense for more than 20 years and is the founder of the DKing Combat System in Al Quoz, Dubai. More about Saad.