self defense

This term operates in two distinct registers: the practical and the legal. In a practical sense, it refers to the physical skill set or training used to repel an attacker, often associated with martial arts or personal safety courses. In this context, it is a general activity.

In a legal context, it refers to a specific affirmative defense used in court to justify the use of force. To be valid as a legal justification, the action must typically be proportional to the threat and necessary to prevent immediate harm. Using the term in a courtroom implies a formal plea of innocence based on necessity rather than a mere description of a fight.