‘Want to know all about bullying and intimidation? Here are all the tactics bullies use to rattle you.

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Bullies bully not only to harm but to intimidate you so that you won’t defend yourself. Therefore, in this post, you will learn about bullying and intimidation so you’ll know the tactics bullies use to scare you.

Once you discover all these techniques, you will be better able to stand up to them and take your power back.

This post is all about bullying and intimidation so that you’ll know all the tactics bullies use to instill fear. Then you can recognize them when they try to use them on you. And you’ll be better prepared to defend yourself.

Bullying and Intimidation

Bullies will often do things to rattle you before they get violent. Before we reveal the tactics, let’s first discuss rattling.

Rattling

Before getting violent, bullies will often try to rattle their targets to intimidate them and throw them off balance. Why? Because if the victim is on the back foot, they can’t fight back as effectively.

Here are tactics they use (The first 8 are done mostly in school settings).

1. Deliberately knocking over your drink and spilling it.

The reason abusers do this is to assert dominance over you. They may also spill your drink to humiliate you in public.

Physical bullies do it to provoke you to fight.

Moreover, they may also do it for plausible deniability. For instance, the bully may knock your tray on the floor during lunch. When you stand up and confront them, they can then claim that “it was an accident” and make you look unhinged.

Bullying and Intimidation:

2. Plucking a piece of food from your plate and popping it in their mouths.

At school, during lunch, your bully may snatch a French fry off your tray and eat it as they walk by your table. They do this for several reasons.

One is to test your boundaries. When a bully takes a piece of your food, see it as a challenge. Why? Because the unspoken message is, “Hey, wimp! I just took a piece of your food. So, what are you going to do about it?”

This is just another form of nonverbal bullying that dares you to assert yourself. Moreover, bullies also do it to intimidate you and assert dominance.

By pulling this number, they slyly lay claim to what’s yours. And they do it without drawing too much attention and risking confrontation.

3. Kicking your purse or backpack over with their foot.

This tactic is all about dominance. Human predators may also kick over your stuff to intimidate you. Whatever the reason, they do it to invade your personal space. Also, they destroy your dignity and sense of security.

You see? By using this tactic, they can violate your physical space without resorting to direct physical beatings. Therefore, they can humiliate you and emotionally destabilize you.

Bullying and Intimidation:

4. Flinging Your Hair Back.

If you’re a girl, bullies may fling your hair to violate your physical space. This is to assert dominance and control without an overt physical attack.

They may also pull or grab your hair, especially if it’s long. Long hair is just another thing abusers can exploit. When a bully grabs your hair, not only can they inflict instant pain, they can also control your movements.

Hair is the ultimate power-grab for human predators.

5. Flicking your nose with one finger.

Bullies may flick your nose to assert dominance. Moreover, they may also do it to dare you to hit them.

If an audience is present, they may do it to humiliate you. In bully-speak, they do it to “punk you out.”

6. Giving you a non-friendly slap on the back. 

Again, human predators do this to assert physical dominance without looking aggressive. Moreover, they send you the message that they can violate you physically without looking like it.

Then, they don’t have to worry about getting into trouble with authority.

By doing this, they can also inflict a stinging pain on your body. And they can intimidate you. They also do it to humiliate you in public. Why? Because bystanders know the slap on the back isn’t friendly.

Therefore, you end up looking like a punk.

Bullying and Intimidation:

7. Glaring at you from across a crowded room.

And why not? Because who’s paying attention? They know that in a crowd, others are less likely to notice this subtle tactic.

Therefore, to counter these types of sneak attacks. You must be just as sneaky. For instance, when you see the bully glaring at you, mirror his behavior.

In other words, return a hard, cold stare of your own. This lets the bully know that he doesn’t intimidate you.

8. Shoulder-Checking you as they walk past you.

Human predators pull this tactic to dare you. They also do it to signal that they’re ready for a physical showdown.

Therefore, you need to defend yourself. And you’ll have to do it using physical means. Why? Because it’s the only way you’ll get them to stop. Remember that bullies only respond to strength.

Bullying and Intimidation:

9. Knocking your cap off your head.

Just like the tactics we’ve already discussed, bullies do it to dare you. The message is, “I knocked your hat off. Now, what are you going to do about it?”

Also, they do it because they’re looking for a fight. Why else would he invade your space like this? He is clearly trying to provoke you!

If you don’t respond appropriately, they will only escalate the behavior. But if you stand up to them, they’ll likely back off.

10. Making the T-Stance.

This is when they look at you. Then, they stand with their feet apart and open their arms wide, making a T-like posture. Bullies do this to dare you.

The message is, “Here I am! Bring it! Come on! I dare you!”

11. Making deliberate, sudden movements toward you.

For example, bullies may suddenly raise their fist to you. They may act like they’re going to punch your lights out. Or, they may lunge at you out of the blue. Then, they stop themselves and laugh.

Understand that they do this to startle you and get you to flinch. Bullies love to startle you. They get their kicks out of seeing you jump. Why? Because, to them, your perfectly normal reaction is proof that you’re afraid of them.

Bullying and Intimidation:

12. Doing Mock Physical Attacks.

For instance, your harasser may dance around the room and shadow box. However, by doing this, the bully is toying with you by showing you what he wants to do to you.

And he’s waiting, with bated breath, for the chance to square off. See it for what it is and refuse to let it intimidate you. For instance, you can calmly respond with one of these statements.

“Do you know how ridiculous you look?”

“Wow! Way to make yourself look like a total jackass!”

Then you can turn and walk away. Therefore, the best way to counter this type of person is to insult their intelligence. And do it in public.

This will likely make the bully back off. Why? Because bullies hate looking foolish and being called out on it.

13. Making deliberate acts look like an accident.

Most bullies won’t overtly attack you. Why? Because they don’t want to look bad in the eyes of bystanders and witnesses.

However, they hope they can make you attack them. Therefore, they do things like this to provoke you. And why not?

If they can get you to hit them, they can make you look like the bad guy.

Bullying and Intimidation:

14. Looming over you.

Bullies will loom over you to intimidate you. Moreover, they do it to signal dominance. They also loom over you when they’re ready to fight you.

They may stand over you when you’re sitting in a chair. Or, they may stand close enough behind you to physically touch you.

Again, the reason they do this is to rattle your nerves or get you to turn around and punch them. So, do what you have to do to make them back off.

But make sure that those around you know what they’re doing first.

15. “Accidentally” running into you or brushing past you.

Bullies do this to test your boundaries and see what you’ll do. Therefore, show them. No one has the right to touch you.

If you know they’re doing it on purpose, you have every right to defend yourself.

Bullying and Intimidation:

16. Targeting your sibling or best friend.

Human predators do this to get a reaction from you. Understand that if they can’t get the response they want by harassing you, they will go after someone you care about.

Therefore, do what you must to protect your loved one.

17. “Accidentally” Destroying your property.

Your bully might “accidentally” drop your music box and break it. Or they may step on your purse and break something inside it.

Realize that they’re doing it to provoke you. At the same time, if you call them out on it, they’ll claim that it was “an accident.” They’ll say they “didn’t mean to” tear up your stuff.

But you’ll know the truth just by their past behavior.

Bullying and Intimidation:

In Conclusion

Bullies will try everything outside of a direct assault just to intimidate you and dominate you. Here’s a quick recap of the intimidation tactics we just covered.

To get you rattled, bullies will resort to the following tactics.

• Deliberately knocking over your drink and spilling it.
• Plucking a piece of food off your plate and popping it in their mouths.
• Kicking your purse or backpack over with their foot.
• Flinging your hair back.
• Flicking your nose with one finger.
• Giving you a non-friendly slap on the back.
• Glaring at you from across a crowded room.
• Shoulder-checking you as they walk past you.
• Knocking your cap off your head.
• Making a T-stance.
• Making deliberate, sudden movements toward you.
• Doing mock physical attacks.
• Making deliberate acts look like an accident.
• Looming over you.
• “Accidentally” running into you or brushing past you.
• Targeting your sibling or best friend.
• “Accidentally destroying your property.

The main goal of these tactics is to intimidate you. However, bullies may also use these techniques to assert dominance or challenge you.

They may also do it to provoke a desired reaction from you. So, see it all for what it is and what it’s designed to do. And respond accordingly.

This post is all about bullying and intimidation tactics so that you’ll recognize them when you see them and defend yourself.

Related posts you’ll enjoy:

1. Bullying Intimidation Tactics: 15 Bully-Moves You Must be Aware of.

2. How to Expose a Bully: 5 Must-Know Tips to Rip off the Mask

3. Signs Verbal Abuse Will Turn Physical

4. Asserting Boundaries: The Pros Outweigh the Cons

5. How to Defend Yourself from Bullies: 5 Powerful Strategies

6. Defending Yourself from Bullies: 11 Best Defenses