However, something that I found out is that, once you have that confidence, you will seldom, if ever, actually need to do it. Correct. Walk with a purpose, keep your head up, and look the bullies right in the eye. The body language of a kid with confidence usually makes bullies look elsewhere for a victim. If a kid has to defend himself, his objective should be to humiliate the bully in front of his friends, not to break bones or 'kick the snot' out of him.
Right on. I had my now 22 year old daughter in Jeet Kun Do classes for 3 years. When she was in 10th grade, all of 5 ft tall, this boy came up and touched her inappropriately. She grabbed him, slammed him up against the wall and told him if he touched her again, she would beat the living crap out him. He did not come within 10 ft of her for 3 years.
She not only learned self-defense, but self-respect as well. Someone who is confident and self-assured will not be a victim of bullying.