My mom was pretty much like gymshorts' mother, not much in the metal department. When I was being bullied, my parents did nothing. Looking back, if I knew my sons were going to be short, (my mom was 5'2" and my dad 5'5"), I would have enrolled them in self-defense class as I have did for my boys. I am 5'8" and my wife 5'7". They get some height from her side, thank God. My 17 year old is 6'. I am so glad they will never have to put with the shit I did because my parents were morons.
I have seen moves in self-defense class that I wish I knew about, like kicks to the knee. Why punch up, when you can break a goon's knee, easily? I am here to tell you, if I knew then what I know now, there would be some scared for life bullies hobbeling around on bad knees. A key point is to get in close and take away their reach, then kick, punch for the thought, balls, eyes, don't let them get away. Hit high then low, make it impossible block. Punch the neck, they lose interest in fighting when trying to breath.