Abstract: A protective hand guard, equipped with rigid inserts, with a primary use as a defensive deterrent to attack or assault. The inserts protrude from a fabric covering, which fits around a hand, similarly to a fingerless glove or a mitt. Specifically, the rigid inserts can be positioned either in the knuckle-side or palm-side of the hand, and held in place within pockets of an over covering. The rigid inserts are cushioned at their bases and mounted within the pockets, to provide comfort and absorption of impacts against the inserts. The inserts can be curved to follow the natural contours of the knuckle or palm, as desired.