"defensive instinct" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person's natural reaction to a threatening situation, which is usually to protect or defend themselves. For example, "Faced with a looming danger, she was overcome by her defensive instinct and was able to protect her child from harm."
"That was just defensive instinct," El-Amin said of the steal from the freshman guard.
"It's kind of like a defensive instinct; it just comes," she says.
The defensive instinct has sometimes led to a reputation for wary insularity, but even that, I'm told, on my brief happiness tour, is breaking down.
Caught up in an age of great uncertainty, his defensive instinct is to simplify, leaving political intrigue to others while pursuing one final prerogative – his own personal gratification – before that too fades.
The question is whether Granger's marginal defensive instincts might compromise a defense – led in his absence by George – currently ranked first in the league in both points allowed (89.3) and overall efficiency (98.9).
As Parini approaches Vidal's later years, his defensive instincts go into overdrive.
He was quickly moved to offense, but he retained some of his defensive instincts.
The starting guard Victor Oladipo, an exciting off-guard with great defensive instincts, already has his London plans in place.
His ability to hit for power and average gives Manuel several lineup options, and his defensive instincts and strong arm should ease the transition into a new ballpark.
He rarely gave a poor pass and can tackle too, showing the importance of one of the three midfield players having defensive instincts.
Antonetti, then the assistant general manager, said the Indians liked Cabrera's approach at the plate and his defensive instincts, which have led to remarkable plays in the field.
