Note that the rear hand protects the body against a counter strike by an opponent.

"If they all want to join hands to protect the environment, then I would express support for that particular goal."

Cloth ripped, and she cowered, her hands protecting her face.

He kept his right hand plunged into the pocket of his jacket as if protecting something.

I ran, hands up to protect my face from the dry branches.

Or was that only his hands, as he raised them in a feeble and useless effort to protect his head?

With time running out, Spock reached inside, his hands at least minimally protected by the engineering gloves.

The cutters were pushing the door aside, their hands protected by thick gloves.

But I really do believe that the little mummy hand will protect me.

Rainie flung up her bound hands to protect her eyes.