teaching "self-defense"

[slowmo]

I have always loved learning martial arts and self defense, self empowerment, and fitness in general AS my main focus. As oppossed to say mastering a particular martial arts 'style'.

Some people do this for 'mixed martial arts' though i think that is a little bit different way of doing it because that's usually focusing on grappling/kickboxing (basically) and often for competition.

I only hold certain 'rank' in a few styles (none are black belt but i feel i'm equal to or above 'black belt level' from 20 years of learning various martial arts)

What i've wanted to do for some time is simply teach 'self defense' as oppossed to 'martial arts' (though i'd certainly use what i was taught from various martial arts) and i'm wondering if any of you guys on this forum do, or know someone who does this?

If so do you know of any resources that can guide me on setting up my own 'self defense' buisness. Perhaps i would teach it in my backyard, a public park, local YMCA, community college, etc.. Or is this just not a realistic career and only 'martial arts' are taught?

I really hope this is feesible because i love teaching and i love being able to take a variety of skills and put them together into teaching people just how to defend themselves. and constantly learning new things from many different resources

I hope what i wrote was clear, it was kinda hard for me to word that there :P but in case i wasn't clear what i'm asking is is it realistic to teach 'self defense' in general, as a career, as opposed teaching martial arts systems such as karate, tae kwon do, etc?

[Jamesy]

Yeah there is an organisation in England that have been going for ten years now just teaching self defence its called British Free Fighting Academy (B.F.FA) (http://www.bffa.co.uk). Andy Hopwood who created the academy has realised two self defence videos which are the best I have ever seen. So if your in the UK you could be a B.F.F.A instructor.
These are links for the video/DVD he's done there both worth every penny.
First film. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005NMYF/qid%3D1132193665/026-4639840-7938862) Second film. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000ANDAA4/qid%3D1132193932/026-4639840-7938862)

Out of interest what styles have you done and how long for and what grade did you get too?

[TheCount]

Look at CQC or Defendo. The Defendo organisation offers a course called CORE which is a week long intensive training thing as well as some outdoor combat courses and seminars. Then you can do your instructor qualification with them and Advanced Defendo. Costs about $300 if I remember for the C.O.R.E. course including the materials you require.

[snow_tiger]

Leonard Holifield, a VERY respected name in the area (check out his resume...) has a training/certification in his CQC program called CETA. I think it's like US $500 for all materials and then train with him in person. This is for an instructorship cert through him.

You can check out the program at http://www.holifield-security.com/ceta.htm.

Good luck.

[Killbot]

My buddy\training partner and I have been discussing starting a self-defense class for our association.

There's really no good self-defense seminars or classes in our area...and we live in a university town...a place where drunken brawls and rapes happen every weekend.

I became more interested in a non-style\ no conditioning type self-defense after I got married. My wife is not a large person, nor is she very strong, flexible or mobile. So it got me to thinking about attacks anyone can do with little or no training.

I took a self-defense class when I was in college and found it to be more of a danger than an advantage. Teaching someone to punch isn't going to do them any good if they have no power and don't train to develop power. Teaching somone how to do a triangle or heelhook isn't going to help them if they don't practice the situations of application. Wristlocks won't work without practice. Scraping a badguys shin isn't going to do any good if he's jacked-up on something or drunk.


So basically we're trying to put together some common sense situational avoidance training, environmental tactics, and some raw and brutal attacks that should work with little strength or training.


Just thought this might give you some perspective...and it really helps me to say this out loud(write it down) more and more to get a clearer picture of what we're going for. :)

Sorry I don't have any info from other sources. Thats my next step too.

[fthl]

as well as teaching ju jitsu, I will also self protection classes.

the self protection stuff is usually powerpoint based, structured around discussion and depending on the detail, is about a two-three hour course. There is about 20-30 mins of practical stuff at the end, but this is there more to make the delegates realise that they can't learn much usefull stuff in a course, or in 4 sessions, even if it is fun... and to make some of the lasses realise that a strike to the groin is not a get out of jail free card [for a nice trick, wear a box under your suite as you are delivering the course and invite a delgate to knee you...that gets the message home...cos hell, if I were a mugger, I'd armour up before hand...]. There is some usefull stuff, but that is generally forgotten as soon as they walk out the door....

I make the distinction between self defence and self protection. Most folk go to self defence courses when they really want self protection.

Scary quote for the day?

"yeah...I used to get really worried about this short cut I take home after practice, but we had a self defence course at school and now I feel happier about it...."

[fthl]

'dead or alive' by geoff thompson. A must for anyone interested in this area.

[Shrfu_Eric]

Ok.

well not going to be discouraging or anything ... but these are somethings people may look for when they are inquireing about your courses.

- what ranks did you receive from the arts you have studied? which arts? do you have certificates?
- are you using techniques taught in these arts?
- have you ever used techniques you are teaching and did the effectively work?
- are they practical and can be applied by most people? or are they just technical?
- what is your experience in fighting? tournaments? street ?
- do you have credible backing ? will someone vouch for you who is credible in the MA community or the combat community ? not always needed but nice to have to shut up the naysayers.
- are you making courses or just straight up classes?
- is there going to be contact in these classes / courses. training aids / equipment ?

The biggest issues with these to avoid the "mcdojo" label is whether or not you are a credible source for teaching practical self defence. And how do you know it works?
These are some of the things people may ask.

good luck in your search

Be well

Eric

[gimgamgommetje]

I recently started teaching krav maga in the Netherlands.
I've noticed that having an organisation backing you up is very helpfull.
I'd definettely look into some certification programs. You've already gotten a few in this topic. Make sure you find something that suits you.

The way you market your school will determine the type of people you attrack for a large part. So that will be something to take in consideration.

There is definettely a market for self defense programs. Companies would like to know you and your product before spending lot's of money on programs for their people. Again, certification as well as some kind of resumee is helpfull.
Ofcourse you can also market only to civilians.

There are lot's of options, it's up to you to find out what works for you.

Make sure besides techniques you are aware of the crime in your area, the laws etc. You will get questions from people on how far they can go in what situation etc. To explain it well you should realize the level of threats in certain situations.

With situationinail training or however you sau it in English you can make a big difference with traditional training.
A lot of martial arts schools limit themselve to practising a self defense technique vs the attacking technique.
In self defense training you should go more in depth of the situation and how to deal with situations like this.
The better you keep track of local crimes etc the more you can give examples they can relate to.