How would you structure a women's self-defense course?

[hafer34]

Whats up! I was just wondering if any of you had any ideas or class structures for a womens self-defense course. I am currently teaching one now and just looking for ideas to keep it interesting. So if you have any drills,games,ext let me know.Peace.

[aikijudo]

hafer,

I read your post carefully, and would like to offer a few thoughts. Please accept my words in the kindness for which they are intended and offered.

The only real difference between women and men is a bit of anatomy and physiology. The nuiances between men and women stem from these differences (A&P). Women have most, if not all of the same issues as men; the same emotional constructs and needs. (HUMAN) I discovered that they want to be treated the same, and be give the same opportunities that men are afforded in studying self-defense.

I believe that if you try to treat them in a special or different way, they may see this as condescending and not appreciate your true intentions.

I say these things based on my experiences. When I started teaching self-defense for women, I invited around a dozen women to my house for a general, roundtable/brainstorming discussion. I wanted to get an idea of how women think, and what their needs are with regards to self-defense. What could I do to best help them? And I was VERY enlightened.

Try this yourself. Get a group of women together in a social setting; bribe them with a good dinner and just talk. There should be ample women available at the University; teachers and students alike. Ask them what they want, what they need, and I believe you will see that they have the same issues that men do, and they don't necessarily want to be treated any differently.

I admire you very much for what you are doing. It is a noble effort.

My best regards

[Matt_Bernius]

Couple ideas assuming its a short course (a few hours):

1. The majority of the time should be spend on the awareness, emotional, and psychological aspects of self defense. Get across the idea that most attacks begin emotionally and then psychologically before they get to the physical aspects. And that it's best if they can be defused before any technique needs to be thrown. Awareness is a key issue. Have them think about how they can evaluate their surroundings to see if they're safe. And get the to "trust" their hunches (ie. if you feel like someone is following you don't simply brush it aside as histeria).

2. Get them to understand that they need to do whatever is necessary to get out of the situation. Introduce the idea of using makeshift weapons if need be (like pens/pencils) and nails. Stress that in a rapidly deteriorating situation they need to be prepared to strike first, not to wait for the attack. Make sure that everyone can come up with a reason that they would do what ever it takes to get home safely.

3. Understand that any tecniques you teach are probably not going to really stick with them without practice. And they're realistically probably not going to get much practice. I'd suggest working on very simple and effective grab escapes. But the positive side is that successfully performing the techniques will give them confidence in their skills.

4. Finally, please don't propigate the old "kick 'em once in the groin and they'll go down myth." IMHO it's one of the worst self defense myth's in today's culture (Thanks America's Funniest Home Videos). The fact is that when true adrenaline is pumping through an attacker's body they will probably shrug off that hit (unless a testicle is physically crushed). If someones banked everything on that technique working and it fails, it's going to mentally rattle them very badly.

Hope this helps,

- Matt

[KickChick]

Originally posted by aikijudo
The only real difference between women and men is a bit of anatomy and physiology. The nuiances between men and women stem from these differences (A&P). Women have most, if not all of the same issues as men; the same emotional constructs and needs. (HUMAN) I discovered that they want to be treated the same, and be give the same opportunities that men are afforded in studying self-defense.

Well, yes & no

My thoughts.....
Most women off the street that step onto a dojang floor in order to learn to be physical have a hard time of it. For most women it does take time to unleash aggressiveness.... its due to being brought up differently then males.... sad but true sometimes.

also:
Women often have to defend themselves from often a bigger attacker, so they have to fight harder and smarter, just like a smaller male would.
I love this quote from a member here "Evolution has lead us to think of what people think should be, rather than thinking of the evolution into what could be. If the women you know doesn't fight as hard and well as men of equal standing, that's because they are lead to believe they cannot, which is a shame.".... by SpongeBob


We have further discussion on structuring a womens self defense class here in these threads
SD class for women (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1852)
Womens Self Defense Falsehoods (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=525)


I was just wondering if any of you had any ideas or class structures for a womens self-defense course

This is how we structured our Womens Self Defense Course:

AWARENESS and AVOIDANCE
Being aware of your surroundings and being "switched on" is the most important factor of your personal safety. Learn easy to understand techniques of awareness & avoidance.

BODY LANGUAGE
Looking at how people stand, use their hands, and even gestures, can tell you alot about a person's intentions. Recognise these signs so you can be one step ahead.

VOICE CONTROL
The power of the voice is widely overlooked when being taught self-defence. Yet this technique can have the same effect as striking someone.

FEAR
How not to misunderstand your fear and it's mental and physical characteristics. Learn how to utilise your fear and that adrenaline rush.

EFFECTIVE STRIKES
How to generate maximum power in your strikes to stop an attacker

GROUND DEFENSE
Simple but effective techniques to help you get back up when attacked and brought to the ground.

EVERYDAY ITEMS AS WEAPONS
By law we cannot carry items that are specifically designed to injure. However you can use everday items such as, magazines, hairbrushes, pens, credit cards etc. to help you protect yourself.

THE LAW & SELF DEFENCE
Advice on the law and some of it's implications when concerning self defence

KNIFE AWARENESS
Basic advice can prevent you from a serious injury or worse

[Monty]

@rockOn_Matt and KickChick:

Very well said !! :)

.... and just a small idea for training:
Just to make people realize that defending against a knife isn't a walk in the park, we use "blue knives".
Those are wooden knives, where the "sharp edge" is pulled through blue chalk (used for masonry).
That way the blue lines on their clothing will tell a lot louder than words just how dangerous a knife is.
The chalk washes right out of the fabric, allowing your students to practice in plain clothes (another thing that is often neglected in self defense training).
You can also use a red marker, and go for naked arms.
(A naked arm defense against a knife is rarely seen here in Denmark though !) :)

[Boshiken]

Very well said kickchick, If you make the course into fun and games your losing site of your objective, to train woman to defend them selves. Not try to, but to do it.

Remember an attacker doesn't care if the woman gets hurt.

FBI crime statistics actually prove the more you resist the higher the chances for survival. So try to make the training real, with out scaring the woman. With some its a very fine line. Because no matter how real you train, it won't even come close to what happens in an actual attack.

Good Luck and hope everything goes well..

[wayofthedragon]

ahhh....womens self defense....that's just what we need. I'd encourage all women to learn self defense......
one thing I think all women should learn is how to fight from the ground, in any situation, weather the opponet is standing, or on the ground with her.

[RMSeevers]

I use to help out in my TKD/Hapkido instructors womens self-defense class. My instructor would pull a few students from his Hapkido class to be used as attackers. We couldn't throw the women but they can throw us, we were just used as dummies.

[Flashing Dagger]

I've been reading the above discussion about Women's self-defense. Coincidentally something happened to my 21 year old sister at college recently. She lives on the university campus in Columbus, Ohio, which is not the safest place to be. Recently after a big football game her purse was stolen from her. She tried to hang on to it, but the mugger was the stronger one and she ended up on the ground. Luckily she was not seriously injured but she still feels like she was victimized. Since I study Kenpo she has asked me to recommend a martial art or self-defense course located in her area. I am unsure whether it is ok to recommend a general women's self-defense course. She needs some training in environmental awareness and also in self-defense techinques. I have stressed to her that without a commitment to long-term serious training, self-defense techinques may not be effective against a stronger attacker. I'm still looking around for a club for her. Any input?

Flashing Dagger

[Matt_Bernius]

Flashing Dagger,

Sorry to hear about your sister's situation. Great thought process in trying to come up with a solution!

Originally posted by Flashing Dagger
I am unsure whether it is ok to recommend a general women's self-defense course. She needs some training in environmental awareness and also in self-defense techinques. I have stressed to her that without a commitment to long-term serious training, self-defense techinques may not be effective against a stronger attacker. I'm still looking around for a club for her. Any input?

Flashing Dagger
You are right to be concerned about the need for long term training. One thing to do is see if you can find a program that you can visit with her to watch a class (or at least talk with the instructor).

You can also check out to see if there are representatives from some modern self defense programs like Tony Blauer's PDR system in the area (for more info check out http://www.tonyblauer.com).

Hope this helps,

- Matt

[Ghost Frog]

Originally posted by KickChick
Most women off the street that step onto a dojang floor in order to learn to be physical have a hard time of it. For most women it does take time to unleash aggressiveness.... its due to being brought up differently then males.... sad but true sometimes.


Very true. I was very happy to join straight into the main classes, as I was fairly confident, but I know that many women are very intimidated by mixed martial arts classes.

We've started doing women's self defence classes separately now for that reason, bringing in token men from time to time for them to practise on. Some women then go onto train in the main classes as they become more confident.

[aml01_ph]

Very good points by Kickchick. A woman is just a person like a man, although they may have different motivations due to background (social, cultural, economic,genetic...). However, the method that works for a man, may not work for a woman.
First, a man is generally stronger. The moves a woman may make against a man may not work just because of sheer power. Out goes grappling for a woman.
Two, a man is generally taller and/or larger. Unless a woman resides in a society where the men are generally the same height as she is, her reach would be handicapped. Out goes those high kicks.
Three, a man inspires fear more than a woman. A man can make an individual afraid just by looking like it. A woman has to demonstrate her ferocity.

The solution: fight dirty, especially if its you or him. Go for the eyes. Go for the neck. Bite his ear. You get the picture.

[DarkDragonFly]

hmmm very interesting posts all... in my style we do alot of self defence but we also have nitty gritty of offence, we do alot physical hits and strikes with both sexes, i have seen many a fight in a dowtown karoake bar between two women so dont think its just the men that try to attack women!!!

[LovernotFighter]

groin sacking 101

seminars: The areas men did not want you to know about

[surgingshark]

seminars: The areas men did not want you to know about

Oh, boy...*buys titanium protective cup*

[bcullen]

4. Finally, please don't propigate the old "kick 'em once in the groin and they'll go down myth." IMHO it's one of the worst self defense myth's in today's culture (Thanks America's Funniest Home Videos). The fact is that when true adrenaline is pumping through an attacker's body they will probably shrug off that hit (unless a testicle is physically crushed). If someones banked everything on that technique working and it fails, it's going to mentally rattle them very badly.

Great advice Matt. But I'm not all the way with you on #4.

I agree that it's too often used as panacea for self-defense.
Groin strikes are very debilitating unless the attacker is on drugs (including alcohol, a very strong pain killer) or otherwise out of touch with reality. But there are two problems: Groin strikes have a delayed effect, you have around 1-2 seconds before the pain hits, so if your attacker is in a position to harm you and you use a groin strike it may just give him an incentive to kill you right now.
The second problem is that men are very protective of that area. It's not going to be easy to get a shot at it. Personal story to illustrate this point: I was at a club just hanging out and turned around just in time to see a hand going for my crotch. I blocked with my left, locked the elbow with my right and spun to the right throwing my attacker onto the dance floor. At this point I realized that my attacker was a female and was an admirer not an assailant. I had tweeked her elbow a little and she was stunned but o.k. (man, did I feel like an a**hole).

[Matt_Bernius]

Originally posted by bcullen
I agree that it's too often used as panacea for self-defense.
Groin strikes are very debilitating unless the attacker is on drugs (including alcohol, a very strong pain killer) or otherwise out of touch with reality. But there are two problems: Groin strikes have a delayed effect, you have around 1-2 seconds before the pain hits, so if your attacker is in a position to harm you and you use a groin strike it may just give him an incentive to kill you right now.And I hope that you understand that I have to disagree. Groin strikes are definitely painful. No argument there. But clothing and other factors (such as adrenaline) can help lessen the impact. And I know from presonal experience that they are not necessarily debilitating. I've been hit in the groin almost full out and been able to keep going.

I've talked with other people who have been hit in the groin in fights. It hurt them, and it made them angry but it sure didn't put them down.

Now a crushed testicle, that's a different thing.

- Matt

[bcullen]

Originally posted by Matt_Bernius
And I hope that you understand that I have to disagree. Groin strikes are definitely painful. No argument there. But clothing and other factors (such as adrenaline) can help lessen the impact. And I know from presonal experience that they are not necessarily debilitating. I've been hit in the groin almost full out and been able to keep going.

I've talked with other people who have been hit in the groin in fights. It hurt them, and it made them angry but it sure didn't put them down.

Now a crushed testicle, that's a different thing.

- Matt

Actually, I can understand: Now that I think about it. I've taken some pretty serious injuires and not even realized it till the adrenaline wore off.

[royjudo]

This is very interesting reading, but awareness mentally of situations is more benificial than the physical element.

[Matt_Bernius]

Originally posted by bcullen
Actually, I can understand: Now that I think about it. I've taken some pretty serious injuires and not even realized it till the adrenaline wore off.

Bingo. People get stabbed and not realize it. Adrenaline is a wonderful and deadly thing. There are a lot of things that we have been conditioned to think will stop us that don't necessarily have to.

Originally posted by royjudo
This is very interesting reading, but awareness mentally of situations is more benificial than the physical element. Agreed. The most important self defense lessons are awareness. Any techniques that are taught need to be simple and used to back up awareness. The great thing about teaching technique is that it helps build the confidence that is necessary to support that afor mentioned awareness.

- Matt

[SecurityAdvisor]

Originally posted by hafer34
Whats up! I was just wondering if any of you had any ideas or class structures for a womens self-defense course. I am currently teaching one now and just looking for ideas to keep it interesting. So if you have any drills,games,ext let me know.Peace.

Hi hafer34,

I co-teach a women's self-defense with two other people. We've broken it down as follows:

Section 1: Security Awareness

I teach that avoidance as the most effective tool for self-defense.
for our course this includes:

A. 4 Risk Management Strategies
B. Assessing Personal Risks
C. The Anatomy of an Attack
D. Prevention Guidelines


Section 2: Defensive Tactics

Taught by my MA Instructor.

He introduces the students to:

A. Verbalization
B. Evasion
C. Blocking
D. Striking

Section 3: Relaxation

Taught by a Yoga Instructor

She covers

A. Stretching
B. Cardiovascular Health
C. Isometric Resistance
D. Relaxation Techniques

The course is pretty flexible in that it can be done in as little as four hours and in as much as eight hours.

___________________________
SecurityAdvisor

[mike4kicks]

Great thread. Just my personal experience. I have tried a variety of self-defense programs and methods such as Tony Blauer, CDT, RMCAT/FAST, and played with the Macho Redman suit. They all have their strong points, but for the average, non martial arts oriented person, I found the RMCAT/FAST Defense extremely effective. After teaching self-defense for over 15 years, I switched to the FAST training methology. It is the first time that I have had women call me back saying that they actually used it and it worked. I liked the Tony Blauer program, but the suit cannot take a full contact hit from a well trained participant.

Mike

[grimel]

Originally posted by KickChick
Well, yes & no

My thoughts.....
Most women off the street that step onto a dojang floor in order to learn to be physical have a hard time of it. For most women it does take time to unleash aggressiveness.... its due to being brought up differently then males.... sad but true sometimes.


What she said. Getting (most of) the women to HIT someone can be the most frustrating single thing I've ever tried to do. true story = a woman mid 40's comes to our school and starts silat. Being the school BUT (big ugly thug) she gets to practice on me. She weighs maybe 110 comes to my shoulder. EVERY time she "punched" at me she stopped and asked if she hurt me - I'm not sure it would have kiled a fly. This went on for weeks and weeks. Just before Thanksgiving doing the same drill (I punch she parrys, strikes and throws) she managed to actually hit me sticking her finger in my eye, drag me down, and get ready to start again without a bit of concern. That was the happiest day I had all year in class.


also:
Women often have to defend themselves from often a bigger attacker, so they have to fight harder and smarter, just like a smaller male would.

This is so important. My margin for error is MUCH larger than the vast majority of women. Thus, IMO, the women need to be taught how to maximize how they hit.

I have 2 daughters, 1 granddaughter, and 1 wife. Forgive me if I get a bit cranky about women's self defense.

[grimel]

Originally posted by Matt_Bernius
I've talked with other people who have been hit in the groin in fights. It hurt them, and it made them angry but it sure didn't put them down.


Even if the first shot is an sucker punch groin shot don't count on it putting someone down. IMO, it's vastly overrated. A finger in the eye up to the middle knuckle OTOH is reported to work rather well (we have a max securtiy guard who works the cell extraction unit in our school).

[Matt_Bernius]

Originally posted by mike4kicks
I liked the Tony Blauer program, but the suit cannot take a full contact hit from a well trained participant.

Mike That's kinda the idea of the suit. I can take the punishment. But the person inside of it get's punished as well. Personally, I dig that. I think it's important in a sparring fight scenario to understand what hurts and what doesn't. The other plus side is that the person executing the technique against some one in the igh gear suit alos gets to understand if the technique would have effect or not.

That's just my 2 cents,

- Matt

[shuyun3]

concealed weapons? there is no end to the usefulness of an iridium nibbed fountain pen

[sakura]

I cringed when I saw the title of this thread and thought to myself "Oh crap, here we go again!"

But upon reading it (especailly the coments by aikijudo) I was pleasantly surprised by the enlightened answers!

I just hope more people can take the advice given and actually ask the women what they think they need. Most of the time (sadly) men try to teach women to defend themselves as a man would do. And through no fault of their own they can never understand what it feels like to be a woman in a threatening situation.

The only true advice you can offer in this situation is to try and remain calm (!!) and remember it is better to try something and get hurt than not try anything and die!

No one deserves to be a victim whether it is male or female.

[hedgehogey]

I definetely agree with Matt. Getting hit in the nuts HURTS, yes, but it's usually not debilitating. A woman should use techniques that break a limb or put him to sleep.

[Reiki]

I definetely agree with Matt. Getting hit in the nuts HURTS, yes, but it's usually not debilitating. A woman should use techniques that break a limb or put him to sleep.

What about a hit, grab and twist to the nuts? We were told to go for this as an option, if u grab, twist, crush and yank on them surely this is a little more painful?
:D

[hedgehogey]

Surely it is painful and hurts a compliant, nonresisting person very much.

BUT even assuming that he even lets you touch his groin (men have a natural protective instinct for that) AND he's not wearing thick pants it's still not debilitating. That is, it doesn't put him out of the fight.

A pain based technique may or may not disable your opponent. It is, however, practically physically impossible for a man to continue fighting if he has a broken limb, and certainly if he's gone to sleep.

[sakura]

What about a hit, grab and twist to the nuts? We were told to go for this as an option, if u grab, twist, crush and yank on them surely this is a little more painful?
:D

I like that!!! Now you're thinking like a woman!! LOL!! :D :D :D

That's the type of thing I generally teach as a last ditch attempt given that you've got to be close to the attacker to do it and ideally you want to be as far away as possible!!

The other thing to remember in this day and age is if you are going to bite someone, do it through clothing. The last thing you need is to get away from the attacker to find out a month later you've caught something horrible like Hep B or worse!