Requesting Help With Self-Defense Curriculum

I could use some community advice on SD "principles" to supplement my physical training with for a small private training group I am going to begin teaching in the future. My mind is full of concepts I've used to survive violent encounters in the past, but I need a structure to this information to make it accessible to an audience unfamiliar with violence. If anyone is unwilling to publically share here, then I would still greatly appreciate a private message on the topic from anyone's personal notes.

I've taught SD before, but only acting as a senior student using other people's curriculums. I never took proper notes because I hate teaching, and the principles that stuck are the ones I use to keep myself safe. Considering the sheer amount of time and money I've put into my training, this is a pitiful illustration of how lazy I am at paperwork. However, friends that know about my background do occasionally ask me to teach them, and I usually always accept. Embarrassingly, this results in me feeling like it's something I can just do, not explain. I'm hoping to save up for some RBSD training taught to the military and offer satellite training to that parent facility in the future to correct this lack in my note taking history. In the interim I intend to teach ninjutsu basics, CDT basics (bodyguard MA based on Filipino arts), and any other odd tricks I've picked up over the years. I still intend to supplement any future RBSD classes with principles discussed here, particularly concerning the use of diffusing and avoiding violence.

Some examples of what I'm looking for would be:

I'm aware that there are lots of books on this subject, and I've read a few of them, but I do not have the time or empty reading list presently to devour every leading author's manifesto on the subject, knowing many have written so much on so many SD topics. A suggestion for a single book which covers the topic in its most complete and broad of spectrum might work though. Any websites that people find useful as a reference would be appreciated, also with a discussion of what elements of the website they find beneficial and why.

Obviously with a topic as broad as SD, generating an absolutely complete written curriculum is impractical. I'd just like attempt to cover the topic as broadly and accurately as possible, particularly focusing on the elements appropriate to the avoidance of or diffusing of violence.

Thank you for any suggestions,
John

 

No problem Simon, I understand your reservations entirely. Also, I'd like to remind you, I'm not planning to run any sort of commercial school. I only intend to run a small, private training group with friends I've known well.

I'm not a lawyer, but I've had several courses on use of force laws in H2H and small arms. The problem in America is that each state has separate laws regarding this, and we have a lot of states.

Yes, I have some safety equipment, and obviously I'm not going to be out breaking my friends if I can avoid it. I have a background in biology and first aid training.

That isn't what I meant. I meant softening the target to distract them, engage their brain into dealing with 1 part of their body while you do damage to another. Blind them before following through with a series of solid strikes elsewhere for example. I was using the generalized military use of the term, "softening the target." A distracted or unaware target is inherently "softer" by this definition.

I've studied the various breakdowns in aggressive behaviors before from the writing of various RBSD gurus, but I certainly need to brush back up on it. I also have an academic background in the behavioral sciences, so I'm pretty sure I'm smart enough to figure it out.

This is excellent advice and I really appreciate it, however I have no intention of teaching children.

Also excellent advice. We don't have nearly as many ER phones here as you guys do, but I'll certainly try to figure out where one is located so I can test this out. Unfortunately, because it's America, I'm sure there are no federal guidelines to such things and each state has a different ER phone system. Hell, probably even each county.

I was generally concerned about the distances someone can close with a knife to engage an officer sort of data. Having the math available and then using that to run through a scenario will help people understand how deceptively easy it is to close distance and stab someone before they can react. Most people wouldn't believe that is even possible unless they saw it for themselves.

I only advocate nerve damage to temporarily stun before damaging, if done properly; to help create a momentary opening and harm another part of the attacker. I've used a lot of pain compliance responses successfully in violence, but I also had the training to do a whole lot more damage if that failed to work. However, I'm glad you mentioned this because I'm certain I may have taken for granted how being a naturally strong male gave me an advantage in applying such methods over a person with inherently less muscle mass.

Absolutely, which is why environmental awareness is an entire lifestyle. I have to admit, it does seem like a slightly cruel joke to encourage other people to remain slightly switched on all the time like I am.

 

I have some rules of thumb that have worked really well for me.

1. Avoid places with lots of alcohol and testosterone.
2. Avoid places where bad things happen. If there are lots of fights at pub a don't go to pub a.
3 When you go out to club or what have you always travel in a group and don't let yourself be isolated from the group.
4. Pay attention to your surroundings. Where are the doors, is there more than one, what is the mood of the place, does it feel tense, what kind of people are hanging out here and stuff like that.
5. Trust your gut, if something doesn't feel right it probably isn't.

Is this a help?

 

Yes, absolutely. A lot of it's just common sense stuff, but getting some ideas about sites or books that do a great job of compiling this data will help me sort through it and not overlook subjects.

The friend who asked me train her is a young, single mother of a small child. I already encouraged her to study at a local MMA studio and learn MT and BJJ, but she wants to get her feet wet by a friend first, so I'm going to go over some basics in a low intensity environment for her. There aren't any RBSD courses conveniently located in our area, so I can't recommend a school for better environmental awareness training, etc. This is part of the reason I'd like to learn a RBSD system I can bring to the area and offer a resource we're desperately lacking in. Even then I wouldn't run any sort of commercial school though. Too much paperwork.

 

My book list is here:
http://www.practicalkarate.co.uk/books.html

Scroll down for self protection.

I can't think of one good book that really covers everything per se at a standard I would be happy with. Different books specialise in different things.

As a 'cover all bases' book for people in the USA I think this book is one of the best:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0936279133?tag=practkarat-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0936279133&adid=11HKYDN4KBKY2M7CGKDA&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.practicalkarate.co.uk%2Fbooks.html"]The Truth About Self Protection: Massad F. Ayoob: 0749522007998: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

This is a fine book for stuff often ignored by many trainers:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0440509009?tag=practkarat-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0440509009&adid=139FXYZ3CAG37KYER2CV&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.practicalkarate.co.uk%2Fbooks.html"]Amazon.com: Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane) (9780440509004): Gavin de Becker: Books[/ame]

 

My book list is here:
http://www.practicalkarate.co.uk/books.html

Scroll down for self protection.

I can't think of one good book that really covers everything per se at a standard I would be happy with. Different books specialise in different things.

As a 'cover all bases' book for people in the USA I think this book is one of the best:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0936279133?tag=practkarat-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0936279133&adid=11HKYDN4KBKY2M7CGKDA&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.practicalkarate.co.uk%2Fbooks.html"]Amazon.com: The Truth About Self Protection (0749522007998): Massad F. Ayoob: Books[/ame]

This is a fine book for stuff often ignored by many trainers:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0440509009?tag=practkarat-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0440509009&adid=139FXYZ3CAG37KYER2CV&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.practicalkarate.co.uk%2Fbooks.html"]Amazon.com: Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane) (9780440509004): Gavin de Becker: Books[/ame]

 

Hello John,

My advice for self defence:

1) Avoidence of dangerous enviroments etc
2) Awareness AKA being "switched on"
3) Forget self defence teach self OFFENSE!!!!!
4) Teach how to attack the attacker with just a few simple effective techniques
5) Teach all out aggression, fight to survive.
6) Dont teach any specific defenses against specific attacks
7) Use the KISS (Keep it simple) principle in all the training
8) All strikes, kicks etc to be non-telegraphed

You should be able to instruct this in about 8 hours or 1 day of teaching, get your students out of a "Defensive" mind set, only teach offensive skills combined with a positive attack the attacker survive at any cost mindset.

If you want anymore advice then please feel free to contact me.

Good luck.

 

you got some concepts right but in the wrong order.

1) environmental awareness
2) threat assessment/ avoidance (escape, pre- escalation)
3) verbal judo/ de- escalation
4a) escape
4b) improv weapons assessment (including body weapons)
5) contact
6) escape

my suggestion is to train as often and as close to reality as possible. train in street clothes. train in confined spaces. train in oddly lit places. we had a class where we were suppose to have a classroom session (lecture type) in an old warehouse. so we came in with just street clothes on. then the instructors came out shouting threats and attacking the students. that was close to real. after which video tapes were reviewed of our individual reactions. we did a debrief of the whole scenario.

ps: when we did the debrief, we noticed that there were quite a few of us who actually were able to escape. one girl didn't even enter the building bec she sensed something wrong. hahahaha.

 

shootdog

Hello Shootdog:

I did not place my "Suggestions" in any particular order it was just a few things to consider to assist the original thread, I hope it helped?

Best regards.

Steve

 

steve bioletti i was speaking to the original poster. not to you.

ok.

but the order in which it is presented represents the priority list and the order in which you train.

i hope this helps.

 

John, I know you said a lot of the recommendations were common sense but to be honest they aren't.

For example a friend of my was complaining about security in the subways. A female friend of his had taken her 11 year old daughter to some free event at a park and was returning home early, say 10 PM before the event was over. She and her daughter came upon a person in the subway station who was abusing himself down there. Luckily for her the train arrived just about then. He was going on about how terrible it was when I interrupted him and said, what the hell was she thinking wondering around a major city at night, by herself with an 11 year old girl, and then going into an underground subway station by themselves. Neither he nor she had thought she had done anything wrong. So, much of what is being posted is not common sense and need to be brought up. Some people may already understand what you are talking about but you might be surprised by how many don't.

 

It comes from not taking personal responsibility for your own safety.

It's everybody else's job to be nice and courteous, after all we have rights dam it!!!!


:bang:


Some people don't seem to understand that there are those out there who don't give a dam about them, their feelings or anything else beyond what they can get from them.

 

Thanks JWT. I read the Massad F. Ayoob reviews and apparently that book is still regarded as a Bible of sorts for SD training, even though many concepts are quite outdated now.

Thanks Steve, I appreciate it.

I like this breakdown quite a bit. I don't see any problems with it and I may steal it from you.

Haha, that's some serious Seven Samurai stuff right there. Sounds like a lot of fun. And I agree, as close to reality as possible.

You're right. What I regard as common sense most people are oblivious to on many topics. Perhaps it's particularly bad with SD because people's perceptions are shaped by TV and movies so heavily, and many people have never even faced real violence so they're oblivious to it's many warning signs.

 

So... why are you planning on teaching? Teaching is a labour of love. If your heart's not in it, I think the material is a distant second.

 

Teaching friends isn't quite as challenging for me as teaching strangers. I've recommended other avenues besides myself for her training, but she wants me to do it. She trusts me. And a friend asked me for help, so I'm going to provide it for her. I'm not the type to say no to my friends very often.

While I'm not comfortable teaching, I often do things I'm not comfortable doing until I become proficient at them. I have a phobia of heights and water (I've nearly died in the water many times) so I decided to deal with those phobias by taking up cliff diving. I still don't like heights or water, but I can cope with those fears much better now after forcing myself to address them. Teaching is another phobia (of sorts) of mine. As a small boy, when I was unable to perform a task well on the first try, I was often punished with extreme verbal and physical abuse. That lack of nurturing makes it hard for me to have patience with others at times, but that's a character flaw I've been trying to work on for years. I think teaching would force me to face it.

Since I stopped formally studying with and teaching others, I've felt guilty that I wasn't sharing a valuable skill set that I've been perfecting over a lifetime. I never had a choice in learning SD. It was pretty much my reality from the time I could walk. She has a choice though, and she wants to be proactive and learn to protect herself and her son. While I'm far from the best source for such training, she could do a lot worse than having me as a teacher too.

Also, I'm encouraging her to go with me and learn this RBSD system to bring to our area. I hope she'll enjoy the training and help me teach the system here. Otherwise, I hope I can give her enough MA foundation to make her own informed decisions about where she trains.

 

Solid suggestions so far, and might i also recommend utilising "Cooper's color code" as the basis for situational/environmental concerns

 

Will you teach SD against dogs too?


Osu!