I've been scheduled by my union at work to do a self defense class for the Women's group.

From the discussions I've had with the organizer I'm to give a talk and maybe show some defensive technique which is why I checked this forum a couple of months ago. I've got some time before I teach the class and I wanted to ask the ladies what or how they like having a class structured or what ever.

I've read some of the threads as to what techniques people like to teach but I'd like the women to maybe give me some insight into what they would like in a class.

While the first class I will be doing for the women's group will mainly be lecture and then some technique, it might evolve into a series of classes possibly I'm told. So with the series of classes in mind I ask the following.

1) Do you like hitting pads (impact drills)
2) Do you like covering a small amount of techniques with alot of reps.
3) Which would you like better discussion then go over a tehcnique or go over discussion in the first couple of lessons with technique and then go less talk and more techniques in later lessons. Or keep it pretty even talk and technique (whatever the combination throughout the series of classes).

Now I know you are all martial artists and you might like things now that you didn't like before (like hitting people/things) but I'm asking if you can think back to your begining classes. What would have helped you back then.

I know that in one class I can't do much with them, I also know that the vast majority of the women (probably 100%) won't take a martial arts class afterwards as well. I have no school so I'm not doing this as a feeder to my classes. I'm more concerned with trying to help teach them some self defense techniques/concepts etc. etc. that could help them.

My background 20yrs+ training and or teaching TKD, the FMAs, Hock Hochheim's combative systems, etc. etc.

Any input would be appreciated
Mark Lynn

In my oppinion, there are a few different ways for you to approach the situation. Its really going to depend on how things go in your first meeting with these ladies.

I will say this much though, I think hitting pads are a great idea. You need to be willing to hit if you're going to defend yourselves. If you're not willing to play dirty, and scratch and gouge eyes etc.. when your life is in danger, then you'll never escape, especially if your opponent/attacker is much bigger than you are. There are no rules out on the street, and if you think your life is in danger, everything goes.

As for the discussions, I'd say keep it about 50/50. You want to properly explain what it is thats going on, and then have them do what ever task it is they're training. Try and put them in scenarios, and see what their reactions might be. Simple fact of the matter is, that they need to be prepared at all times.

Give the ladies some realistic statistices from your area. In other words, tell them that in the past year ??% of women were attacked, only ??% survived because they faught back, the other ??% became victims, and of the ??% that were victims, only ??% went to authorities and reported their incident.

Some times, these are the types of things that hit home. For some others, it would be the fact that they know some one or of some one who's been through some thing similar, and they don't want to end up like that person.

Be straight forward and open. Let them ask whatever question they may have as silly as it may sound, if they're asking, its more than likely because its some thing of importance to them.

Sounds like you're already on your way to a great class plan. I like the idea about the pads. One thing to keep in mind though is to make sure that they understand how to properly hit the bags. If the people attending have no exp. then they can hurt themselves if they hit incorrectly.

I'd recommend staying away from things that are too fancy. Doing a wrist lock, IMO, is something that they probably wont be able to pick up that quick, due to the fact that the SD course is not that long. Teaching something practical that they're gonna be able to use, rather than have them sit there and try ti figure out the wrist lock is IMO gonna be much more productive.

If you have access to a red man suit, that is also an excellent tool to use. Putting the students through some realistic drills to get the adrenaline pumping is going to get them motivated.

Good luck!

Mike

Thanks for the idea of the red man suit. I just remembered that another instructor that I know has a FIST suit that I might be able to use. That might be an idea.

I have some hand held pads, Focus Mitts, and such. And actually some Wave Masters that I thought I could use to have the women hit. (that is depending upon how many people and if I can store them in a back room, I don't want to empty and fill them up each week).

I figured that I would probably take my BOB and have them strike him but again most of this depends the response and want of a class.

Mark

Originally posted by LadyDragon
In my oppinion, there are a few different ways for you to approach the situation. Its really going to depend on how things go in your first meeting with these ladies.

I will say this much though, I think hitting pads are a great idea. You need to be willing to hit if you're going to defend yourselves. If you're not willing to play dirty, and scratch and gouge eyes etc.. when your life is in danger, then you'll never escape, especially if your opponent/attacker is much bigger than you are. There are no rules out on the street, and if you think your life is in danger, everything goes.

As for the discussions, I'd say keep it about 50/50. You want to properly explain what it is thats going on, and then have them do what ever task it is they're training. Try and put them in scenarios, and see what their reactions might be. Simple fact of the matter is, that they need to be prepared at all times.

Give the ladies some realistic statistices from your area. In other words, tell them that in the past year ??% of women were attacked, only ??% survived because they faught back, the other ??% became victims, and of the ??% that were victims, only ??% went to authorities and reported their incident.

Some times, these are the types of things that hit home. For some others, it would be the fact that they know some one or of some one who's been through some thing similar, and they don't want to end up like that person.

Be straight forward and open. Let them ask whatever question they may have as silly as it may sound, if they're asking, its more than likely because its some thing of importance to them.

Thanks for the reply and input.

I thought about 50/50 for talk and physical techniques. However I had an idea that I would like to throw out here and get your opinon on if you don't mind.

On another thread I mentioned two stories one about a pervert and one about a stalker (there on the stalker thread pg 4). I was thinking about writing them up in a paper and than structing the class around different topics. Then passing out the story about the stalker say at the end of a class and then discuss it at the next class. Maybe have some simple questions to have the women respond to about the situations and use it for a discussion segment the next class. And then tie in the physical techniques the last part of class.

I thought this might be better and have the people learn more and be more interactive in class than just me reciting stats. Although stats are important and I planned to include some, but make the disscussion about the type of attacks the main focus.

Any input? Has anyone attended this type of a class or practicipated in this type of format?

Ultimately, your goal is to have them be active in what ever it is that you're going to have them doing. If any thing, you can have them close their eyes breifly and out them in a scenario. Let them think through it first, then have them try and do physically what it was that they had imagined. Some of what they think up might work. But then again, it might not, thats when you should intervene and explain to them why it wouldn't work, and how to better deal with the situation at hand.

No matter what, try and make it fun and interesting. Every one will probably be a lot more relaxed that way.

Originally posted by The Boar Man
On another thread I mentioned two stories one about a pervert and one about a stalker (there on the stalker thread pg 4). I was thinking about writing them up in a paper and than structing the class around different topics. Then passing out the story about the stalker say at the end of a class and then discuss it at the next class. Maybe have some simple questions to have the women respond to about the situations and use it for a discussion segment the next class. And then tie in the physical techniques the last part of class.
...
Any input? Has anyone attended this type of a class or practicipated in this type of format?

I teach this type of class as well. I teach drills and such for about 30 minutes and then do a 15 minute discussion. The discussion revolves around a variety of topics ranging from weapons attacks to rapes. I have left them with a story from a person that was attacked (Strong On Defense by Sanford Strong has several that are good to use). We then go into a discussion of what they did wrong, what they did right, and what things could have been done to prevent the attack in the first place. It's great because it opens the discussion up far more than statistics or me telling them what to do. Also, since it's first-hand information, not just a dry story from the newspaper, it provides a lot of detail about what they were thinking and going through emotionally.

WhiteBirch

Thanks for the input White Birch

I have that Sanford Strong book, haven't read it yet though. I picked it up at a half price book store. Is it any good?

Originally posted by The Boar Man
I have that Sanford Strong book, haven't read it yet though. I picked it up at a half price book store. Is it any good?

I thought it was great. It deals with basic self-defense rules (such as never go to location #2) and has a bunch of self-defense stories told from the survivor's viewpoint.

WhiteBirch

I've had a change of work schedule that allows for some free time so I'll make it a priority to take the time to sit down and read it when I have the chance.

I jst got done with reading a couple of John Douglas's/ Mark (?) books and I needed a break from the crime stuff. So I'm working on the history of the european sword now. But I'll make it a point to read Strong's book.

Mark

Reviving this as we've had some interest on Women's SD.

Sounds like you're already on your way to a great class plan. I like the idea about the pads

I agree.Pads are an excellent tool..


a red man suit, that is also an excellent tool to use

Another excellent teaching tool...

1) Do you like hitting pads (impact drills)
Not really, I prefer hitting people. I know that a lot of people think that you cannot go "all out" unless you hit the pads, since a person cannot take a full-impact strike. But taking strikes is also part of martial arts training. If you never feel a strike, you might freak out in a real conflict when someone hits you. While we do not go "all out" in my class in that we don't strike each other in the face so hard that anyone gets knocked out, we do effect takedowns with strikes and hit fairly hard to the body. Dealing with the pain and discomfort is part of training and this is something that even the beginners in my class must learn. But I guess this may be too extreme for a beginner class. I guess if you want to practice striking very hard to the face or to another vulnerable area like the kidneys, it's better to use pads than risk injuring your partner. At the same time, I think there is no substitute for seeing how a living body reacts to being hit.
2) Do you like covering a small amount of techniques with alot of reps.
Reps are good but I prefer a more general "theme" class, for example, strikes, and covering a great many topics on striking, from the basics, like proper alignment and placement of the fist, and working up to more advanced techniques like striking multiple opponents
3) Which would you like better discussion then go over a tehcnique or go over discussion in the first couple of lessons with technique and then go less talk and more techniques in later lessons. Or keep it pretty even talk and technique (whatever the combination throughout the series of classes).
I prefer that the instructor demonstrate the technique and then explain it, or simultaneously, but no explanations until we've seen the technique, then allow us to try it ourselves. I think extended discussion is not the best use of class time and should be done afterwards or individually to address questions one-on-one.
Regards,
Rachel