I held my first women's self-defense class

[sensei8]

I was reading a blog a while back by a police officer who also ran a jujitsu dojo. He investigated sex crimes.

He wrote that every Friday and Saturday night, before his teenage daughter goes out, she has to escape his mount and apply either a joint lock or choke that he can't get out of. She isn't allowed to leave until she does it. His pre-teen daughter has to escape a wrist grab before she's allowed to leave without a parent.

He wrote that his non-police friends and family make fun of him for it. His response - if they saw what I see on a regular basis, they'd do the same.

Makes you think. If I can find the blog, I'll post a link.

This is awesome!

YES...it is awesome!

[liger]

I was reading a blog a while back by a police officer who also ran a jujitsu dojo. He investigated sex crimes.

He wrote that every Friday and Saturday night, before his teenage daughter goes out, she has to escape his mount and apply either a joint lock or choke that he can't get out of. She isn't allowed to leave until she does it. His pre-teen daughter has to escape a wrist grab before she's allowed to leave without a parent.

He wrote that his non-police friends and family make fun of him for it. His response - if they saw what I see on a regular basis, they'd do the same.

Makes you think. If I can find the blog, I'll post a link.

This is awesome!

YES...it is awesome!

Love this idea. May have to do on my daughter.

[Alan Armstrong]

This is a very good and worthwhile topic to continue to build upon. What I believe strongly that women should learn how to become escape martial artists. Also to be more aware of the situation and or location they are in. Women have most times the element of surprise on there side. Which is a ticket to get out of a bad situation fast. A note SD targets are places or areas that are not able to be toughened up with weights or exercises such as eyes, ears, toes and so on. Ordinary everyday objects are very effective as a weapon. A pen or pin can be a surprise weapon if need be. Being creative with SD can be used depending on things at hand. How many fight have been won by using a simple rock or stick. I have participated in SD classes for woman and honestly I don't agree with the instructions given. The reason I don't agree is that classroom situations are nothing like the real thing and instructors may have never been in a real fight. As I've been in many real fights I know from experience what to expect. These SD classes for woman should be offered in the school system. Why wait till being an adult to learn these things. Smaller men should also be included in this topic.

[Luther unleashed]

This is a very good and worthwhile topic to continue to build upon. What I believe strongly that women should learn how to become escape martial artists. Also to be more aware of the situation and or location they are in. Women have most times the element of surprise on there side. Which is a ticket to get out of a bad situation fast. A note SD targets are places or areas that are not able to be toughened up with weights or exercises such as eyes, ears, toes and so on. Ordinary everyday objects are very effective as a weapon. A pen or pin can be a surprise weapon if need be. Being creative with SD can be used depending on things at hand. How many fight have been won by using a simple rock or stick. I have participated in SD classes for woman and honestly I don't agree with the instructions given. The reason I don't agree is that classroom situations are nothing like the real thing and instructors may have never been in a real fight. As I've been in many real fights I know from experience what to expect. These SD classes for woman should be offered in the school system. Why wait till being an adult to learn these things. Smaller men should also be included in this topic.

I agree these are excellent points you make. You also stated smaller men should be included, I always say my aim is to teach a smaller/weaker person these things. Some of what I try and get across can also work for children. Thanks for the solid post though!

[Alan Armstrong]

If the person you are teaching self defense, (man or woman) doesn't have the right attitude or aptitude, it doesn't matter what technique you show or practice with them. They need to tap in to their own self preservation or the protective part of their nature first.

A woman will run in to a burning building to save a child. This is the self sacrificing aspect I'm trying to convey.

[bushido_man96]

That mindset is the hardest thing to teach, and it is so much a part of person's attitude and demeanor, too. Its one of the biggest challenges I teaching self-defense.

[Montana]

My $.02 worth.

IMO teaching women techniques to down a man is not a very effective method of teaching them how to defend themselves. sure, it's not a BAD idea, but not the BEST idea.

Take for example a 100-140lb woman with no experience. Have an average guy 180-200 lbs SERIOUSLY bear hug her from behind. Can she escape? Likely NOT! Men are physically stronger than women, it's a fact. There are videos on UTUBE of average men with ZERO FORMAL TRAINING attacking BLACK BELT WOMEN, and subduing them. Your average man with no training is a better fighter than the vast majority of black belt trained women.

The solution? Women need to learn to be AWARE! Aware of their surroundings, aware of their situation, and aware of their options.

To any ladies reading this, please don't be offended, but sometimes you do some really stupid things and set yourself up for DISASTER! Here's a few things that come to mind that make you, a woman, a target.

1. got a vanity plate on your car? Like CUTIE, HOTTIE, SUSIE, SUGAR, etc? GET RID OF IT! You go to Walmart, grocery store,park, etc and your car makes you a target because it spells GIRL/potential target on your license plate!

2. Got foofoo crap hanging from your car mirror? Feathers, crystals, etc? Bumper stickers proclaiming GIRL POWER or such? GET RID OF THEM! They make you a target!

3. When you drive into a parking lot, be aware of where you park and what/who's around you. Anybody suspicious looking, park elsewhere. Be AWARE of your surroundings!

4. PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY WHEN YOU'RE WALKING FROM A CAR TO THE STORE, AND BACK OUT AGAIN! 

I could go on and on about this because I see it every day.