The Aim

At the end of the course, I hope to have equipped you with the skills to avoid a situation where self defence is needed and with the ability to escape a threatening situation through using words or your techniques.

Timing, movement and opposites?

The thinking behind the key parts of timing, movement and opposites are as follows. The timing element; learning the self defence techniques so that they can be performed at the right time but also together rather than in a step by step manner as initially learnt.

Movement is vital, as if you move you are harder to hit, grab or overwhelm. Also, combining this with a technique you empower your application with energy (force) from your entire body volumising the strength of the technique.

Where as, opposites is related to using energy in one direction combined with energy going in the other direction too. This is employed to break holds, grabs and joints.

The following bullet points can be used as a quick reminder once you have covered these parts within the course.

Escaping grabs and creating distance.

Escaping grabs is easily done when you think simply.

1. Where is the gate way (weak point).

2. Use quick and meaningful actions.

3. Always remember, no matter where they grab you, you are still able to move.

Creating distance is easier than you think and is subtle too.

1. Keep your own personal space by being assertive and looking confident.

2. Also talk clearly and loudly so people do not need to step towards you to hear you.

3. Position yourself between the exit and those you are with.

4. Step back to lean slightly on your back foot, this gives you a position to move easily from and creates more distance.

Simple strikes and where to strike

1. Think quick, multiple strikes. BUT move straight away!

2. Use any hard part of your body.

3. Strike through the target.

4. Use your whole body weight behind the strike.

Where to strike all depends on the level of self defence needed.

As a rough guide;

Controlled level - No physical threat, no contact from the threatening person.

Result - Use voice and strong simple commands such as ‘No!” or ‘Stop!”

Transition level - Physical contact is looking likely but not a major situation YET!

Results - Lean back ready to move. If needed take away sight. Look to strike/flick eyes or strike the nose.

Low level threat - Physical contact is made through a light grab.

Result - Use command words and use a simple escape strategy of finding the gateway.

Medium level threat - Passed verbal, now strong physical force applied from attacker.

Result - Take sight away and disable movement. Strikes as above while incorporating a kick to their groin or knee. Be aware, breaking the knee could easily mean the attacker will never walk again unaided.

Final level threat - A question of act or die.

The techniques and actions for this level will be covered in future courses. People will have to attended previous level course/s to attend the future events.

Be aware :

Alcohol and drugs can make people more susceptible to strikes to vital areas causing less force needed to cause fatal injuries.

We can not prepare for the unknown, but we can prepare to adapt.

Being assertive with your attitude

Your attitude and persona play an important role, you do not have to change who you are but be ready to apply some key points.

1) Don’t make yourself an easy target. Walk with confidence and hold a controlled attitude. Many attackers enjoy seeing your fear and panic so keep controlled, although this is difficult it could be a life saver.

2) Control yourself and you can control the situation. The best way to control your adrenaline (known as the fight or flight hormone) is to control your breathing. Avoid holding your breathe. SHOUT!

3) Don’t behave like a victim. Be firm and speak loudly if you are being approached or molested.

Remember, assertiveness means confidence along with positive body language.

The best way to achieve confidence is to be prepared with the knowledge of what to do in a self defence situation. Learn and practise so you are able to apply!

Knowledge

Your knowledge will grow from the course and from practising situations and techniques regularly. The more comfortable you are when practising them the quicker you will react with them in an actual situation.

1. Understand the technique. Don’t say ’that will do.” Practise!

2. Keep up your knowledge and practise as regularly as possible.

3. Enjoy gaining this knowledge. Hopefully you will never need to use these skills but you will find that our confidence will grow and this will feed in to your everyday life too.

4. Become comfortable with the uncomfortable.

What to do after the course?

If you have enjoyed the self defence course and would like to pursue things further then you have several options. In forth coming months there will more self defence courses, which will go over elements of this course and move in to new territory.

Or you could join a good martial arts club, it is less scary than you think. The self defence course has been based on techniques from shotokan karate, aikido, judo and my own research.

I run sessions in all 3 arts across the week. Check them out at social media pages.

For further information please feel free to contact me (Jack Procter) via the following;

Thank you for your time, effort and involvement this evening.

Sincerely,

Jack Procter.