First off, my apologies if this is in the wrong section... mods please feel free to move it to a more appropriate location... 'ppreciate it.
OK, so a friend of mine's coworker got mugged in a parking lot last night while getting some medication for her daughter. Got beaten up pretty badly, but she'll be okay (physically anyway). My friend and I have now been charged with teaching all the other employees a little about self defense. We're talking approximately 8 people, all women, most mid-twenties, some with their heads in the clouds (which I suspect is the main cause of this mugging). Here are my thoughts:
- I'm not a trained instructor, I've never been in a fight. I have managed to escape several possible situations by using my noodle and my feet.
- Because I'm not a trained instructor, I'm going to be laying the ol' disclaimers on VERY heavily. I fully intend to inform them to seek actual training through an accredited school (any ideas there, btw?) and that, while I'm going to give them the best knowledge I have, it may not be perfect. They will know that I expect them to think these things through on their own and form some of their own conclusions as well.
- Some of them are anti-gun... I'll see what I can do about that. But I don't want them carrying "because I told 'em to" knowing full well that they aren't going to be able to use it in a confrontation. I will at least try to plant the seed, though, and point them to someone that can answer their questions (or a forum, perhaps. )
- Pepper spray seems to be wanted by most... I like fox labs personally, any other opinions?
- Some basic self defense strikes (eyes mostly, throat if possible, ... I'll probably put some tempering on the old "go for the groin" approach).
- Mostly though, what I intend to talk about is situational awareness and attitude. Personally, I think it's somewhere around a 60/20/20 percent situational awareness/attitude/defensive skills division... I think the SA and attitude are what these people probably need most... of course, I reserve final judgment until later.
So what do y'all think? Any other areas to cover? Any other disclaimers to include? Opinions on specific products/techniques/ideas? I appreciate any and all input on this one... it's definitely going to be a long, hard road.
OK, so a friend of mine's coworker got mugged in a parking lot last night while getting some medication for her daughter. Got beaten up pretty badly, but she'll be okay (physically anyway). My friend and I have now been charged with teaching all the other employees a little about self defense. We're talking approximately 8 people, all women, most mid-twenties, some with their heads in the clouds (which I suspect is the main cause of this mugging). Here are my thoughts:
- I'm not a trained instructor, I've never been in a fight. I have managed to escape several possible situations by using my noodle and my feet.
- Because I'm not a trained instructor, I'm going to be laying the ol' disclaimers on VERY heavily. I fully intend to inform them to seek actual training through an accredited school (any ideas there, btw?) and that, while I'm going to give them the best knowledge I have, it may not be perfect. They will know that I expect them to think these things through on their own and form some of their own conclusions as well.
- Some of them are anti-gun... I'll see what I can do about that. But I don't want them carrying "because I told 'em to" knowing full well that they aren't going to be able to use it in a confrontation. I will at least try to plant the seed, though, and point them to someone that can answer their questions (or a forum, perhaps. )
- Pepper spray seems to be wanted by most... I like fox labs personally, any other opinions?
- Some basic self defense strikes (eyes mostly, throat if possible, ... I'll probably put some tempering on the old "go for the groin" approach).
- Mostly though, what I intend to talk about is situational awareness and attitude. Personally, I think it's somewhere around a 60/20/20 percent situational awareness/attitude/defensive skills division... I think the SA and attitude are what these people probably need most... of course, I reserve final judgment until later.
So what do y'all think? Any other areas to cover? Any other disclaimers to include? Opinions on specific products/techniques/ideas? I appreciate any and all input on this one... it's definitely going to be a long, hard road.