Self Defense?

Question

I am a self defense instructor for the agency that I work for. I have been asked to teach self defense to a local sorority. Should I teach them some of lethal blows I instruct with my fellow deputies, or keep it pretty basic. They have had a stalker in the area lately.

I have already decided to include pressure points, the brachial plexus spots and the psychology of self defense. I am just curious. This is one of my first classes that is not full of certified peace officers and military personel.

In referense to "Dave" -

We need self defense as law enforcement officers, becasue sometimes all we can rely on is hand to hand defense. There are times that we are critisized for using our weapon. If someone attacks us or goes for our weapon, we have the right to use any force necessary to get full control back. 87% of all officers shot in the line of duty are killed by their own weapon. Self defense as a deputy is as essential as our handcuffs.

Answer 1

This going to be an on going class or just a few classes and that's it? Either way you should start with simple, easy to execute moves that will quickly take an attacker down. Pressure points are a great place to start. Keep it simple, keep it realistic. Perhaps take a female officer with you to demonstrate the moves on you to kind of get it in their minds that a smaller female does indeed have a chance of executing these moves against a much bigger and stronger male.

Answer 2

We don't get any further than "stun and run" tactics. Most of what we teach is safety strategies. For example, try to get security guards to escort you at night in empty parking lots, don't try and get into your car when a suspicious van is parked with its sliding door facing your door, don't walk down dark allies, don't travel alone at night, let people know when you are leaving, where you are going and how long it will take you to get there. We also advise them to carry whistles instead of self-defense items such as mace or kubatons. You could easily do a one hour class on safety strategies and then add another 30 minutes for "stun and run" tactics.

Answer 3

You should never teach anyone lethal blows as there are hardly any scenarios where lethal force would be necessary. It would be much better to teach basic self defense moves such as how to get out of an attackers grasp, attack, and run. The self defense training I had in high school electives alone was enough to floor all of my friends.

Answer 4

except for the kick - to use in an emergency no. Without real pratice they could hurt themselfs on other moves or belief they are stronger then they maybe.
A little more then the basics are is a good start - unless they want to enroll in multi classes. Remind them even if they know a few moves the bad guy may know a few also.

Answer 5

It doesn't matter what you teach them they will freeze at the moment of truth.You should know that a citizen has the legal obligation to retreat from danger where as a cop has the legal obligation to advance. Teach them to escape and how to be safe not stand and fight I taught officer safety and survival to hundreds of new cops, and even with the right mind set cops get killed.Sorority girls yeah right strikes fear in my heart

Answer 6

Keep it simple (stun, yell, & run) -- if you introduce lethal force, then you are giving them potential legal problems if they use it. Besides, overconfidence is negative when you are tipsy, in a dark alley and some 250 lb. brute comes walking up towards you with a concealed weapon.

Answer 7

I would teach them to disengage quickly.
Keep in mind they will likely be scared, alone, and first-time combatants.
They may be tired, surprised, or under the influence of intoxicants.
I would teach them two or three moves and repeat them over and over again.
Awareness and prevention should be stressed as well.
Think Krav Maga rather than ninjitsu.

Answer 8

First you have to ask, even if being attacked will they opt for a lethal (killing) blow, alot of females just can't. keep it simple, teach them to go for the throat, privates, instep, etc. But most importantly tell them "Never give up, Never stop fighting"

Answer 9

Bless you for being part of the solution!

I guess if it were me fearing for my safety, I'd want to not only know the pressure points, and the maneuver's to get myself out of a tight, horrible situation, but I'd want to know how to avoid it too.

If you research some of the back cases on assaults and abductions, one common denominator seems to be the attacker going for the throat. I have three friends who have each been attacked, and in each of their cases, their attacker tried to choke them. I would think that one of the ones I'd want to know, and be comfortable with knowing is how to get out of it when they've got your throat...

Again...kudo's for the work you do. If only everyone in the US could be part of the solution...we'd have no problems!

Answer 10

Personally i hope that you would not go too far in teaching others as much as you do police officers.A lot of violaters already know enough self defense.That (as you know) is why we have to use other means. Then we get into trouble.A lot of the general public do not realize how hard it is to apprehend some of the violaters.
Thanks Tom B