Creating self defence courses for women

Discussion in 'Women's Self Defence' started by John Titchen, Oct 16, 2014.

  1. John Titchen

    John Titchen Still Learning Supporter

    Every year I deliver a number of single sex and (where my host will not allow me to deliver two different courses) mixed sex personal safety and self defence courses or lectures. Another moderator here at Martial Arts Planet recently asked me to write a short article about how I approach the subject of female self defence. The subject is far too large to sum up in a single article, but what I can do is give my opinions on the starting points for creating a worthwhile course.

    Planning and Preparation

    1. Know your audience.

    2. Trainers and the elephants in the room.

    3. Teaching style.


    Personal Safety and Self Defence – the mental framework


    1. Use of force and the law.
    5. Avoidance strategies.
    6. Deterrence strategies.


    Self Defence – the physical framework



    1. Biomechanics and weak points of the human body.
    3. Impact training.
    4. Paired work based on HAOV (habitual acts of violence) to build confidence.
    5. Optional participation in scenario training.
  2. Hannibal


    Good stuff as always John!
  3. Indie12

    Indie12 Valued Member

    As a fellow Women's Self Defense Instructor, I must say this is very impressive!!
  4. boothead

    boothead New Member

    That's a great overview.

    You mention a huge body of high quality literature (too much to mention). Could you pick out a few high points?

    I'd assume Gavin De Becker, Rory Miller and Geoff Thompson would be among them, could you recommend any other reading?
  5. John Titchen

    John Titchen Still Learning Supporter

    In addition to those you mention I would suggest as a starting point books by Grossman, Asken, Siddle and Christensen. I would actually place those ahead of Thompson and Miller, but that is a personal choice.

    Those predominantly give you starting points for psychology and physiology as it relates to aggression and violence. Do not neglect official violent crime literature pertaining to women.
  6. marjudo

    marjudo New Member

    Great idea. With all aggression against women today.
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2017
  7. Tom bayley

    Tom bayley Valued Member

    How much time/emphasis would you spend on talking about threats from strangers? and how much about threats from people that are known (people who may be trusted or in positions of authority etc)?

    What in your mind are the key differences in approaches to handling threats from strangers and threats from known individuals?

    Personally I feel competent to discuss appropriate strategies for threats from strangers but as a man I feel that I lack the life experience to properly understand and contextualize appropriate strategies to cope with aggressive sexual advances from people who are known.
  8. Adrastia

    Adrastia Valued Member

    Tom - are you planning to take this on? Why, if you lack the 'life experience, understanding and ability' ? Is this a theoretical question or practical preparation? When you've understood this more, I think you'll see what to do.

    Maybe first, spend a substantial amount of time researching and understanding 'sexual advances from people who are known' and learn what 'aggressive' means in this context. That may mean a year at least, maybe more.

    Start here perhaps: a sample of reality for women (and young men):
    Read as many pages as you can.

    Here's a good indicator of what one should know and be able to do successfully:

    with respect, A
  9. Adrastia

    Adrastia Valued Member

  10. Tom bayley

    Tom bayley Valued Member

    Thanks for the links very helpful. I did look at doing this a while ago. At the time I felt that I was not necessarily the right person for the job. It was the complexity of the underlying issues /situations.

    I appreciate that a self defense class on its own cannot realistically address many of these. I also appreciate that a self defense classes can have a beneficial impact along side other types of support.

    adrastia, For you, how do self defense classes fit in with other types of support? What kind of positive things do self defense classes offer? And why do you feel these can be helpful?
  11. wonglongwingchu

    wonglongwingchu Valued Member

    Great article John. Planning to do a seminar soon. This would come in handy, thanks :)
  12. Martinroy

    Martinroy Valued Member

    As an instructor, I must say this course would be perfect. Because it's different from what i was expecting.
    Thanks for sharing!
  13. Tom bayley

    Tom bayley Valued Member

    John can you give an idea of how much time you would expect to take to cover the above coarse?

    Also what would be the intended learning outcomes and how would these outcomes be assessed?

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