SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING FOR WOMEN

Women-only self-defense classes exist to make all the participants comfortable and typically role plays involving a heavily padded male aggressor. Female participants practice defensive oral de-escalation skills and physical techniques.

Scenario-Based Training

Different assault scenarios are played out, with the attacker orally and/or physically attacking students. The padded attacker allows students the opportunity to practice full power, full contact defense techniques. Decision making under high pressure situations are taught.

Scenario-based training simulates the emotionally charged nature of attacks, and how to react in an adrenalized state. This is important because when attacked, fear sets in, and unless you’ve been trained to automatically respond when pumped with adrenaline, you might freeze. The best training is one that simulate the real experience.

A popular type of such scenario-based self-defense training for women is Model Mugging or Impact, with several schools across the United States and Europe.

What To Look For in a Class

Maximum retention and muscle memory is obtained when the course is spread out over several weeks, rather than an intensive weekend.

Participants should be comfortable asking any time of question. The quality of the training comes down from the quality of the teacher. Does he or she sensitively answer your questions? Are the strategies and techniques tailored for someone of smaller stature and little fighting experience? Is regular performance feedback given?

Practice

It is not enough to take a class, read a book, or watch a video. You must practice. The classes offer that opportunity, but to effectively retain the learning, you must practice periodically to set them into your muscle memory.

Practice:

• Role-playing and scenarios
• Techniques
• Mindsetting

One of the antidotes to fear is confidence from practice and training. When attacked, your subconscious needs to automatically recognize what is going on and respond appropriately.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Books Women's self-defense books. Includes recommended books.
• Videos Women's self-defense DVDs and videos serve as excellent supplemental learning tools. Learn at your own pace in the comfort of your home.
• Training Live women's self-defense training from qualified instructors allows more personalized training, technique correction, and practice with partners.
• Information Additional websites that provide women's self-defense information.
• More Articles Read more women's self-defense articles from our library.