by Damian Ross
Founder, The Self Defense Company
So you took a women’s self defense class. I’m sure it made you feel good an impowered. I’m sure you and your fellow classmates felt better for taking it.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but training against another women in self defense just isn’t realistic and there is NO DIFFERENCE between self defense for men and women the same goes for young and old injured and healthy because…
Self defense is ALWAYS the smaller and weaker versus the bigger and stronger.
Self defense is ALWAYS you alone versus MULTIPLE attackers.
Self defense is ALWAYS you alone versus ARMED attackers.
Attackers target victims whom they think they can impose their will. They DO NOT want a fair fight.
If a defensive tactic works for a woman, it will work for a man – in other words, if it works for someone smaller and weaker it’ll work for someone bigger and stronger.
Why would you waste your energy on something that requires MORE energy???
And not only are “special techniques for women” redundant – women’s only self defense classes AREN’T DOING YOU ANY GOOD.
Because the overwhelming majority of women are ATTACKED BY LARGER AND STRONGER MEN.
So practicing against another woman is just impractical.
We all know how I feel about partner training for self defense, but if you must, at least have your partner resemble the thing that’s going to try to rape, assault and kill you.
The same goes for the elderly and the injured. Training against another senior citizen may make you feel comfortable…but it’s not going to help you.
Since your need for SELF DEFENSE IS CONSTANT, you must constantly adapt your current physical ability to meet that need. (whatever your condition).
Out of shape?…YOUR ATTACKER DOESN’T CARE.
Older?…YOUR ATTACKER DOESN’T CARE.
Pregnant?…YOUR ATTACKER DOESN’T CARE.
Broke your arm?…YOUR ATTACKER DOESN’T CARE.
If you can leave your house, you better be able to defend yourself.
Oh and here’s a news flash….
When you’re older, smaller, weaker or injured your chances of being attacked increase tremendously.
You may change but your ATTACKER NEVER DOES!!!! He’s still going to be bigger, stronger, and have friends to help him.
Plan to meet this person(s) because at the end of the day…we all should train like women.
Train Honestly,
Damian
The Self Defense Company/Bodyguard
The problem with this article is that you aren’t a woman, nor do you understand women. If you did, you would understand why there are these classes.
Many women do not feel comfortable training with men. So they never will. Women’s self-defense classes are good because they help them become comfortable in that environment.
I agree that one needs to train realistically. I’m a Marine and striker. However, never training for fear of training with assholes is a fear for many women.
Is it better to have no training or to find some way to get women’s feet in the door?
Angela, I have trained others in martial arts and self defense for the past 23 years. This includes men, women and children. Though I am not a woman, I think that with my experience in training women over two decades, I can safely say that I understand the challenges that women have in accessing training for self defense. You are correct when you say many women do not feel comfortable training with men. We will train women in their own self defense classes here, but eventually progressing them into defending themselves against a male attacker. The progression has to be handled professionally in order to build confidence and capability in the female student. If done correctly a woman will find they are able to defend themselves. If a woman only practices her self defense with other women there will always be a doubt concerning defense against a male. I think that this is what the author was trying to express. Not that a Women’s Self Defense class is nonsense, but that it must address the reality of a male attacker in any such class.
Semper Fi Marine.