Published: October 05, 2007 10:13 am         

Going through the exercise

No one shows for self-defense course but class members go through exercise

The schedule for Thursday’s Stillwater Combatives Center martial arts lessons was supposed to have a two-hour block for community members to come in and participate in Project Community Awareness - a free self defense course.

After no one walked through the door, senior instructor and founder of SCC, Cody Scott, decided to go through with the course as scheduled. The only difference was that it was members of the center that learned different defensive techniques and preventative measures to avoid personal attacks.

“The key is making yourself aware of the situations you could be in,” said SCC Director, Adam Hull. “We provide them with the little things they can do.”

Hull gave an example of a “little thing” that you can do when returning to your car in a dark parking lot. Rather than fumbling around for your keys and making yourself an easy target, have your keys prepared and ready by the time you reach your car.

“They are looking for someone who is unaware,” said Hull. “We are not going to teach a way to muscle out of a situation. It is technique over brawn.”

After stretching, going through some punches, kicks, blocks and stance work, the class was ready for Scott to demonstrate some on the defensive techniques (some of which turned a bit offensive). He grabbed a volunteer from his class and walked everyone through some of their options to avoid becoming a victim.

When some is attempting to grab or attack you, “you have to make a decision,” Scott told the class. “Check - stun - or kill. What is the correct answer. There is not one.”

Every scenario will require a personal decision on how to escape it, he said. Level 1 of self defense is to simply “check” the attacker.

“I’m going to match his force, with my force,” Scott explained.

When an attacker approaches, he simply leaned in and pushed the shoulder or chest away from himself to deflect the attack - that is the check. Level 2 is to “stun” the attacker. To do this, Scott explained that the victim must check to attacker, then strike him/or, hopefully ending the situation without further damage.

Level 3 is to “kill,” which is a strike to the neck which will certainly diffuse the situation. He explained that some of his students may not want to hurt anyone, rather just stop the attacker from hurting them.

However, “they may hurt you in a way that won’t just leave a bruise,” Scott said to the class.

After several hands-on activities, the SCC members have a better idea of how to defend themselves in any sticky situation. Aside from a physical defense, Scott feels that the confidence that his class gained from the knowledge of self defense will build self confidence as well.

“No one has to live in fear,” Scott said. “Fear can be many things - speaking up, or being physically hurt. This doesn’t just teach self defense, but builds that self confidence.”

     

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