I think they're bullshit. Anyone can tell you to kick someone in the balls and run away, or buy pepper spray. Why would you pay someone to tell you that?
Updates
+1 y
My opinion is more or less formed by the fact that I know someone who was ripped off by one of these courses. They taught them to aim for the junk, slap the ears and sold them pepper spray after the class ended. I also could confirm that the telegraphing of these "self-defense" moves were extremely obvious and uncoordinated, probably taught by a guy who looked and acted like the karate instructor from Napoleon Dynamite.
Updates
+1 y
To be clear, I know how to defend myself. I've done judo and karate almost my whole life. I'm railing against the cashgrab throwaway courses that instill a false sense of confidence in women by teaching them impractical nonsense. Real technique takes study and repetition to develop, and that doesn't happen in 1 night at the rec center. I advocate any and all real defense or martial arts training.
What's your opinion on "women's self-defense" courses?
To an extent, I agree. Kicking someone who's half-hearted about causing trouble might immobilize him, but if someone is high on drugs or REALLY wants to harm you, a kick in the balls will do nothing. In fact, it might even leave you open for a counter and it might even enrage the attacker.
Also, being taught in a calm, serene, self-defense class doesn't prepare you for the brutality of a real fight. I've known plenty of black belts in the more ritualized martial arts who froze up in fear when thrown into a real fight - myself included. If men and women who have been learning martial arts for years still face fear in the face of violence, what more those have been to one or two self-defense classes?
Unless you've been taught specifically how to engage in a real fight - where people go down with one punch and where there are often always more than one assailant, and where nobody is going to stand around in a line waiting for you to get to them one-by-one - your best bet is to use whatever weapon you have on hand (even an umbrella) to stall the assailants, and then run as fast as you can, as far as you can.
There is one good thing about women's self-defense courses - it can give women confidence to handle themselves in an altercation, and it can also make them realize that the best bet is to always, always, always, run away. And it might also give women the confidence to look for more long-term training and conditioning to prepare themselves in case a real fight ever breaks out (rare, but it's like insurance - you hope you never have to be involved in one!)
Slapping the ears is a method to rupture the ear drums. I have heard it can actually kill someone. It sounds like your friend was not in a reputable class though. I have taught female friends to defend themselves mostly from abusive boyfriends. I taught eye, throat, button on the jaw for instant knock out, pressure points, locks, throws, holds, breaking holds, improvised weaponry, escape, disarmament and handgun tactics. I am not certified but I was able to teach some stuff to her. I also had her go to a certified course.
It definitely can't kill unless it's the 1800s and we don't have antibiotics for the resulting ear infection.
But rupturing the eardrums is a good way to destroy someone's equilibrium for a hot minute. A valid technique in theory, but the execution is difficult.
I've actually has an ear drum ruptured in a boxing fight. Stunned be for 3-4 seconds then fought another 3 rounds (probably shouldn’t have). It doesn’t mess your equilibrium. Just sounds like water in your ear.
It all depends on who you ask about the lethality of it. It definetly can cause bleeding for sure with enough force. That i know for a similar reason to 0112358 only it was sparring and it definetly didn't go another 3 rounds. Still feel bad I caused it. I recall he needed to get surgey done on the ear. Think it begins with a T. Basically to repair the large hole in the ear drum. Not sure the safety of that surgery but im sure at one point it was risky.
Not all self defense classes teach you that. I've been the female centric self-defense classes and they actually teach you how to get out from under people in rape situations, how to get yourself out of a corner if you are cornered, and other very helpful tactics (not all limited to balls and pepper spray) to defend yourself.
Those are underlying morality checks that are ingrained in our subconscious. Our own human empathy is the "don't rape" and "don't assault people" class.
When has there ever been 0% crime? Criminals will always exist - muggers, rapists, murderers etc. Telling people not to do it doesn't work, those kinds of people don't give a shit that what they're doing is wrong. This kind of thinking is ridiculously naive, I really can't understand why there are seemingly intelligent people who actually think this way, it's mind-boggling. I've seen interviews with feminists saying the same thing you're saying, that women shouldn't have to learn self defence because they should be able to go anywhere, wearing whatever they want, without being attacked. Well we should also not have to lock our doors to prevent burglary in an ideal world. We don't live in an ideal world and we never will. The worst thing is that this kind of thinking actually puts more women in danger than does teaching them self-defence.
If someone is so heinous as to attack a woman then no class is going to do a thing. You can choose to either be prepared for the imperfection of reality or live like the world is utopian. Keep in mind, though, that utopia literally means “nowhere” in Latin.
The problem is that you can't teach self defense in a day, much less a couple of hours. All you can really do is give an overview and some quick pointers - and that is what these classes are doing, and frankly it's probably all the attendees are paying for.
I'd guess that you would have to go to 6 months of twice a week classes to really have the beginnings of meaningful self defense techniques, and that is just a beginning. Most people aren't going to have that kind of dedication, free time, or money.
If all you learn in a one day class is some situational awareness, you have probably done pretty well - but you have to be realistic.
Most people can't even grasp the mentality of a criminal attacker - and how they are likely to show no mercy and no hesitation. You have to know and BELIEVE in advance that such people exist and that you might meet one on any random day, and you have to be prepared to act immediately, decisively, and without mercy - which means you will have to have thought it through IN ADVANCE and have made your decisions in advance, otherwise you will stand there and think about it and lose your chance to act and save yourself.
I agree. Most of these are bullshit. I have taught martial arts and most of the "schools" are utter BS money making factories. Pay $150 a month for three years and you get a black belt. BUT, only after we sell you a bunch of other classes and useless non-sense. You CANNOT prepare for a fight. They happen quickly, they are dynamic in nature, and not "move" is going to guarantee anything. Pepper spray is the worst thing to have. It's an aerosol. It moves with the wind. You can get sprayed yourself when using it. They don't tell you that on the packaging, or when selling it. The criminal element looks for those who they perceive as weak. Those who are not paying attention to their surroundings. The best defense you can have is to walk with confidence and pay attention. If it looks like you are going to cause problems for them, they will more than likely choose someone else. They don't want to get caught. In my opinion, 99% of all "self-defense" schools are bullshit. The name says it all. "Defense," if you are defending you are reacting. Which means you are behind the power curve. It should be self-offense, but that doesn't sell memberships.
In theory I think it's a good idea. But they need to have more than just know the moves. They have to have the courage to use them. I think this is where most women fail.
Also, the defender has to choose which move to use in a split second under pressure. This takes lots of practice over time. Just kicking a guy in the nads will not always work so the defender has to choose between a joint lock, eye gouge, ear clap, or something else.
Military training is not just about skills, but building up confidence and courage. Courage is not the absence of fear, it is managing fear to do the thing that needs to be done. That's why there is so much yelling at recruits. They need to get used to all the stress. In advanced training courses for special forces they use fake blood everywhere and some guy is going around spraying fake blood on people so their weapons become slippery. The trainees are also told to bind up an arm to simulate a wound and still be 100% effective using their weapons.
Not only that but there are lots of US judges that will put someone in jail for defending themselves. So that's always a risk the defender will go to jail based on a technicality. Too many judges ignore the INTENT of the law and allow criminals to get off based on technicalities.
It's bullshit... Everyone I'm sure has heard that story about that one girl that totally beat that one guy's ass i. e. Karate girl that broke guy's nose for touching her butt.
But let's be real... if that's true then all the men that actually would fuck with women like that are little, beta, manginas and they should consider some exercise... because I'm confident you'd have to search the outer limits for some outlyer that could get away from a normal guy like me.
To make it worse I was forced to take a 'women's self defence class' and it literally was bullshit. Usually it's just a woman that's going to hit you with the "I was raped story" which admittingly does pull the heart strings and shocks the soul with the sheer brutality of it. But the tactics taught was bullshit.
"IDK" maybe it's because I'm confident I'd knock any girl on this website out with a jab. I also think the type of men that resort to that kind of shit are that desperate for reasons of weakness to begin with (basically he's a puss, so women don't want to fuck him... thus he gets hard at the sight of a fat woman).
Bottom line, avoid the situations to begin with. I volunteered as one of those rape assistance dudes and let me tell you...9 times out of 10, a child could tell you what was going to happen in that situation. But then again, chick flicks follow the same haggard formula over and over and it gets treated as special.
Damn after your last update... I can't help but agree completely with that. I get tired of the haggard "some dude trying to rape you while he's drunk" scenario that gets played out. No... the guy that will attack you, break your face with a brick and take your purse, isn't even horny and he just wants your money... he's more worried about other people seeing him and chasing him down than getting some pussy.
Yes though on the repetition aspect and the fact that most of those "classes" are bullshit that won't help in the moment.
Do what I do. Wait for him to come home, on the bed with your head down and ass up, put a uttplugg or dildo into your vagina and tell him to put it up you butt. Have lube ready, butter works in a pinch. You might want to try anal by yourself. I rub my clit while doing it. Oh make your butt is clean and you haven't had a big meal recently. I had a serious accident while doing anal with a one night stand while drunk, the sheets got covered in crap as did he. Thankfully he used his credit card. A good tip i find is too while in the shower unscrew the shower head and stick the hosepipe up your butt with the water on ( not too hot or cold) and let the water fill up your anal cavity until you've an extreme urge to poop, run to the toilet quick as you can and let all the water out along with any poop. It takes a while and just when you think your done pooping more comes out. Do this 2-3 times, be sure to shower yourself down after when your sure your done pooping the water out because that water drips out of your butt still and stinks
Speaking as a black belt and instructor in Shotokan karate, I say that self-defence courses of a few hours, days, or even weeks are bullshit. To be able to take care of herself, a woman needs to be competent in some type of martial art. She needs to be able to kill or disable (permanently) a male attacker the first time that she hits him. She needs to be able engage, kill, or disable more than one male assailant simultaneously. That sort of skill level takes years of training at least three days per week. Most men on the street have no idea how to fight, but the difference in size, weight and strength between men and women means that if a woman hopes to survive she needs to be a dedicated life-long student of a martial art.
I’ve done self defense classes, both for women and regular ones. The ones for women are made especially for women. They are moves that do not require a lot of strength, but are for attacking target areas (such as the kidney, groin or face). they can be learned easily. I think they’re good, because they teach you how to behave on top of “fighting”. They teach you be loud, don’t make yourself a target etc.
However, they also generally make women think they can take a fully grown man when it comes to it. I might know a few moves and am pretty good at fighting, but if a 30 yo man tries to rape me, i’m going to be overpowered. They fail to mention that a lot of the time, that the goal is to get away or get attention from a bystander.
yeah. if the only lesson is kick in the balls or spray pepper spray then i'd demand my money back. a lot of self defenses teach take down maneuvers, ways to disengage someone, etc
As someone who has been in plenty of fights during high school I get pretty annoyed when people are actually putting people at risk by giving them a false sense of security. It's true, groin shots for either gender could end a fight, but what if someone is fighting you in a stance that is about 30 degrees? What if that target is constantly moving? What if the person is much taller and your leg can't reach a groin shot? What if this person is a grappler? Then you also have to take the consideration of the adrenaline blocking the pain of a groin shot out or just missing which Is more than common. In real fights 90% of the time they never go as planned. For my mom or any other women in my family I just tell them get pepper spray. It doesn't matter how much pain you can take. If that stuff is in your eyes it's over.
I teach classes about once a year at a local YMCA... I have a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo.
My classes last a total of 6 hours, an hour a week... and I assure you that I teach more than what you say.
I'd also add that the one guy who made the mistake of trying to attack me about 8 years ago ended up needing medical care when I was done with him... I ignore my own advise... disable your attacker and run like hell and beat the crap out of him.
Ha yeah fuck them, just learn a martial art, get pepper spray, I've sprayed myself and it was worse than a dislocated knee, I make my best friend (female) keep my mace on her and even as a guy always have my butterfly knife (high knife and glass violence where I'm from so its almost standard to have a blade in case someone pulls one on you)
I'm a martial artist. If this class is called "Self-Defense for Women" then they are just being sexist because any martial art works for both genders/sexes. There are just as many female criminals as male. But our gynocentric society tries to tell people otherwise. Anyway, it's not about hitting the balls or carrying pepper spray. It's a lot more than that. A lot more. I've done it for years and have experience. It's not about running away. It starts with learning about how to prevent injuring yourself and how to do basic acts faster and more efficiently. Then comes how to block attacks and take your attacker down, how to use their own energy against them, how to keep them down so you can call police and/or run away. And it's a sport to improve your body. It's like a more fun and active way of working out.
I think as long as there's some certification or checking up on the people that do this, it's fine. A friend used to teach a class or would volunteer as the padded demo attacker guy. He's huge. And he's a cop, so I think he knows a little something about certain types of defense.
Scams are certainly possible, but I don't think all of them are scams. Of course, I think there should also be some "men's defense classes" - for little dudes, like me. I'm 5'7, constantly got beat up in till end of high school. Of course, I'd probably also want to add "working out" to the whole repertoire. I'd probably (if I had the money) take defense classes, etc. Of course, I try to be careful anyway. Watch surroundings, keep my cell phone on me, open, and ready to dial... look around... park in well lit areas... hell, I watch my drinks like a hawk. If I look away, I my drink is covered. I'd still like something that might be for dudes, though.
I see that you're not a fan of it but if you don't exercise or do any type of strength training or learn any kind of self defense then you're a sitting duck. Have you ever noticed at night time women never go out by themselves alone in America? very very rare so why go to the gym and strengthen your muscles and learn self-defense it could save your life one day so yes I am all up for it. I think that must really suck that women can never go out by themselves at night they have to wait to have a friend around. If you want to do something then walk out your house and do it without the fear of being messed with because you can back it up once you've been trained properly. Of course there's another side to it when carrying a handgun but that's a whole other subject
They do work, Krav Maga does work but only if you train it for years and your body can move fast and is strong.
But by learning just it’s ‘basics’, you can’t really be anything better.
You already know you should try to attack guy in the family jewels (testicles/balls) lol and other basic things that you already know. You shouldn’t pay just to learn that
So to sum it up, You need to be dedicated to it and your body should be in suitable shape otherwise you shouldn’t ‘learn’ it, you already know those basics
Many self defense courses are frauds or impractical. It’s way better to learn an actual martial art like Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Sambo or Krav Maga. Just make sure the instructors have legitimate credentials.
However, martial arts are usually meant for one on one confrontations. Once you’re outnumbered, it’s way too risky to solely rely on martial arts to defend yourself. This is why it’s also good to carry some kind of weapon that’s legal. Unfortunately some places like California put ridiculous restrictions on what you can carry.
I think women’s self defense courses give some good tips and teach you a couple of moves to protect yourself, but overall not helpful. If one wants to learn self defense, I recommend enrolling in martial art classes where they teach you proper techniques on self defense.
Self defense courses in general are really helpful, you will learn what situations could happen and what you could do in those situations and get mentally fit When it happens you're mentally ready to actually do something and also you know what to do and definitely have a greater chance Also some people can't hit someone else, they actively have to train to really hit someone
I think it's good for anybody to be prepared for a situation where they'd have to defend themselves. So womens self defence classes is something i can only applaud, unfortunately there'll always be those who exploit a good idea and turn it into rubbish. Im confident there'll be plenty of usefull, better classes who do contribute to your personal safety.
Most Helpful Opinions