Short Women’s Self Defense Classes

Short self-defense courses often teach moves that apply martial arts techniques to specific situations but do not always carry over realistically to situations involving criminal behavior. The types of self-defense training and courses vary in content and length, ranging from a couple of hours to one or two days spread over several weeks.

These types of short self-defense programs may not be based upon an assessment of the criminal conditions that are common threats women fear and face. The martial arts may not align with the Five Principles of Self Defense.

Most self-defense instructors are committed to assisting their students, but their background and education about violence against women and criminal behavior may be limited. The most notable indicator of limited training is teaching women to “square off” or assume a combative stance, which can lead to dangerous and escalating outcomes. Posturing may end a situation if one aggressive individual decides to back off. A combative stance may also provoke another individual who is already prone to violence, causing the conflict to escalate.

Some instructors have adopted the Model Mugging padded assailant concept, which was developed in the 1970s and gained publicity through articles featured in Human Behavior Magazine and television news segments.

Some self-defense instructors have adopted the Model Mugging padded assailant concept. Model Mugging developed the padded assailant in 1972, which gained publicity through articles featured in Human Behavior Magazine, Black Belt Magazine, and numerous other publications, as well as television news segments.

Recreation classes offered in municipal programs may include introductory trial sessions that lead into more advanced, long-term programs or martial arts training with a particular style or emphasis. Sometimes, fitness centers offer weekly classes taught by a practitioner of a specific martial art style. Though recreational children’s classes are more common, women’s self-defense courses are periodically offered through community centers, city-county recreation programs, and YMCAs/YWCAs.

College gym or physical education classes and/or clubs may offer college participation credit for a short self defense course. Sometimes, short personal protection classes or programs are offered in high schools. These can be convenient opportunities for college or high school students.

Academic self-defense courses may provide physical education credit toward graduation requirements. Most college classes are coed and cover a wide range of topics; most are taught from a martial arts perspective. School martial arts clubs may build more proficiency than some college-credited courses that cover a wider introductory martial arts curriculum, similar to regularly attending a martial arts dojo (school) or training facility. Some college physical education courses focus on building proficiency in a particular martial art style. In most cases, techniques are not practiced long enough to develop proficiency for defense against street violence and sexual assault. Most individuals struggle to address the specialized needs of women.

Some universities and high schools offer Model Mugging courses as physical education credit for women. As a short self-defense course, Model Mugging has spent decades bringing the most updated information to classes from studying criminal “work product“. Then, Model Mugging systematically blends the material into a safe and supportive structure, continuing the advancement in martial science.

Other short courses may involve firearms training, pepper spray classes or certifications, kubotans, and other weapons, gizmos, and gadgets. These courses can offer diverse ideas and perspectives that can be beneficial, but they also have limitations. Considering the advantages and disadvantages are significant in terms of realism when assessing your goals, time, and money.

No Guarantees

Aspects of these courses may help thwart a potential assault. Although there are no guarantees with any technique, style, or type of training, the evolution of martial science owes its beginnings to martial arts skills presented for a combative sport that was not presented toward realistic methods of self-defense.

Model Mugging Basic and Advanced self-defense courses are taught over 20 hours, although four-hour workshops may focus on parts of the Model Mugging self-defense system. The whole course should be taken, and review courses are also recommended periodically over time.

Learning something can build self-confidence and may keep students of a short self-defense course from being victimized. However, at other times, taking action learned without a greater understanding of the context of street crimes and self-defense may be the wrong choice at the wrong time, which can result in greater violence and injury to the student.

 

Return to Choices in Self Defense for more suggestions.