Self-Defense Program

[Streetfighter]

I am currently teaching self defense classes at a local gym. I was wondering if anyone had any good ideas about how I could improve my teaching methods, what should be taught, or what should not be tought. Remeber that this is not a martial art class, so it should primarily be self defense, and maybe a little aerobic activity to get them to sweat.

Thanks for the help.

[mankaw]

Stick with the basics. It's common to have students move in and out of class so the more technical the technique the less likely they will be to retain it. Don't forget to teach verbal skills, situation preventatives (awareness, predator recognition). The ladies love these parts and will keep them in their minds forever. One problem I see is instructors teaching "arts" as real world self-defense. Nothing wrong with arts, but a street savy person will be turned off if you teach them something that they know in their mind that they can't do or wouldn't try. If you want to teach a "tough" crowd, try teaching a group of police officers. They will tell you right away what won't work and what will. You can't show them something fancy and then tell them to do it in full uniform. I am very big on tool development right from the beginning. Some of my best workouts is just taking turns on the heavy bag for 1,2, or 3 minute rounds concentrating on tools and turning the "flame" on and off.

[ryanhall]

Jamie,
Sammy Franco, Richard Dimitri, Tony Blauer, and Geoff Thompson are bar none the best self defense instructors teaching today. I would advise taking a long look at what they do and endeavoring to encorporate it into your teaching.

Their sites are:
www.sammyfranco.com --great articles. recommend a read
www.senshido.com --great forum w/ lots of knowledgable posters

https://www.tonyblauer.com

https://www.geoffthompson.com

Carl Cestari also teaches old style WW II combatives, and I have heard good things about him.
Look here:

https://www.selfdefenseforums.com

https://www.allinfighting.com

https://www.gutterfighting.org

[Streetfighter]

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Our boy RBFC teaches stuff along these lines. Drop him a PM or ask him straight up. He's been providing me with what I consider really good information.

[RBFC]

Streetfighter,

I sent you a PM regarding your request. I'll be glad to help you out in any way I can. Talk to you later.....

Anyone else interested in info along these lines is welcome to join in.

Lee