teaching a kid - advice please

[Ghost]

So i have this parent that wants me to teach their kid all the nasty stuff in thai boxing, all the elbows and knees + how to headbutt and so on as well as all the regular stuff that is bad enough as it is lol.
Their kid is being bullied a lot and its for self defense.

But where would as an instructor stand on this?
The parent is terrified their kid will be beaten up badly by a small group of other kids and from what i hear this is actually on the cards. They say they are willing to take full responsibility.

These are private lessons btw, i teach a couple of kids but normally only basic punch and kick.

thoughts please amigos.

[Hardball]

I've had several kids for private lessons. The thing is, you are accepting the parents money thus you have some type of duty to ensure that the kids can properly defend themselves. You didn't mention the ages so I'm guessing somewhere between 9-15. It doesn't take much technique for a kid that age to defend themselves. What you should try to teach them is discipline, self esteem and de escalation of verbal assaults. Also, I teach the legal consequences of excessive force as well as the possibility (high) of multiple attacks. Talk to the kids about peer pressure and "snitching". Kids are under tremendous pressure to adhere to the "Code of Silence" Address this in your teachings. Talk to your kids (if they are teenagers) about knives and the possibilty of being confronted by someone with a knife.

It's a big responsibilty being an instructor, try to be a good one. I always ask myself what can I do to help this kid ward off bullies.

[Ghost]

I get you, and thanks for your reply. But...this isnt really what i do as such.

I dont teach self defense, i teach thai boxing, i might say so and so isnt that useful in a self defense situation etc.

I've had several kids for private lessons. The thing is, you are accepting the parents money thus you have some type of duty to ensure that the kids can properly defend themselves. You didn't mention the ages so I'm guessing somewhere between 9-15. It doesn't take much technique for a kid that age to defend themselves. What you should try to teach them is discipline, self esteem and de escalation of verbal assaults. Also, I teach the legal consequences of excessive force as well as the possibility (high) of multiple attacks. Talk to the kids about peer pressure and "snitching". Kids are under tremendous pressure to adhere to the "Code of Silence" Address this in your teachings. Talk to your kids (if they are teenagers) about knives and the possibilty of being confronted by someone with a knife.

It's a big responsibilty being an instructor, try to be a good one. I always ask myself what can I do to help this kid ward off bullies.

[Guest]

Ghost, the solution to their problem has nothing to do with Thai Boxing.

- Their child is being violently bullied, what are they doing about this with the necessary authorities?
- They fear a beating soon by a group...erm move school, move area, move full stop.
- Muay Thai is a great art, but a group beating negates that, he may take one out at best
- And let's say he does, H.K.E. is GBH territory, so the kid ends up a young offender. Great solution.

If I were you mate, stay away from this one.

[Tant01]

Easy...

Ghost, ...
If I were you mate, stay away from this one.

He clearly has a choice to make. Offer the tools to make the kid a weapon or reserve the right to unleash another monster on the bullies.

Teach him well...

(or not)

[Ghost]

This crossed my mind mate, but then the parent is desperate and at their wits end and terrified the kid will just get beaten up anyway.
They are trying to instill in him that its only for self defense. The problem that they have is that the school isnt doing a great deal and they just want him to be able to do something to defend himself. As the mum put it, he cant run and tell a teacher if hes getting the shit kicked out of him.
But yes points noted.

I had thought to perhaps just teach him in a very normal way as i would anyone else and just let her get on with raising him and dealing with this.

Ghost, the solution to their problem has nothing to do with Thai Boxing.

- Their child is being violently bullied, what are they doing about this with the necessary authorities?
- They fear a beating soon by a group...erm move school, move area, move full stop.
- Muay Thai is a great art, but a group beating negates that, he may take one out at best
- And let's say he does, H.K.E. is GBH territory, so the kid ends up a young offender. Great solution.

If I were you mate, stay away from this one.

[Guest]

I had thought to perhaps just teach him in a very normal way as i would anyone else and just let her get on with raising him and dealing with this.

Sounds like the smartest option to me.

As we have discussed before, simple hard physical training can instill confidence and resilience, and this may be all he needs to stand his ground - as opposed to smashing skulls.

[Hardball]

You should see the movie "Never Back Down" It has a similar plot.

[Tant01]

How old is this "kid"? Teach him good. How to slip and parry. How to escape basic holds and locks and chokes.

Give him the tools his folks are paying you for, or not.

I hope you do.

[Garland]

?
Are this kids parents that out of touch? Or are they just sick of having them dependent on them? "Let's teach our kid a skill set to get him locked away!"

If you do go ahead and teach him those big mean moves, I thing you should stress 2 things, 1) scare him straight about the possible legal ramifications of his actions should he use them EVEN in self defense...and 2) tell his parents to splurge on this ->
Half.com / Books / Messages: The Communication Skills Book

[Garland]

Sounds like the smartest option to me.

As we have discussed before, simple hard physical training can instill confidence and resilience, and this may be all he needs to stand his ground - as opposed to smashing skulls.

I couldn't agree more with this statement. Kudos!