A lot of martial arts for children classes tell kids that fighting is only used as the solution of last resort. I agree. However, as part of the child’s first introductory class, they teach kids how to punch and kick and I personally think that is kind of bizarre.
I sometimes teach in summer camps or workshops for schools. Classes are typically 1 hour spread over 1-3 days. Over the years, I also taught in inner-city community center / schools where I may not see the same kid again after a class and so every chance encounter is special. Those were the key driver for my personal motto of “every class matters”. I aim to teach things that are relevant and realistic. I hope to make an impact to someone or be a trigger to a different way of thinking.
Relevant in that it has to be useful to at least 80% if not all participants EVERYDAY. Realistic means that it has to be achievable WITHIN THE SET TIME LIMIT.
Do you hand a weapon over to someone you just met? or to someone who has very little self control? Morals aside, do you think that a child can hit someone with a punch you just taught without spraining the wrist or damage to their hand? Is it more dangerous to have a weapon that doesn’t work or know that you don’t have a weapon at all? Furthermore, if fighting is the last resort, why would a martial art class start there? Where are all the other possible solutions?
In MartialGym, the first rule of self-defense is “Listening”. If kids only listen to their teachers, coaches and parents, they can not only avoid a lot of trouble, they actually learn better. How often do you hear the term “active listening”? Even adults sometimes have to learn to listen better in meetings, to their customers / employees. The root of some relationship trouble stems from nobody wanting to listen – it is always about “me” or “what I want”. How often have you heard about parents not really listening to the kids – career / relationship choices and more.
Telling a child to listen is a bit oxymoron. If they don’t listen well, telling them over and over again is not going to achieve anything. 🙂 For us, we use a lot of simple listening games to make it a game or a “play-and-train” activity so that kids actually “want” to listen better and it is fun.
In MartialGym, our goal is to make all concepts and ideas concrete, easily explainable as well as individually trainable.
Exercise
When I say “listening”, in its narrow context, it is exactly what it means for kids and beginners. However, most of you reading this blog is no longer a child. What does this first rule of self-defense actually cover? Explain.
Make your best guess on what rule 2 and 3 are.