The best thing to do when faced by a bully or a bunch of bullies is to simply ignore them and walk away. Now it doesn’t mean that you are a coward but bullies actually want you to react towards their threat of verbal assaults. If you keep your head cool and ignore their taunts they most probably won’t bother you again (or at least will eventually stop bullying you).

DO NOT FIGHT BACK THE BULLIES even if you are stronger than him or them or even if you know you can handle them. Attacking the bullies is only permissible if your other loved ones are also severe danger and you can’t call the 911 at that moment and might lose your loved one. Other than this situation do not ever try to combat the bullies as it will surely make the things go worst. Try to be confident as much as possible (and if you are a kid) act mature even if you are not then still fake it. Be confident about yourself but not overconfident.

Usually your parents and other folks are unaware of the bullies you face frequently, you should inform your parents and other guardians about the bullies so that they can protect you and bullies will eventually stop bullying you.

In this article, I’ll describe how learning karate, judo, kung-fu, and other styles can help your child feel more confident, approach potentially threatening situations thoughtfully, and ultimately preserve his or her safety. While most parents would prefer not to think about their children needing to defend themselves against others, it is very real possibility.

A Persistent Threat

Long ago, children were seldom victimized or abducted; and it was practically unimaginable in small towns. Times have changed. In 2002, over 58,000 children were kidnapped by non-family members. What’s more, the number of cases reported in communities with sparse populations has escalated. In effect, every child, regardless of location, is susceptible to the threat of predators.

Young kids are also vulnerable to older children. They can easily – and without reasonable justification – become victims of bullying or physical abuse. Sometimes, the circumstances can swing wildly out of control, leading to injury or worse. Parents are understandably concerned and are becoming increasingly aware that they need to take preventative measures.

Kids’ Self-Defense Through Martial Arts

Kids martial arts classes are not designed to train children to fight. Instead, they focus on developing a number of mental and physical skills that provide lifelong value. Kids learn to concentrate more effectively and think more clearly. They also learn the value of respect and emotional restraint. The training will also include self-defense strategies that your child can use to ward off threats.

One of the most important elements in kids martial arts classes (in the context of self-defense) is the ability to disengage from situations that might lead to violent confrontation. In many cases, a child can find himself embroiled in circumstances that could have otherwise been avoided. Learning the martial arts can help a child identify and avoid those circumstances.

Styles Of Kids Martial Arts

Parents have a number of martial arts styles from which they can choose. Some styles, like karate, are more aggressive than others. For example, aikido focuses on techniques that help students disable an attacker without actually fighting them. It emphasizes throwing moves rather than striking. On the other hand, karate and kung-fu involve a number of striking tactics; both approach self-defense from a far more aggressive perspective. Judo, like aikido, stresses the development of physical and mental control; the style involves very few striking moves.

Finding A Dojo

Parents who are interested in exploring martial arts classes for their child should visit a few training facilities in their area. They should speak with the instructors and ask about each dojo’s respective philosophy. They should also observe a few classes to become familiar with each instructor’s training style. For example, one instructor might emphasize aggression while another stresses mental and emotional refinement. The style you and your child choose should be consistent with your values and goals.

Protecting Their Safety

In the end, your child needs to develop the necessary physical and mental discipline to help ensure their safety. That includes learning techniques of self-defense. It also involves learning how to approach potentially hostile circumstances thoughtfully with the goal of either diffusing or avoiding them. Kids martial arts classes are designed to train young people to develop these skills. If their safety is threatened, they should have the training and discipline to respond in the best possible manner.

I like to call it “Stun and Run,” others call it “Bash and Dash.” Whatever you call it, it works the same. You strike the opponent one time to give you enough time to run away. My instructor thought this would be all I was capable of doing. Whether I could do more or not doesn’t matter. It has served me well.

I never go for the groin. Men expect this, and it does not drop every man. I choose a more stunning place. I cannot say over the Internet my choices, as they are very dangerous and should only be used under the guidance of a trained martial arts teacher. Some self-defense techniques are just too dangerous to use in any situation other than life threatening.  

However, there are a few non-life threatening techniques I can share. First, box the ears. This works as a good stunning device. If you are tall enough, this causes dizziness and disorientation for a few seconds, just long enough for you to run away.

Second, kick the knee. This can break the knee or at least drop your attacker for a second. Kicking with your shin works better than kicking with your toes. This is effective no matter how tall you are.

Third, is the reverse head butt. This works particularly well for short people since attackers try to grab you from behind. Hang tight and wait for them to pull you off the ground. When they have pulled you up, throw your head back smacking them in the nose. If you throw your head back hard enough, you can break the nose and run away.

The best self-defense method is training. Find someone to teach you and then practice the moves. This way you will be ready if and when you are ever attacked.

Kidnapping and physical torture is also common with the children. Parents should discuss every single issue with them and they should prepare their kids mentally and physically to defend themselves. You should also create a friendly relation with your child so that he or she can easily discuss everything with you. A child should be confident enough to defend himself psychologically and physically for the sake of his security. But, as we know children are not so strong therefore we should try to make their mind strong so that they become vigilant, active and confident in their moves to get escaped successfully from a critical situation.

In schools also children should be taught how to defend themselves. There should be special classes of self defense training psychological as well as physical. But most schools are not having such arrangements, so it’s a duty of parents to teach them the techniques of self defense at home.

Children from the age of 4-10 years should be educated about the easy self-defense techniques. Normally people think it as an unnecessary endeavor, but believe me it is very essential for the security of a child. The children in this age are not aware of the weapons of any kind so no knives, stun guns, pepper spray can be used. Hence, we need to consider other ways for the self-defense purpose. A child having the age from 4-10 should be taught about the name of his father, the address of the home, mobile number of the father, Land line number of the home and other such kind of other information.

More ever a child should be taught that he/she should not interact with strangers or any person with whom he/she is not familiar and a simple habit should be developed in the child to inform his/her elder about whatever problem he/she faces. Similarly, parents are also responsible for their child’s protection so they should not leave their child alone in gatherings or markets. These were the techniques for children of age less than 10 year. Now for children older than 10 years, you can use other sophisticated techniques like pepper spray, use of stun gun or use of other weapons to deal with attackers.

Why then, do most adults who have dropped out of a martial arts program within the first hundred days say they did so due to a lack of real-world self-defense training early on? Who do parents convey a sense of doubt that “Johnny” will be able to defend himself, despite the fact that he’s earned his Black Belt?

Why do most women, and many men, still voice their own doubt to be able to actually use what they’ve learned under pressure should they ever be attacked by a real attacker in the real world.

While there are many factors that play a part in whether or not you learn any subject well enough, there are 7 areas that you can take control, or be aware of when researching, choosing, and participating in a martial arts or self-defense program; especially if your goal is the development of real-world self-defense skills.

7 Ways To Know If Your Martial Arts Or Self-Defense Class Is Worth Anything

Many people ask the question, “If I have no experience and don’t know what a real street attack is like, how can I even begin to know if the program I’m in is teaching me what I need to survive?”

And that’s a really good question.

Here are 7 things that you can look for that will help you to gauge the value of any martial arts or self-defense program that’s promising to teach you real self-protection skills and ability against a real-world attacker throwing real-world attacks at YOU!

1. The attacks that you’re practicing against are modern, street-fighter, attacks. You’ve seen what real, modern attacks look like. All you have to do is to watch an action (non-martial arts) movie, a boxing match on ESPN, or remember the fights you saw in school, the bar, or wherever.

Make sure that you’re not defending against robotic, 16th century-type attacks that you’ll NEVER see in today’s world.

2. Techniques EASILY work on bigger, stronger attackers. Not because you have to be the bigger, stronger fighter, or because your partner fell down for you.

Many things will challenge you in the beginning, like where to put your foot, or which hand-does-what. But…

…in the world of self-defense training, remember K.I.S.S – “Keep It Simple Stupid!”

3. You don’t have to be a super-fit athlete to do well. Again, self-defense situations are very different from the sport and competitive world. In sports, you are always matched up with someone who matches your size, skill level, experience, etc. However, in a real-world attack scenario, you are almost always the underdog.

As I always tell my students, no attacker is going to look at you from across the street and think, “They can kick my butt. I’ll attack them!”

You should never have to be the bigger, faster, stronger combatant to win. Because, in a self-defense situation, unlike a sport-oriented tournament… You WON’T be!

4. You’re lessons are based on principles and concepts, not preset, stylized moves that always conform to the “style” being taught at that school. It’s true that there will probably be “techniques” that you’ll be learning. But these should be “models,” or examples of an idea that is flexible and adaptable to the situation.

An example of a principle or concept would be, “remember that the thumb is the weakest joint in the hand.” So, when you learn the technique for escaping a wrist grab, you know “what” you’re doing to cause the escape to happen. Not just that “pulling your hand out ‘this’ way.”

5. Your teacher has real-world experience. Contrary to popular belief, a black belt around someone’s waist, or a certification in a particular training program, has NOTHING to do with whether or not the person has ever had to use what they’re teaching in a real-world self-defense situation against a violent attacker.

Is it possible that a person with no actual fight experience can still teach viable, effective self-defense?

The answer to that is, of course, “yes.”

But, and this is a BIG but (n pun intended!), he or she will have to:

Have done a ton of research on what it’s like INSIDE a self-defense situation
Know the body’s responses to, and limitations when under the fight-flight-freeze response, or…
Have a teacher who has the experience and made sure they passed on the right lessons in the first place

6. You’re seeing progress immediately and often. It’s one thing to learn something. It’s something altogether different to KNOW that thing. And, it’s something different still to be able to USE what you know, under-pressure, when you need it most.

I’ve seen programs where beginning students are stuck at either of two extremes. While some are forced to endure classes where they do nothing but bow, block, stretch and exercise for weeks or months until they can move onto the “next lesson,” others are at the other end of the spectrum where they are given so many different techniques that they can’t get good at any one thing.

In a solid program teaching effective skill development and understanding of self-defense principles, students have the time to develop the skills they’re learning, while being given a few options that will allow them to produce results in a short amount of time.

7. No part of your training is there, “just ’cause.” So many programs being offered are lacking in substance, either because the person teaching doesn’t have enough knowledge, or the program itself consists of little more than a few “tricks” that are guaranteed to work against every attack.

Many martial arts programs, in an attempt to maintain connection with the foundations of the lineage and remain “traditional,” overload students with information that has absolutely nothing to do with being able to defend yourself. This is in no way meant to take away from the importance of a student understanding the roots of the program they’re learning. But, such information should be used to valid and add value to what you’re learning, not add “fluff” and substance where little exists in the first place.

It is up to you, and you alone to insure that you are getting what you need from a program that’s supposed to be teaching you how to keep yourself and loved-ones safe. No amount of blind-faith, discipleship, or blaming after-the-fact will substitute for learning good, solid, and effective techniques, tactics and strategies that will allow you to be effective against a brutal assailant looking to beat, break, or kill you.

I know how easy it is to choose a school, program, or teacher because it or they are…

close to home
a friend
inexpensive, or…
they’re wearing a black belt

But, none of these things has anything to do with effective self-defense. Choose wisely, and above all, look for value and the key points that I outlined above. And, in the end, if you ever have to go through the hell of a raging assault, you’ll be glad you did what you needed to – not what was easy.

Violence is a trait of many NFL players. Let’s face it, football is a violent sport and it encourages violent behavior. Unfortunately, what football does not do is teach players how to behave non-violently to problems off the field, particularly when it comes to relationship problems.

This violent behavior begins when boys start playing football as children. The boys are taught to behave tough and aggressive by their coaches, teammates, and even their parents. Boys are taught to use their body and strength to tackle competing players. Making a good “hit” is encouraged. This positively reinforces boys to behave aggressively. The boys are taught to be strong, to be unafraid, and to be a man. The name of the game is to be tough, dominant and show no weaknesses.

Unfortunately, the boys playing football are not taught that this behavior is acceptable only on the field. As boys who play football reach adolescence and adulthood, they have learned how to use aggressive and dominant behavior to win. It is this behavior that can lead to domestic violence against women.

Football never teaches players how to commutate with a woman. Is this the fault of football coaches or should parents take responsibility? The correct answer is that both should take responsibility. If you are going to reward a child for behaving violently while playing football, you must teach that child how to control their behavior when not playing football. I believe that from childhood all the way through the NFL, football players must be taught how to control aggressive and violent behavior. They need to be taught that violence off the field is unacceptable, especially towards women.

The divorce rate among NFL players is very high. Players bring the violence and aggressive energy they have on the field home. After practice or a game, a player’s adrenaline is flowing and they may have a lot of extra energy. If the player was in a big game that his team lost, this can increase the likelihood of violence at home. When you take the environment of football where problems between players are sometimes solved in scuffles and pushing each other around, this behavior becomes second nature to players. In football, if somebody gets in your face, you push them away. However, there is a huge difference between pushing a strong 275 lb player out of your face and pushing a 130 lb woman out of your face. What seems like nothing between players can be deadly when used toward a woman, and much of the time, it is done as a reflex from years of being physical with other players. That is why it is so important that from childhood on, football players are taught how to control their behavior off the field.

The NFL does have programs to teach players how to behave off the field. The problem is that by the time a player reaches the NFL, it is almost too late to teach behavior control. By this time the player has spent more than have of his life being taught to be physical and aggressive. This behavior is now so deeply embedded in the player’s mind that it is very difficult to change. That is why it is so important that football coaches and parents teach these young boys how to behave off the field and to be gentle with women.

If you are a parent reading this article, please talk to your son about violence and that violent behavior towards other people, especially women is wrong. Yes, physical and aggressive behavior is ok on the football field with other players, but that is the only place it is acceptable. Off the field, players must be taught to control their aggressive behavior and use their mind to solve problems, not their body.

Self Defense for Children

Children do not know what kind of danger they can face these days. They want to go out freely and enjoy their childhood. However at the present time and age parents do not give permission to the children to do so. Parents are very right in this aspect. Today you cannot allow your children to go out too much. Even while sending them to school you must educate them about what troubles they can face outside.

Kidnapping is the main crime, which is associated with kids. People can kidnap your children from the street where they go for play. Playgrounds are also a common kidnapping spot for the kidnappers. It is better if you as parent go out with the kids and look after them while they are there. Children need to be supervised and looked after wherever they go. In spite of that you must teach them self defence.

Children are somewhat safe at schools. You must send them to schools as schools are the only place where the children are likely to learn something. Schools do provide certain kind of securities to the children, so you may not need to worry much about them while they are at school.

It is at home and at play where they need self defence techniques and tips. You must be sure that you have taught your children well enough so that they can manage on their own even when the parents are not around. Tel them why is it important to keep yourself safe. Do not scare them too much but just tell them the basic things about how to keep themselves safe and how to avoid danger.

A Relationship is a very valuable aspect in our life. It must be unique and something to be enjoyed by everyone. We all dream of having a very healthy relationship especially with our friends, family members and loved ones.

It is a relationship wherein we enjoy each others company. We do things together like watching a basketball game or sometimes with the company of some friends. We are honest about our feelings with each other. There is mutual respect and sincerity between the two of us. It means we pay attention to each others opinion or thoughts. Always trying to reach out to each other to strengthen the bonds of the relationship.

On the other hand, to have an unhealthy or abusive relationship is to experience the exact opposite when we are having a healthy relationship.

We usually feel bad about ourselves. We do not verbalize our feelings. We take each other for granted. It could be in the form of hurting the other person verbally, abusing the person physically, emotional abuse and sexual abuse. Sometimes, both of them will be violent or be abusive to each other.

There are situations wherein only one is abusive to the other. Most often, the abusive relationship does not happen immediately only after sometime. That will be the manifestation of the real self of the person you promised to live with.

If we are experiencing an abusive relationship, then how are we to get out from such relationship?

First and foremost, we need to talk to somebody we could trust, like for example our parents, a friend , guardian, counselor, teacher or a doctor. We should relate to them that we are having an unhealthy relationship and what the other person did so as to abuse us.

If we are afraid to tell our parents, then we should approach somebody whom we trust to help us in telling our parents, to the counselor, security of the school, and even the police about the abuse. And we will be able to escape such relationship.

In leaving an abusive relationship, sometimes it is too risky to do so. There is a necessity for us to make a plan for our safety so that everything will be done smoothly. It will surely not be difficult and safer if we will have a plan. These are the tips for our safety plan.

• Do not be ashamed to tell your situation to somebody you trust.

• Mention directly to the person abusing you that you do not want to see him or her in order that they will not be able to touch you. Do it when your guardian or parents are present.

• If you are injured, go for treatment from your doctor or the hospital.

• Record in a diary when the date of abuse happened.

• Contact should be avoided with the person.

• Do not walk alone. Be with your friends.

• In case of emergency, look for a safer place like the police station.

• Always bring your cellphone, phone cards and money.

• In case the person is following you, do not hesitate to call 911.

• Always have the domestic violence hotline numbers.
Most of the times, it would happen that the various abuses we mentioned are done inside our very own home, we feel bad about this kind of situation. In other words, our home can no longer guarantee our safety and security with the other members of the family. Sexual abuse is committed right at the doorstep of our home. Child abuse is also done when a person assigned to take care of the child fails to do so.

There are times when the child is physically hurt out of jealousy. And what ever happens, the parents and health caregivers must be prepared to protect and take care of the child.

The following factors increase the likelihood of a partner being abused in a relationship:

A woman who was abused as child can feel it is normal to get abused in life and so would not negotiate to be treated with respect by the husband. A husband with violent temper and who is very possessive in nature might succumb to fits of jealousy whenever the partner associates with other males. A woman that did not get love growing up from her father seeks love from any man that pretends to love her. Her judgment is impaired because she cannot distinguish true love from lust and so rushes in to marriage with a violent man. A woman who married a man against her parents’ wish becomes socially isolated from her family leaving her at the mercy of a husband who does not feel accountable to her family and can afford to treat her anyhow. A woman married to a substance abuser or alcoholic would be at risk for physical abuse because the husband may not always be in control of himself. A husband who neither goes to church nor believes in God may not have any qualms behaving violently towards his wife. He is not accountable to any pastor or religious leader. A woman who got pregnant out of wedlock and had to marry the man to mitigate the shame may be subject to violent outburst from the husband because he probably never planned to marry her in the first place. A woman planning to leave a marriage where she has been emotionally abused may be attacked by the husband. A woman with physical or mental instability who cannot stand up to the husband can be abused.

10. A poor unemployed woman might be of less economic value to a husband who is chronically strapped for money.

11. A recently separated or divorced woman who is stalked by her former partner may be at risk for an attack.

12. A woman married to an unemployed or underemployed man could be at the receiving end of such a man’s frustrations. A man in such a state is very sensitive to any action that suggest his waning influence in the home.

13. A woman married to a man that was emotionally and verbally abusive during courtship may become a victim of domestic violence later on.

14. A woman that has little regard for her husband and shows it in her dealings with him may be at risk for physical abuse.

15. A woman married to a man with a history of physical abuse in previous relationships may be at risk for physical abuse in marriage unless the man had gone for professional therapy.