SELF-PROTECTION Skills & Tactics

• Everyday in New Zealand there are reports of assaults, stabbings, sexual assault, robbery etc. Violence does not distinguish between age, gender, ethnicity, social status, locality - we are all vulnerable!
• Violence can take many forms, and can come to us at any time. Sometimes  it is completely random and without warning - just being in the wrong  place at the wrong time can get us into trouble. Other times there is more background and history to a violent confrontation.  Violence is most often sudden and surprising, and when we least expect it.
• Victims may experience prolonged physical pain and suffering, or may be left with disabilities, or even death. 
• "For many people, confrontational offences, including sexual offences, assaults and threats, have devastating effects. Physical injury is the most visible effect of crimes such as assault, but the emotional impact of all types of crime can be even more damaging. Reactions can include anger, shock or fear. Many people report being more aware of danger, and some lose confidence. Victims may be tearful, have difficulty sleeping, suffer depression or anxiety, or experience feelings of guilt or shame. Some later have drug or alcohol problems and relationship difficulties, and a few develop post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental injuries or illnesses."   (Nancy Swarbrick, 'Victims of Crime', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand)

Defender Self-Protection training focuses on teaching individuals how to protect themselves in real-world situations. The primary goal  is to equip people with the skills, techniques, and strategies to prevent, de-escalate, or respond effectively to violent threats or attacks.

What is Combatives?

• The first principle of self-protection is to Avoid or Escape.  Not only are students taught to avoid or escape but how to avoid or escape. However, when this is not possible we need skills we can rely on to defend ourselves. "Combatives"  refers to the specialized  hand-to-hand combat system used in  Defender Self-Protection training. It incorporates methods from Krav Maga and streetwise Martial Arts. It is  designed to quickly  neutralize threats in close-quarters,  focusing on  high-impact  techniques. Unlike  competitive martial arts, Combatives  prioritize  effectiveness and survival over sport, rules, or fair play. “Intent” is a major factor in Combatives training, ie. there is a huge difference in training to score points to training to disable an attacker.
• Combatives  is all about counter violence in the modern world.  It  is not a sport. Training is designed  to be effective in dealing with   real street situations, honing skills that will work when our life  depends on it.  This effectiveness comes from training only  street  practical martial techniques that are proven and applicable for real-world situations, where there are no rules or referees. 
• Traditional martial  arts are excellent for tools of self  development and technical  mastery, and they are very rewarding as a  life long study.  Combatives' focus,  however,  is  'self-protection' ie.  you train everything you need and nothing you don't! 
• Emphasis is also given to the use of "soft skills", ie.  situational awareness, de-escalation practice, understanding of victim  selection, recognition of pre-violence indicators etc. This kind of  reality training develops a formidable mindset, and the knowledge and  skills that are necessary for self-protection. 

*Instructor Shaun O'Leary is  a Combatives and certified Krav Maga instructor, whose focus  is teaching  'streetwise' self-defence to empower his students to stay safe in today's ever more  violent society.   He brings his experience in training and teaching in a variety of martial arts, and work on the door and security,  to the teaching of Combatives. He is a former  Karate international competitor, with a 5th dan black belt in Shorinjiryu Karate, and a multiple NZ and Oceania Judo champion and Olympic Games competitor.

What is Self-Protection?

• Self-Protection is composed of two parts - Personal Security and Self-Defence.   
• Personal Security is what we call "soft skills" ie. training and developing the habits and skills of Awareness, Threat Recognition, Avoidance, Conflict Management, De-escalation, Escape etc
• Self-Defence ie "hard skills" is the physical component of hand-to-hand combat necessary to neutralize a threat so we can escape to safety. 

Who is Self-Protection  Training for?

• People who have been the victims of violence and would like to be empowered so they can avoid it happening again 
• Teenagers who would like to learn to be able to protect themselves before they leave home
• Anyone looking to become confident in the fact that they are more able to protect themselves in the real world if they had to
• People who have not done any physical activity for a number of  years but would like to get fitter and learn some valuable self-defence  skills

Self-Protection training is for everyone!

Do I have to be fit to join a class?

• You don't have to be fit to begin training, many participants lack  general fitness when they start training. Regular training will  dramatically improve your fitness. Initially, people are encouraged to  train at their own level but as their fitness improves will be able to  push themselves more. 

What can I expect when I join a class?

• From the beginning you will be welcomed and encouraged as you  learn the basics of striking, techniques for falling, and defenses  against common attacks. Gradually you will learn  to perform under  stress and gain awareness and prevention skills that will aid in  avoiding violent confrontations. Classes are designed to be fun but  challenging.

Are there Grades Awarded in Defender Combatives?

• The core skills of Self Protection can be learnt relatively quickly and many students are happy to train only long enough so they are comfortable that they can defend themselves, and that is all.  
• However, there will always be those who develop a passion for Combatives  and wish to be able to continue to advance their skills with ongoing training.  For those who choose to train long term there is opportunity to progress through grades, ie. Levels 1-10. These levels  provide a structured framework for skill acquisition, validate a  student's ability to perform under stress, and ensure safe, progressive  learning.

What should I wear?

• Wear workout clothes that you find comfortable. Bring non marking  sports shoes for indoor training.

How much are the FEES?

• Monday evening classes are 90 minutes long and run in conjunction with school term times of ten weeks with a break from training during the school  holidays. 
• Adults - $200, Students Age 15 and over - $120 - per school term, with discounts for additional family members.