women and martial arts

[Jaelyn]

Ryanhall-I was taught how to punch, upper-cut, kick, elbow strike, keep my hands infront of my face when being attacked and
knee kicks to the groin. I trained hands on with a Five Time World Kickboxing Champ and a Golden Gloves Coach. I also sparred with Golden Glove Competitors (men). I also over came the fear of being hit. Which can help in an attack situation. Because instead of being afraid of being hurt I can concentrate my efforts on fighting back and getting away.
Now if that is not self defense I dont know what is?

Tatsu- You read my message wrong. The comment you are refering to was a sarcastic comment towards other women who feel all they need is a man to protect them. I do not feel that way. I am totally for women learning self defense. I even have a website with several articles devoted to Womens Self Defense.
In fact I would even like to teach self defense to Women. Something I plan on doing in the near future.
(sorry can not give out my website address its exclusive)

[swan104]

I think the martial arts will always be seen as a "male/macho activity" for quite a while to come. I don't mean to be sexist, or anything, but 99% of martial arts students in the clubs I have trained at are male.

I remember having a chat with a female friend of mine a while back about martial arts, and she said she wanted to learn something to help her defend herself. She then asked me what type of self defence drills I trained in. I told her about what we do in class, eg finger jabs to the eyes, pad work, locks, takedowns etc etc. She replied by saying all the techniques were too gruesome, and if there was anything else she could do that would not harm the guy? I think she was expecting a ninja magic trick that would allow her to teleport away from trouble!

Another friend of mine was shocked when she found out I study stick/knife (FMAs). She was totally against it and thought it would breed a bunch of psychos.

Other people believe boxing to be barbaric, but martial arts (and I mean things like, Karate and Kung Fu) to be acceptable.

I think a lot of these views are just plain ignorance, but I wouldn't be suprised to discover if more girls think this way as well. Things like, "Charlies Angels" and "Tae Bo" don't help the cause either. I'm sorry, but Tae Bo will get you fit, but it is not a martial art, but it seems to be marketed that way.

In my local gym, there was an advert for one of those Tae-Bo type classes. It had a girl with hand wraps on with the slogan, "defend yourself!". Yeah right!

I'm just a bit concerned about those females that do take a Tae Bo class or do a video workout, and think they can fight.

[Tom Yum]

Jaelyn you are a rare example. Do you think women would be less caddy/judgemental about self-defense and each other if they took up boxing/kickboxing or would it be worse?

The women I know who train in boxing/kickboxing are easy going and really cool. They are attractive, really focused, don't flinch and hit hard wheras the ones who do taebo/cardiokickbox complain about how girl x sucks and has terrible fashion sense.

[tatsu]

jaelyn - lol. oops. sorry, my bad. i think its great that u want to teach, and i wish u luck in reaching your goals. ^_^

~

[Jaelyn]

Steven (swan 104)

Awesome comment. I'm glad someone understood what I was saying. I totally agree with you. Especially about Women thinking that defending themselves in an attack is not going to get gruesome. Ahh, Thank You for reading my mind.


Tom Yum- I would definately think women would be more calm and less agressive when it came to confrontations with other women. If they took martial arts. I'm a prime example of that.
Because before I took kickboxing I used to go around looking for fights. To make a long story short. I had just gotten out of a relationship that left me broken, confused and hurt.
I used to go out to clubs with my girlfriends. And if anyone gave me a reason to fight I was there. Fortunately I was never taken up on my offer??? Which is good for me. Since I would have regretted fighting in the steets over something stupid.

So when I started to take kickboxing I became really calm in regards to fighting. Mainly because I realized how little I knew about fighting and self defense. And I also realized that I might happen to encounter a girl who did know martial arts really well.
Like a girl in my class who was smaller than me but who had been training for years. She wanted to spar with me. Which I agreed to. But it never happened. She was dying to get me in the ring. I guess she thought she could kick my butt. Who Knows?

But in answer to your question. Yes I do think women would be less judgemental about each other and the art of self defense.
I have totally gained respect for the arts. And never shield away from a good match.

[ryanhall]

Jaelyn,

I was taught how to punch, upper-cut, kick, elbow strike, keep my hands infront of my face when being attacked and knee kicks to the groin. I trained hands on with a Five Time World Kickboxing Champ and a Golden Gloves Coach. I also sparred with Golden Glove Competitors (men).

These things can certainly help you, but they are not that large a part of the picture in self-defense. Also, speaking purely from my personal experience, I would never teach a woman to hit with her hands closed, because they are too small and they will break easily. This may not be the case with you, but it is a reality for most females. As is the reality that physically overcoming (beating, not stunning and running) a committed, large male attacker is not likely at all. Some women are capable of this, but most are not. The same goes for smaller men. Fighting is not the way to go for self-defense.

I also over came the fear of being hit. Which can help in an attack situation. Because instead of being afraid of being hurt I can concentrate my efforts on fighting back and getting away

This is also a critical piece of the puzzle. I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but keep in mind that you are not likely to be kickboxed by your attacker. Women don't need to worry about assault and battery so much as rape (which would not involve much punching and kicking). In addition, a hook without a glove on is a lot more dangerous than one with a glove, and this hook my be thrown by a very large person. That nixes the good old triangle block that boxers like to use againts opponents of similar size--you'll be knocked off your feet if you try to use it.

Now if that is not self defense I dont know what is?

Unfortunately, that is definitely not (it has some things that are useful, but it is missing the most critical elements). This is:

https://www.sammyfranco.com

www.senshido.com --look for Helen Stratzl's section(s) and definitely read the forum (it just changed formats, so check the archves too).

There is one other woman who is very well-known and well-respected in the "reality" self-defense industry. I can't remember if it's Melissa or Monica Soalt. She wrote 'Fierce and Female'.

I hope I made myself more clear.

[Jaelyn]

Ryan- I understand what you are saying. Yes there are many tactics that can probably benefit more in an attack situation.
But considering I knew nothing about fighting, I think I am alot better off. I would love to take more martial arts and self defense classes or even teach. Because I love helping people especially women. And I happen to be married to a big guy. He has really big hands size 14 ring finger. Body builder and former high school wrestler. And yes he can over power me in an instant. But I have popped him once or twice.
And about my hands breaking if I punch someone? I dont really believe that. I've punched bags and rice bags before to toughen my hands and knuckles with no gloves. No big deal. I'm 5'6"
very healthy, stong, & I've never broken a bone. Probably because I'm a big milk drinker since childhood.
And meeting a kickboxer out on the streets? Ya, funny...

Toodles...

[ryanhall]

And about my hands breaking if I punch someone? I dont really believe that. I've punched bags and rice bags before to toughen my hands and knuckles with no gloves. No big deal. I'm 5'6" very healthy, stong, & I've never broken a bone. Probably because I'm a big milk drinker since childhood.

I hit the bags with no gloves every now and then too without any trouble. That said, I expect to break my hand if I land a fist anywhere on someone's face other than their nose, temple, chin, or jaw. Milk or no milk, fingers and knuckles don't stand up to skull very well.

[Jaelyn]

Ryan,
I've never punched anyone with a closed fist. But I know my husband and brother-in-laws have and they have never broken any fingers. ???????

Its all about the stong bones Baby.

[ryanhall]

Jaelyn,

I've never punched anyone with a closed fist. But I know my husband and brother-in-laws have and they have never broken any fingers. ???????

A lot of it depends how old they were and how lucky they were. Also, if you don't hit that hard (and a lot of people don't), your chances of breaking a bone decrease a lot. Age matters because, as you get older, your bones become more rigid and prone to fracture and break. Just because I could punch someone repeatedly in the head when I was 16 doesn't mean that I could do it now without breaking a bone. Also, they may have just been lucky enough to hit the right spot. I can almost guarantee you that, if they hit relatively hard and they struck the forehead or basically anywhere that I didn't mention in my previous post, that they would have had a pretty messed up hand for a while.

Its all about the stong bones Baby.

Yes it is, but it's more about the timing...baby.

[Jaelyn]

They are are in ages between 32 and 24. They are very stong big latino men. Who would knock anyone out in an instant.
I do agree with hitting the very top of the skull. Would definately be painful. But who the heck would hit there?

Ryan how old are you? Just curious...

[swan104]

I'm really interested in this topic, and I wish there was something definitive that can be done to help women.

What are peoples opinions on getting women to carry a knife as an equaliser? Generally, women are smaller and weaker than men. Would a weapon get them the edge (pardon the pun)?

Going back to bone-breaking, not all women and men for that matter will have iron fists. I'm not saying you shouldn't punch in a fight, but there are other alternatives.

I think it goes back to the mentality that things will get messy in a fight, and the goal is to floor the guy/girl(s) with minimal damage. If you have no choice but to punch, then so be it. The alternative could be a lot worse than a broken hand. However, if there is a technique out there that involves a similar motion, that is safer but equally as destructive, then you could research into adding that to your tools.

A "hooking palm" rather than a punch can blow the eardrum, and I believe that will cause the person to lose balance giving you time to run. I'm 5ft 6, and most people are bigger than me, which is why I need to look at other alternatives besides just punching to give me the advantage.

Anyway, I'm going to get a glass of milk!!

[Jaelyn]

Hey Steven,
Its funny you should mentions knives. Because my Husband and 3 brothers have an extensive collection. Its funny because whenever I need a knife to cut a string, even, they all pop out with their knives.
And I do carry a knife. Like when I walk to the laundromat in my complex at night. Even if it just scares an attacker away than its done its job.
Should all women carry knives??? I dont know. It would be rough to actually use it on someone. Even in an attack. But when your life is threatened who knows what you are impowered to do.

Toodles!

[ryanhall]

I do agree with hitting the very top of the skull. Would definately be painful. But who the heck would hit there?

Uhhh...in real life, people miss. Nobody stands there for you to hit them as hard as you can. If your husband throws a cross at someone and they flinch or try to get out of the way, he just may hit skull, and despite your assertions to the contrary, break his hand pretty badly.

Ryan how old are you? Just curious...

Old enough to know what I'm talking about and to be one of the moderators on a popular internet forum. I'm in college.

[Jaelyn]

Ryan why dont you give your age? I'm 30, I'm not embarrassed.

And if you concentrate on all the What Ifs in this world than you will never find peace.
And you will always feel inferior.

Not I said the Girl.