In today's world, the importance of effective self-defence training cannot be overstated. With knife crime and other violent incidents on the rise, understanding how to protect oneself has become a crucial skill. At Warwick & Leamington TKD, we pride ourselves on delivering expert self-defence training that goes beyond the basics, ensuring our students are equipped with realistic and practical techniques to face real-life threats.
The Reality of Knife Crime
Recent statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal troubling figures related to knife crime in the UK. In the latest reports, knife-related homicides have risen, highlighting the urgent need for effective self-defence training. It's not just about defending oneself; it’s about building the confidence and skills to de-escalate situations and protect against formidable threats.
Not All Martial Arts Are Created Equal
While many martial arts and combat sports, such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Judo, have their merits, it's essential to understand their limitations regarding self-defence. These arts often focus on competitive grappling techniques, which can be less effective in real-world confrontations. When faced with an aggressor, the last place you want to be is on the ground. Ground fighting leaves you vulnerable and at a disadvantage, especially if multiple assailants are involved or a weapon is present.
At Warwick & Leamington TKD, our self-defence training focuses on effective methods geared specifically for real-life scenarios. We teach students not only how to defend themselves but also how to extricate themselves from potentially dangerous situations quickly.
Yesterday we ran a women's only self-defence course at Woodloes School in Warwick. We welcomed 11 dedicated women eager to acquire skills and knowledge that will empower them in their daily lives.
Our day began with a comprehensive presentation on safety awareness in daily life. This crucial first step provided attendees with an understanding of personal safety habits that can significantly reduce the risk of being targeted. The emphasis was not just on physical techniques but also on cultivating a mindset of safety.
Saturday we held our first Women’s only self-defence course since the pandemic hit. The course landed on the 6 month anniversary of the murder of Sarah Everard as well as the release of Colin Pitchfork the double rapist and murderer.
We started off with all participants and instructors undertaking a lateral flow test as close proximity in the physical delivery part of the class was necessary and everyones safety was paramount.
Our courses are not just about leaning the physical interventions and skills required in a violent incident we start by delivering a comprehensive and informative presentation educating the participants on the psychology of violent and sexual offenders. We looked at situational and environmental awareness and how to identify challenges and how to react for a positive outcome. Participants were encouraged to share their own experiences which brought to life the presentation content, this also allowed for discussion on strategies and solutions for similar experiences.
New figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales show there were 3,745 reports of violence with injury in Warwickshire in the year up to March 31, 2016 - a rise of 120 per cent. This was closely followed by incidents of violence against the person which were up 71 per cent to 8,387. In the West Midlands, the picture also showed an increase in violent incidents with violence with injury up 28 per cent to 23,199 and violence against the person up 19 per cent to 43,187.
