Are we celebrating fighting?

I was invited to a panel to discuss the benefits of teaching self-defence in schools. One contributor argued that self-defence celebrated fighting and was not of benefit at all.

Celebrating fighting?

I believe this misses the point, much like saying cooking classes just encourage knife use.

Teaching self-defence in school offers kids incredible benefits that go beyond just learning how to protect themselves. For starters, it boosts self-esteem and confidence.

It's amazing to see students not only feel safer but also become more willing to speak up in class, ask questions, and express their thoughts when they might have previously stayed silent.

Awareness. While we do teach you how to 'fight back,' we emphasize recognizing and avoiding potentially harmful situations before any confrontation is necessary. It’s all about being mindful, along with staying safe.

Let's not forget fitness, strength and coordination skills. It is an active club, so that can also provide a great outlet for stress.

And social skills. These classes encourage teamwork, allowing kids to build great friendships along the way.

Fighting sounds uncontrolled, and the training is very controlled, not just from a safeguarding perspective but from the aspect of instilling discipline; the kids benefit from the structured learning, giving focus and respect for each other, even from simply waiting their turn or actively listening - something that should be taught as early as possible.

My personal favourite 'invisible skills' are problem-solving, we also encourage critical thinking and quick decision-making skills and my top one is resilience, the ability to bounce back.

The techniques may involve physical confrontation as a means to personal safety, but the overall purpose is far from celebrating violence. It’s empowerment. And skills they can carry far beyond school!

#theselfdefencecoach