DAY 1

Situational awareness, which includes taking up space, body language, knowing your exits, staying off your phone, listen to your gut, letting people know where you are, location etc.

A. Body Language: eyes up(eye contact), head up, shoulders back. Learn to take up space. Often we are raised with the notion in our culture that we must be petite, accommodating, quiet, non confrontational and obedient as females. we often stand or sit with legs and arms crossed making ourselves as unassuming as possible. When you ride public transportation notice the way women sit versus men. The term Man Spreading is a real thing. Women can spread out too, take up space and have clear boundaries. We do not need to make ourselves smaller to be feminine. 

B. Green Zone Red Zone: Red zone is DANGER, within striking and grabbing distance. Green zone is outside or even inside of that. Sometimes to get to the green zone we actually have to close the distance and get CLOSER to our attacker to be safe from strikes. The ultimate green zone is running away and being completely safe. This is why we teach you to frame and create space. With women (often times smaller that attacker) you might need to move yourself rather that move your attacker. Today we will learn how to shrimp. An awkward movement that by the end of this course will be just a natural to you as walking. It is the most effective way to create space while on the ground. You will be asked to practice this everyday as homework. In fact, we hope and expect you to practice every day/week so when you come back we can build upon the previous weeks techniques. Repetition is the KEY to retaining any new technique.  

C: Smart Stance: shoulder width apart, staggered legs, all tools in front of you(eyes, hands, legs and mouth((both voice and bite))  hands up, eye contact, strong stance, prepared to defend or run while appearing neutral/non threatening.

1. train track drills (left, right, front, back)

2. partner pushing front , side , behind etc  

3. partner pushing with eyes closed

D. Grip Breaks: hold up your hand, 4 fingers or only 1 thumb. The easiest way out is to the weakest point which is the thumb. Only 1 barrier versus 4. 

single grip escape: same side mirror image

2 handed grab escape with elbow to the chin

cross grip escape, pay attention to the direction of the thumb and how it changes with cross grip.

We are using leverage and strengths against weakness, joint manipulation, sharp bones and weight to escape and run.   

E. Learn how to fall, most important thing is to protect your head/brain. Need to be able to think to escape. Break falls need to be reviewed every day. Tuck chin, exhale on impact and slap the mat or ground to absorb some of the impact. Even on concrete this is effective.

(circle up and do 10 reps as a group, listen for exhale, exaggerate it) Throughout all the classes remind everyone to breathe. 

F. SHRIMPING: go over basics of shrimping and why it is the most effective way to move off your back. Create space. have races down the mat if people catch on quickly. Can show Thread the Needle as add on to shrimping for what they have in future classes.

G. Stand up and base: back to Smart Stance. Never turn your back on your attacker unless in green zone and running away. Practice immediately coming up and protecting your head and lifting your butt to make room to slide your leg through so never having to turn away and be vulnerable to punches. Also from stand up and base we introduce up kicks to the groin or straight shots to the knees. (once the reps have been put in and technique fine tuned bring out the thai pads and let them kick as the last exercise of the class).

if there is time… have the youngest or oldest member of class pick one technique to teach/review with the class. Retaining knowledge sometimes sticks better when put on the spot and given the opportunity to teach.