DEFENDER COMBATIVES
STREETWISE SELF-DEFENCE
DEFENDER COMBATIVES
STREETWISE SELF-DEFENCE
DEFENDER Combatives incorporates maximally effective Self-Defence skills from street effective Martial Arts and Krav Maga in order to be able to protect oneself and loved ones when needed. Students gain increased fitness, self-esteem, and empowerment while experiencing the collegiality of learning and training with others in a supportive and encouraging environment.
The main difference between self-defence training in Combatives and traditional Martial Arts is 'intent' in practice, and the way we train. Techniques are not trained to score points but with a survival mentality ie. targeting vital points to injure an assailant. Self-defence is about 'survival' ie. you win when you survive, and you will do whatever it takes to do so.
The effectiveness comes from training only the most street practical martial techniques for real-world situations, where there are no rules or referees. Combatives are taught to military units all around the world in order to quickly overcome and escape potentially life-threatening situations.
Street effective defensive skills are ingrained through eg:
- training of basic skills
- strategies and scenarios
- aggression training
- visualization practice
- environmental training
- pressure testing to cope under duress
The techniques used rely on simplicity, maximal effectiveness, and must uphold under high pressure situations, including life and death.
Defender Combatives gives emphasis to "soft skills", ie. situational awareness training, de-escalation practice, understanding of victim selection, recognition of pre-violence indicators etc.
As there are no guarantees in self-defence, the ultimate aim is 'avoidance' or 'escape', but if you do have to defend yourself, you are much more equipped to counter your attacker and make your escape.
Could You Protect Yourself?
- 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 often sudden and surprising, and when we least expect it.
How Safe Are You?
- Violent crime such as murder, kidnapping and abduction, robbery, and assaults including with weapons, especially knives, is on the increase in New Zealand.
- Many victims experience crime more than once, with latest reporting to the end of June 2024 indicating 215,000 New Zealanders experienced at least once incident of violent crime, including physical and sexual assault, and robbery.
(20 September 2024, Beehive.govt.nz )
This was an increase of 30,000 in people experiencing violent crime (since 2023), reflecting a continuation of the trend over last few years.
(The Spinoff, September 18, 2024)
The Impact of Violence
- 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)