Self-Defense
Self-defense is skill that many people want to have. It provides techniques to defend themselves against any attacker in a situation of danger. It is usually difficult to find a class like this, but Montclair State University offers a class for those individuals who are interested in learning a new skill, while learning the essentials of self -protection.
On campus, there is a Street-Smart Self -Defense class that takes place every Monday night in the campus recreation center, in Multi- Purpose room two, from 6:30 to 7:45 pm. It is free and available to all Montclair students and staff. It is run by members of the University Police Department, who volunteer their time every week as a service to teach the students all the essentials of self-defense.
Every session begins with a warm up of body stretches and conditioning to get the muscles ready for the activities about to be done, and something new is taught every week. Many basic yet fundamental skills are taught such as how to make a tight and proper fist to punch, and there is a practice session where individuals are punching into a mat to learn the proper technique. Correct ways to kick are also taught, and there is a lot of practice on how to kick forwards and backwards on to the mats, learning how to use force properly without injuring any part of one’s foot. Plenty of other tactics are learned, such as knee strikes, where you step and raise the knee abruptly up to pass through a target from one end to another.
Roleplaying is often used in the class for the students to visually see how to properly defend themselves if someone is attacking them from behind or a by chokehold on the neck, by doing elbow strikes and different arm gestures to free themselves. This kind of training is geared towards a real-world approach when and if someone approaches a realistic negative encounter. There are also other lessons taught on how to defend one’s self from using everyday objects, such as mobile phones, bags, and keys. The class covers a variety of different martial arts techniques taught by experienced individuals who are interns for the police department, or are actual police officers, and even students who come to the classes regularly assist in the demonstrations. In addition to physical techniques, certain topics are discussed such as crime prevention and situational and environmental awareness.
Austin Perrone, who is an intern for the police department, with martial arts experience, and who has been volunteering for the program for over a year said, “It is a lot of fun helping other students and teaching something that is different.” Jeff Choi, who is a police officer and has been volunteering for the program for three semesters states, “It especially helps students who are living on campus, because they will learn how to protect themselves in any given situation where there are few adults around.” Carol Mainardi, who has a second-degree black belt, and has been assisting with the program for over ten years said, “I love the program a lot, we have a wonderful campus police department that is willing to offer a program like this to college students.”
Boyd Lions, who is the deputy chief and runs the classes, said, “The overall purpose of self-defense is to gain self -confidence to give yourself a form of validation and pride, and to learn more about being aware of your surroundings and to be alert for any signs of danger coming. The whole point of self-defense classes is to build upon basic skills and use them to your advantage when the situation is called upon.”
