Taekwondo and Self-Defense

Self-defense is an essential component of the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program. The instructors of MSMAP want all participants to be able to handle themselves well in different situations and to stay safe. The primary tools stressed at MSMAP are intelligence and confidence.

• Get Safe • Be Safe • Stay Safe
• Blocks, Strikes, and Kicks
• Kidnap Drill
• Bullies
• Safety
• What Else?
• More

The most important goal of MSMAP is for all members to be safe and happy. Unfortunately, life sometimes throws in challenges that complicate achieving that goal. MSMAP’s self-defense strategies not only encompasses physical skills but also mental and emotional skills as well. MSMAP emphasizes awareness, assessment, avoidance, and action as cornerstones of an effective self-defense strategy for children, teens, and adults.

Self-defense training is not about learning to fight or even spar with a bully or attacker. The primary goal is that paricipants learn how to avoid bad people and bad situations whenever possible. When avoidance is not possible, straightforward techniques are taught to get away as quickly as possible and get safe: talk, walk, run, scream, kick, scratch, hit, bite, etc.

The obvious physical tools participants develop are blocks, strikes, and kicks to disable an attacker long enough in order to get away to safety. The objective is not to spar with an attacker but to negate the immediate danger (grabbing or punching) and then move preferably far away to a place of safety and help.

Bullying is a much too frequent occurance in schools. Be a good example of kindness and leadership.

The “Kidnap Drill” is an essential training tool for children.

Again, Safety is the most important goal of MSMAP. For sparring, participants wear protective equipment.