When it comes to self-defense, women are always searching for a way to gain advantages. Attacks on women are prevalent all over the world. By criminal-minded men, women are seen as easy and vulnerable prey. They typically offer a potential assailant less strength, have visible off body incentive (a purse) and often times, don’t take as many precautions as men do (self-defense training or concealed carry).
But more and more women are coming to the realization that self-defense training makes sense to both themselves and their families. A woman walking through a grocery store parking lot might be distracted by dealing with her children. Would she be able to thwart an unexpected attacker’s grabs and grips? One thing of noteworthiness: concealed carry of a knife or firearm is useless once the attacker has you in his or her grasp. You don’t want to suddenly supply the attacker with even more advantage and leverage. Additionally, automatic firearms tend to jam when pressed against a body. This is why Jiu Jitsu for women is their most viable self-defense option (yes, I will explain below).
Women, whether they are robbed or sexually assaulted, have one thing in common: the attacker typically grabs them. The attacker tends to attempt to overpower them. And most of the time, the attacker can get close because most attacks on women are by people who they know. U.S. Department of Justice attacks from 2009 show that women do often know the attacker.
So what does this tell us, ladies? It tells us that a woman’s primary means of self-defense should be the ability to grapple. Jiu Jitsu for women teaches women the ability to escape a stronger attacker’s grasp. It doesn’t matter how big the other person is, in Jiu Jitsu, the weaker opponent can find ways to escape, or even harm, the larger person.
Let’s try to look at real life examples.
Most sexual assaults on women happen with the man laying on top of the woman. That position in Jiu Jitsu is called “the guard” position. Let’s have a look at it.
This position is a woman’s most vulnerable during an attack. But in Jiu Jitsu? This is a core position that can be extremely advantageous. This is why Jiu Jitsu has so much synergy when it comes to women’s self defense.
From the guard position, a woman can do a variety of things to an attacker:
- Choke the attacker.
- Break the arm of the attacker.
- Roll the attacker OFF of her.
- Escape the attacker using her hips.
Another important advantage to consider during an attack is that the longer you can delay the attack, the more time you have to yell out for help. If the attack is near anyone’s ear reach, the attacker might likely flee if they think they are being alerted.
Jiu Jitsu is by far, not a simpleton’s game. Jiu Jitsu offers women an escape from every potential attack position. It teaches you to escape chokes, escape being fully mounted, escape when someone has you grabbed from the back and escape someone who has grabbed your leg.
Jiu Jitsu also teaches women to be offensive, not just escape. A woman can learn how to harm an attacker if she so chooses. Jiu Jitsu gives a woman the capabilities to use leverage against the attacker which neutralizes his or her strength.
Most every Jiu Jitsu gym’s classes welcome women. Some gyms have women’s only classes, but I would not recommend this unless you really think the only person that could ever attack you would be a woman. That’s not incredibly likely, though. If the gym is legit, the men will be courteous and respectful so you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Additionally, training with stronger men will make you better and more prepared for the realities of an attack narrative playing out.
