Can Kid's Really Learn to Defend Themselves?

I was listening to a YouTube video last night discussing the reason why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu doesn't award black belts to youth (under 18 yrs old).  There were several comments I agreed with in the discussion, such as not awarding a black belt to an 8 year old. But there were a few point I didn't agree with, and one that worried me immensely. It was the belief this instructor had that kids are incapable of defending themselves against larger opponents or attackers.

The instructor in the video commented that kids can't be black belts in Brazillian Jiu-jitsu because they aren't big and strong enough to defend themselves until they are a minimum of 18-21 yrs old. Say what??? I am okay saying they can't be black belts until that age because they are not mature enough or because their bodies are not physically developed to complete all the techniques, but to say they can't defend themselves until this age is crazy! (Now, I know not every BJJ instructor or program has this belief.  For example we don't, and the school I came up with didn't have this belief).

First, let me set my standard on defending an attack.  I believe it is the ability to break the grab attack, block the strike or weapon attack, and then get away! Isn't getting away the real goal? And I don't believe you need to be a black belt to do this. I start out day one with all students teaching them how to defend themselves. Realistically, it take about a year of training to have enough knowledge to defend most attacks, but I believe students who only take one month of classes from me are better prepared to defend and attack then someone who hasn't taken any self defense. Of course, a black belt is going to be more prepared to defend themselves, but that doesn't mean white belts can't defend themselves.

Second, let me tell you my standard for awarding a black belt (adult or junior black belt), so that you know I stand for my belief that kids can defend themselves. In my opinion a truly skilled black belt must have "the ability to defend oneself against any attack thrown – grab, weapon, ground attack, etc.  Defense skills used must be effective [and one must demonstrate the] ability to defend oneself, escape, and never give up." There are additional requirements such as time in training, good moral character, fitness etc., but I hope this cuts to my point that I believe kids and adults have the ability to defend themselves against an attacker.

FYI - In our school, it takes about 8-10 years for an average kid to achieve Junior Black Belt and 1-5 years more to earn full Black Belt. That means a kid who starts at 6 year old (our minimum age to start teaching actual self defense skills) won't be qualified to earn a junior black belt until a minimum age of 14 yrs.  And yes, I know my 14 year old students can defend themselves. That doesn't mean I am going to throw them into a group of gangbangers and say, "defend yourself."  It means that if they use all of their abilities to avoid an attack, then if one does unfortunately arise, I know they will do everything possible to survive that situation. For full Black Belt I do not have a minimum age, but 16 years old is about the youngest most youth are prepared for the responsibility of being a Black Belt and have the maturity to complete all the requirements for full Black Belt. This is my standard and those who don't agree or like this standard can seek training from a different school, but I believe this sets a high standard for Black Belt that is reasonable and obtainable. But I am getting off point....

Back to why I believe kids can learn to defend themselves.

My Reasoning behind my Belief

1. I have seen it first hand over 24 years of teaching youth. It only takes one good strike, kick, or putting up a strong fight to distract an attacker long enough to get away. Remember, getting away is the goal! 
2. Watch the news. About once per year, I see a kid who defends a kidnapper, attacker, etc. If this isn't enough proof than nothing I can say will change your mind, and we will just have to agree to disagree on this point.

Bad things happen. You can do everything possible to avoid them, but they may still happen.  I teach kids to defend themselves in case something bad does happen.  And I believe 100% that a child under the age of 18 can defend themselves.

-Peace

My Favorite Martial Arts Books

Over the years I have collected a list of my favorite martial arts related books.  I hope you enjoy. Happy Reading.

Books related to Self Defense

 The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker

Books related to Martial Artist's Philosophy

 Moving Zen: Karate as a Way to Gentleness by C.W. Nicol

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

What to Say When you Talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstertter, Ph.D. 

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Stephen R. Covey

Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony by Ming-Dao Deng

Books related to Martial Arts Technique

Ed Parker's Infinite Insights into Kenpo (Series) by Ed Parker

Essential Anatomy: For Healing and Martial Arts by Mac Tedeschi

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique by Renzo Gracie

Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu Self Defense Techniques by Royce Gracie

Jiu-Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro

The Gracie Diet by Rorion Gracie

Books related to Martial Art Sport

My Fight/Your Fight by Ronda Rousey

Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi

Sound Like a Good Read

I Got this. To Gold and Beyond by Laurie Hernandez

Background:

All of the books listed here, I have read and many are in my personal library.

Over the years I have been required to read several books for advancement in the Martial Arts. Some of the books I enjoyed and have found beneficial. (I have included some of those books here). Others were dry and unreasonable (they are not listed). 

Welcome to the Black Belt Club

I have now been teaching martial arts for 21 years. Last week, I promoted one student to 1st Dan Black Belt and two students to Jr. Black Belts. They are all youth under the age of 18 who all have put in over 8 years of martial arts training. They began their martial art's journeys at the ages of 5, 7, and 9 years old.

As an instructor, I feel it is a big responsibility and honor to promote a student to black belt. Very few people strive to achieve this level of proficiency and even fewer actually complete the journey.

As I write this, many people are frustrated with our youth, politics, and society. When I get this way, I think about these fantastic young people and my other black belt friends. Many people worry about the future of our country and the next generation. I am not much older than these youth, but if these young people were in charge, I would have no worries. 

When I earned my black belt 15 years ago, I didn't realize how much being a part of the "black belt club" would create so many long term friendships. Some black belt friendships have diminished throughout the years but without trying they are often replaced with new black belt friendships. Being a part of the "black belt club" creates a unique mindset about life that very few other groups can emulate.

I am excited and very proud of my black belts and especially these three new black belts. I am proud of them for overcoming obstacles to make their goal happen. I am excited for their future. My wisdom is still growing, but the little bit I have tells me these new black belts will use their black belt life skills to their advantage in their futures. 

New Black Belts - Welcome to the Black Belt Club. It is an honor to be your instructor and welcome you to the team. 

What am I Willing to do for my Black Belt?

I am willing to do a lot for my black belt.  I am not sure that writing a list will do it justice. But, I do know that telling you what I am not willing to do will help you understand. I will not jeopardize my schooling or education [FYI - required to keep good grades for black belt]. I will not choose my black belt over my cello [FYI - she is the president of the cello club and is earning her black belt leadership hours through this position], and I obviously will not hurt anyone. My education is very important to me and my parents. My cello is my stress relief, and I can honestly say that if I didn't have it I would not last very long in the Black Belt Cycle.

I am confident enough to say that I am  willing to drop a social event or even my job [part-time summer/after school job].  At 17, I am not financially responsible, but I am dedicated to martial arts, so if I need more time, my job would be the first thing I would drop. I am willing to brave the frustration and tears that come with this test of character, and I know that there will be a lot of them.

Instructor's Note: She passed her Pre-Test 1 will 100%!

- NB, Black Belt Candidate.

Black Belt Candidate Retreat 2016

The candidates completed a High Ropes Course at this year's Black Belt Candidate Retreat. Afterward, they were asked to reflect on what they learned.  Here is what they said (edited to maintain privacy). I enjoyed reading these reflections and was pleased to notice that as they wrote, it became more clear to them on how their martial arts training contributed to the activity. Hence, the objective of the activity and the reflection assignment.

Candidate #1
During the Black Belt Retreat, I honestly wasn't really thinking about Martial Arts at all. That's not entirely true; I was thinking about the fact that we all own clothes outside of our uniforms. I had been worried about making a five minute obstacle course into a 35-minute one, and having a good time regardless the quality of the obstacles themselves. Now, looking back on my “act" with critical eyes in martial arts mode made me start thinking how I used what I know during it. For instance, I was given good balance, and at one point on the far edge with the balance beam, I almost fell, so I dropped down into a sort-of half stance to lower my center gravity and gain more balance. Thankfully, this worked, and no people fell. As I was climbing the Staircase to Nowhere, I
noticed the stairs started swinging side to side with each step. So I applied Economy of Movement and rotated it into a back to front motion. This made climbing easier, as the step swung me forward to the next just in time for me to place my foot on the next one. In waiting for traffic to dissipate, I practiced patience (and being polite). When I went on the ropes with the mesh nets to the right, Ineeded hand-eye synchronization, as gained in sparring. Whatever was used, I thoroughly enjoyed that retreat.

- PB, Jr. Black Belt Candidate, 13 Years Old

Candidate #2

I believe that my Martial Arts skills contributed [during the Black Belt Retreat] in the form of balance.  Practicing balance in class help because there were a couple of obstacles that required me to walk along on erope or one beam.  Being a "crane" is awesome.  I couldn't think of a mental way that Martial Arts helped me until I thought of the obstacles I didn't want to do.  Some I thought would be difficult but then I persevered.  [In conclusion,] perseverance helped me as well as balance.

- RD, Jr. Black Belt Candidate, 14 Years Old

Candidate #3

A lot of the skills I used for the retreat were mental, which surprised me a little.  But [on] the physical ones I did use strength and balance.  The muscles I used to do the more tricky obstacles came from the exercises we do in class, and it was cool to see how my muscles could carry me.  The balance, I feel, came from kata [training].  An example would be learning how to shift my weight from foot to foot, or having to hold a stance until I got my hands in the correct [place].  The mental abilities can in a lot more when I was scared to try something new.  But when I was scared I thought about sparring, and how an opponent might be tough, but you just have to keep moving.  If you keep moving it's easy to use the perseverance that I learned to carry my through.  

- NB, Black Belt Candidate, 17 Years Old

Why I Want to be a Black Belt

Our Summer 2016 Black Belt Candidates completed their Qualification Test to become official Black Belt Candidates.  They were asked to explain in writing why they want to earn their Black Belts this year.  Here are their responses (edited for privacy).  

Why Do I Want to Take Your Black Belt Exam This Year?

I want to take the exam this year because I want my black belt before I graduate [high school]. I know that my head is getting scared even though my body is ready, if I make an effort and push myself to go for it then I know that I can do it. I want to take this exam because I need to prove it to my head that my body knows what it is doing and can lead the way. I need to take it now because I feel that I will lose a lot of motivation and continually make excuses if I graduate without getting my black belt. I also know that if I have the confidence of a black belt I can apply that to the real world and I might be able to make the transition to an adult a bit easier, I want to take my black belt exam this year because I currently think I cannot do it, even when I know that I can.

-NB, Black Belt Candidate, 17 Years Old

I want to take your black belt exam this year.

[First], stupid reason out of the way: [because] black belts are cool.

Second reason is how I deal with insults. If they start to get to me, I remember exactly how far I've come in Martial Arts. I don't try to use them, or provoke, I just tell myself what I'm capable of and how far I've come. Finally being able to complete my training would result in a bullet-proof defense in my mind. I catch a lot of insults, and being able to tell myself whenever I'm being belittled that I could endure nine years of martial arts and complete the path to Black gives me the power to shake or laugh it off. If I can forgive and turn it into a funny situation, I walk out on top.

Third is for the obvious reason. Being capable of defending myself extremely efficiently gives me peace of mind. I hear too many stories of people being attacked and failing to defend. I refuse to ever let that happen to me. I'm not worth whatever ransom is asked (if there is one).

As a black belt, I feel I can help the younger kids a little more. Being able to help warn and teach them what they need to know to progress seems like it's the right thing to do. [Our advanced students] all helped me. I could help people like [our blue and yellow belts] who still don't really know what they're in for quite yet. (Bighead comment: Being a role model who made it to Black can prove it's not impossible. #SoVain)

Emotional and Cheering Squad support for my friends like [fellow candidates] or others when they make it to this point, as the BB Team [has] supported me and my fellow candidates to red-black.

I've named all the practical reasons I can think of, leaving me with just a bunch of stuff to inflate my head that I should repress...

- PB, Jr. Black Belt Candidate, 13 Years Old

I want to take my BB exam this year because I believe I can do it and I also don't want to be left behind. Being in Alaska for 2 years [and attending classes through skype] made by advancements slow down. I know I have caught up [now that I am back living in Utah], but I want someone who is doing the same thing so that we can help each other.

Instructor Note - While living in Alaska, this person attended live classes and tested using XBox 360 Kinect. They were a Green belt when they left for Alaska and a Brown belt with them came back. They currently live 45 miles away from class, so they attend class once per week via XBOX 360 Kinect and once per week in person. This has required a ton of dedication, perseverance, and willingness to overcome challenges.

-RD, Jr. Black Candidate, 14 Years Old.