How to Choose the Right Self-Defense Program,You Want to Get it Right the First Time.
1.Does the program come from real life training and experience in a field that deals with violence and criminals? This excludes sports, theory-based self defense, power point training and is, by nature, more than knowing how to kick and punch. You want the self-defense programs primary training focus to be defending and dealing with violence from a criminal.
2.Where are the instructors getting their lesson plans? This is very important. Many programs do not have a structured and organized written curriculum. It’s the equivalent to attending school and your teacher scribbles out the lesson plan on the same day.
3.Do students get a training manual? A step by step manual is a valuable learning tool, especially when learning self-defense.
4.Does the program and do the instructors operate from a single and organized source or is everyone flying solo? It’s not difficult to obtain a certification in something, however after that, what is in place that maintains quality control, consistency, and professionalism? Checks and balances are very important.
5.Does the program have specific training for what they are advertising that they teach? If your child needs training to deal with a bully, the program you pick should have legitimate experience and training in this area. This should be across that board. Whether it’s a corporation or training teens, ask how and what are your qualifications to teach that market.
6.Can I verify with the affiliate company you are with that you are in good standing? This is if they are part of and receive their training from an affiliate organization. If they are a stand-alone system, ask if they have company or client references that you can verify. Social proof is very important, especially when it involves training that needs to work in real life.
7.Is this program a brand or a single location? This is important especially when it comes to creating and developing a consistent, organized and professional end product. Brands of all types are widely preferred by the market over a small mom-and-pop type of service.
The market desires a refined and proven product and that’s what a brand name brings. They also feel more comfortable spending money with an established brand that they can do research on. Examples: Amazon, Starbucks, NFL. Just because it isn’t a brand doesn’t mean the program isn’t of high quality. It’s just very important to ask the right questions and do your research.
8.How long has the program been around? Anyone can open a business. Staying in business is where the real work begins. A long-established business usually (but not always) indicates that the company is successful, professional, and offering a great product. You don’t want them to go out of business before your membership runs out.
9.If you are a company/business/corporation and are looking for a self-defense trainer, ask how many companies has the program trained? Both large and small. A professional and legitimate self-defense company who has specific training for specific businesses should be able to provide an extensive client list.
10.Where do you and your instructors get on-going training? When you get a certification to teach self-defense, you are letting everyone know that you offer realistic self-defense training that could save someone’s life in the real world. It’s critical for a self-defense professional to keep their training up to date. Physical techniques are a perishable skill and knowledge of how criminals operate is always changing. Manuals, videos, consultations and in person physical training are all great ways to stay up to speed on reality self-defense training if you are and instructor.
One More Very Important Consideration:
If the instructor / system /company speaks negativity or in a derogatory manner about other programs, you may want to hold on to your money and keep looking. Trying sell your service by putting other services down is very unprofessional in any industry. If you are seeking out life saving training for yourself / family and you are met with unprofessional statements before your very first class, you should really consider if joining such a program is the right decision.
Keep This in Mind
One of the most important, if not the most important skill a person could posses is the ability to stay safe and stop a violent threat. This has nothing to do with a sport, winning a trophy or title belt. Watching YouTube videos or adopting ideas from hearsay, example “ I will put my keys between my fingers and hit him in the eye” just won’t cut it. Cell phone safety Apps, pepper spray and many other commonly used crutches are used so people can avoid committing to physically training.
Your safety and safety of your family is the most thing in the world. Ask the hard questions, do your research and be sure that the self-defense company you pick for your training is legitimately qualified to teach reality self-defense.
COBRA-Defense was developed from real Law enforcement training and field experience. COBRA is a global Self-Defense brand with locations all over the United States and worldwide.
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