Extra Protection

2:30pm Friday 15th February 2008

IT was nothing more than a quick flick of the wrist, but it could prove invaluable in a dangerous situation.

Leonie Kersey was showing me a simple self-defence move which would release someone's grip if they grabbed you by the wrist.

It didn't need strength, it was all about knowing how to use your body to your advantage if you were attacked.

It is one of a number of self-defence moves which will be taught at a new women-only self-defence class in Colchester.

The Baggy T-Shirts Group is being launched at the SD School of Martial Arts base at Moorside in response to the many requests it has received from women who said they want to learn self-defence, keep fit and, perhaps, lose weight, but in a female-only environment and without the pressure of having to grade for belts.

As well as learning about punching, kicking and blocking, black-belt instructor Leonie said the course would help women learn about how to be more aware of their surroundings to avoid a dangerous situation in the first place.

If they were ever attacked, they will be armed with moves to help them get away.

It could be as simple as poking someone in the eyes, it could be using their handbag as a weapon, but the ultimate aim is to escape that dangerous situation and get to safety quickly.

"It is all about knowing how to use your body," stressed Leonie.

"It is using your body and using his (the attacker's) body to help you get away."

Sean Doyland, chief instructor at the club, said: "The classes will be designed to help women become fitter and teach them all-important elements of self-defence."

The aim is for women taking part in the course to steadily improve their self-defence skills and fitness over the weeks.

It is hoped that once the women have perfected the moves, they will be able to feel more confident going out and will not have a "situation freeze" if they are faced with a dangerous situation.

After a certain number of classes, members will have the chance to deal with a stunted hostile attack.

"We take them into the car park and rig-up an attack by one of our instructors dressed in a special body-armour suit," explained Sean.

"The women will be able to put into place what they have learned because the person inside the suit can be kicked and punched and won't feel a thing.

"We will video the "attack" and analyse how they dealt with the situation."

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