Partnering against violence

Half-moon kicks, eye jabs, and terms like "the elbows are fantastic," "get him in the balls" and the "importance of avoidance" were just a few of the issues stressed in the Collins Coffeehouse Monday night. There, the IU Men's Coalition held a self-defense seminar as part of the V-Day Campaign, an ongoing effort to raise awareness and funds to curb violence against women. \n"We're trying to reduce attacks on women and have them walk confidently," IU Self Defense Club President Paul McCarthy said on behalf of IU Men's Coalition, of which he is a member.\nThe seminar, led by Division of Recreational Sports self-defense teacher and IU Self Defense Club, taught excited students different moves for particular situations as well as key concepts for overall protection -- not to mention a little common sense.\n"The key is avoidance," McCarthy started during the seminar. "If you're thinking of going down a dark alley at night, don't go down the dark alley."\nHe stressed the importance of using common sense and avoiding bad situations, including not putting purses or bags across shoulders, which gives a violator the perfect way to choke a victim. Also, activities such as talking on the phone or listening to music could take away from awareness -- a main tool of avoidance. \nThe skills taught were introductory, but can also prove to be effective, McCarthy said. Basic kicks, punches, eye jabs and fighting stances were practiced by two-person teams throughout the night. McCarthy showed some of the best places to hit, such as the nose, which makes an attacker's eyes water, ensuring an easier escape. \n"Aim for the muzzle area," McCarthy said about using punches. "That way, even if he moves, you will hit the jaw or the head."\nSome skills were important, but also fun -- as indicated by participant's chuckles. The "sharp shout," a quick Jackie Chan-like yelp that students practiced while switching stances, surprises the attacker, gives the victim more power and tightens the stomach muscles against a punch, McCarthy said. By using the "tush push" -- swinging the hips back and the arms forward and pushing the backside out -- a victim can create space between himself or herself and the attacker. \nMcCarthy said he highly recommends students to take a class or join the IU Self Defense Club, especially incoming freshmen and women. Members of the club provided extra help and served as models throughout the seminar.\nThe best tip, sophomore Aditi Deodhar said, was the "four concepts" that apply to any situation. The concepts are steps that ultimately lead to safety. \nStep one is to do "anything and everything" to get in a fighting stance. This is mostly a natural defense, such as tensing up. The second step is to "blow smoke" or use any counter attack that will weaken the attacker. The third is to "get out" or basically to loosen any grip or hold the attacker may have. The fourth and final is "fight or flight," the decision and action of running away, or if the attacker is still coming to fight back just enough to get to a safe place. McCarthy recommended the steps to be fast and "blended together."\n"You can't always predict what situation you'll be in," Deodhar said about the four steps. "Having general concepts that can apply to every situation help."\nShe said she agrees with McCarthy that self-defense is important for students at IU. \n"It's definitely needed," she said. "Better safe than sorry."\n- Check out a Feb. 12 IDS article to learn more about IU's V-Day Campaign.