High School Self-Defense
In 2004, The Coppell Police Department took a page from their successful Women's Self-Defense Class and began offering a separate program focused on educating and instructing female members of Coppell High School's Senior Class.
Why would we target such a specific group of young women? The truth is many of these female graduates will soon move away to join the workforce or attend college. The life-long support group they had readily available to them could now be hours instead of minutes away. For the first time in a long time, they will have to rely on their own knowledge and skill sets to help them avoid and/or survive a violent encounter.
The police department believes that these women can benefit from a program teaching them various skills and techniques making them them more confident and keeping them safe in dangerous situations. The only criteria for those wishing to participate in this program is that they are a Senior at Coppell High School or a Senior at New Tech High School and at least 17 years of age.
The Self-Defense Course ended with a kick, a punch, and a stomp!
The high school senior class girls ended the 2013 self-defense course with an incredible display of courage and fighting spirit. Traditionally, the last night of the course is the padded suit sparring drill. Each girl took a turn at the Officer in a padded suit to demonstrate all that they learned through out the course. Everyone did an outstanding job! The Officers involved were proud of the girls for their effort and enthusiasm .
A big thank you goes out to all the girls that attended the course and to all the Officers for their time in making this a successful program. The Coppell Police Departments wishes the girls good luck next year and to be safe!
Program Goals
What is taught in the class is not fool proof nor appropriate for every situation but it does give the students confidence to know they may have an option; a tool they can use if needed. The program goals are:
- To develop a higher sense of awareness that may enable the student to avoid dangerous situations
- To teach the student how to react during situations that could be hazardous. The class helps develop self-confidence as they realize they can fight back against a person much larger or stronger than they are
- To empower the student to be a survivor and not a victim.
Class Topics
Officers from the Coppell Police Department present various personal safety strategies that will help prepare students for potential confrontations. Officers demonstrate simple physical techniques that are easily learned and easily retained. There are no complex holds or moves that require weeks of practice. Instead, the techniques presented are part of the Police Department's defensive tactics curriculum and are simple to learn, yet effective, under stressful situations.
The course first teaches students how to recognize real threats to their personal safety. Students then learn the key elements of self defense and how to apply them during a dangerous confrontation. "Escape" strategies are emphasized as the best option if a student is attacked. Finally, students learn how protect themselves if escape is not an option. Mental imaging and scenario-based drills are presented to help emphasize these important lessons.
Although it is a serious class, the Officers try to present the material in an informal way. Many former students have commented that they had a great time learning from the officers in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
For more information about this program, contact Officer R.J. Harr at 972-304-3625 or rharr@coppelltx.gov