The OSUPD Station will host a free self-defense class on Sept. 29. Credit: Grace Everett | Lantern Reporter
Ohio State students can learn hands-on self-defense techniques and personal safety during a free, two-hour course hosted by the Ohio State University Police Division – or OSUPD – on Sept. 29.
The course will teach students strikes, kicks and choke defenses while emphasizing awareness, prevention and self-confidence, Lt. Bruce Allen of OSUPD said. The class will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the new OSUPD Gateway Substation – located at E. 11th Ave. – and will be limited to 30 students.?
The Empowerment and Self-Defense Training Course is an effort to give students resources during the first few critical moments of a dangerous situation, Allen said. The goal is for students to leave feeling confident and prepared to respond during a dangerous situation, Allen said.
“Those first couple minutes where you’re waiting for a police officer to arrive can be very scary,” Allen said.?
This is an introduction to basic self-defense techniques and is designed for beginner students, Allen said.
“This is a very high level,” Allen said. “It’s going to give you some good tools, it’s going to give you some good resources, but you know, this is kind of the jumping off point.”?
The course is designed to be active and physical while also teaching additional techniques students can use to prevent these situations from occurring, Allen said.?
Allen also said awareness of surroundings is always encouraged and recommended. Students should walk with a friend and, when possible, consider the time of day when walking around campus and Columbus, he said.
“High Street can look very different from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.,” Allen said. “At 3 a.m., if I’m walking down High Street, myself personally, I’m just going to be a little more on guard, looking around more, just being aware of my surroundings and trying to walk with a friend as much as possible.”
Self-defense courses offered by OSUPD are among the most popular community engagement events they host, offering a course almost once per month except during summer and winter break, Allen said.?
Self-defense can also promote confidence and resilience while helping students understand their bodies’ capabilities, Emma Neer, president of Ohio State’s Judo Club, said in an email.?
Neer began practicing judo, a Japanese martial art that focuses on pinning the opponent to the ground, without any previous experience, Neer said.
“I learned a lot of valuable lessons about my own resilience and I apply that to other parts of my life as well,” Neer said.
This Empowerment and Self-Defense Training course is designed to encourage personal safety to be added to their everyday routines, Allen said.?
“I hope they never have to use any of this stuff we’re talking about,” Allen said. “But I hope they feel more confident and that they feel more safe.”
