I’m a sucker for card decks. I also enjoy Jennifer Lawler’s writing (Training Women in the Martial Arts: A Special Journey, Tae Kwon Do for Women, Dojo Wisdom and others). So, when I saw this deck, I had to check it out.
The deck contains 50 cards, each containing an illustration, description, and tips for a single self-defense technique. The cards are broken down into four categories: Planning and Setting Boundaries, Nonviolent Strategies, Basic Physical Techniques, Advanced Physical Techniques. About one-third of the deck covers non-physical strategies, many of which are common sense to anyone with even minimal self-defense training. However, no collection of self-defense techniques would be complete without them. The Basic Physical Techniques are extremely basic — throwing a punch, for example. The Advanced Physical Techniques are things you’d learn in a martial arts class, such as a side kick to the knee or hip throws.
Of course, you’re not going to really be able to learn physical self-defense well from any written material. The techniques require practice and, in my opinion, should be taught by a qualified instructor. But I can see where this deck would be a valuable resource for someone teaching self-defense, effectively providing a series of “lesson plans”. I find the descriptions of the techniques clear and easy to follow.
I wouldn’t recommend this deck for learning physical self-defense. I’m finding it useful as a set of practice reminders; I can take one card a day and focus on that technique. Being cards, they’re sturdy and can be propped up in view for practice, something hard to do with a book.
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Tags: product review, Self-Defense
