PPD hosts self-defense class

PRESCOTT – Ten women showed up for Saturday’s self-defense class at the Prescott Police Department, learning some of the basics.

The class was taught by Craig Campbell, owner-operator of Texarkana Combat Sports, a martial arts school. Campbell was quick to tell his class the best defense is to avoid getting into a conflict and to get away as quickly as possible. However, he also pointed out they should never turn their back on their attacker. The three-hour class was for people 16 and up, with the focus being on how to escape trouble if it arose.

Campbell, 37, has been training in the martial arts for 30 years, and is a second degree black belt in goju and a first degree black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu. He also wrestles and competes in mixed martial arts competition where he has a 3-3-1 record. His assistant, Ian Hibbs, helped out with demonstrations.

He gave the class the foundation of self defense, starting with making sure they had a good base. The students were instructed how to place their feet and move, literally taking steps forward and to the side. Campbell told them to “talk with their hands”, and always keep their elbows above their sternums. This, he said, would allow them to go into a defensive posture quickly. The defensive posture was to place both open hands on the head and keep the elbows in but not completely closes, making sure the attacker can be seen at all times.

He reminded the class these methods must be practiced or the skills will deteriorate. “Until you do something 100,000 times,” he said, “it’s not yours.”