Self-Protection: Regaining Balance After a Shove
A self-protection session where students learn to absorb an unexpected shove from the front, back or side, regain balance with a step, protect the head and create distance to get to a safe zone. If a fall is unavoidable, they use a safe breakfall.
How to play
- Context: the goal of self-protection is not to fall, not to stay and to get out; never to respond with violence (3 min).
- Slow, announced shoves from the front and back: the receiver bends the knees, steps in the direction of the push and returns to an open-hand guard (6 min).
- Shoves from the side and by surprise at medium speed with eyes open: recover with a crossover step and turn to face the pusher (6 min).
- Full sequence: shove, recovery, boundary phrase said loudly and a brisk walk to the safe-zone cone; if balance is lost, safe breakfall on the mat (6 min).
- Wrap-up: what to do afterward (tell someone, get help, report it) and the link to bullying prevention (4 min).
Rules
- Shoves are given with open palms on the shoulders or upper back, never the neck or head.
- The receiver sets the intensity and can ask for softer at any time.
- Behind each receiver there's a mat and a third classmate spotting.
- No one answers a shove with another shove: the response is to recover and leave.
Variations
Easier
All shoves are announced and come only from the front.
Standard
Shoves from three directions with recovery, boundary phrase and exit to a safe zone.
Harder
The receiver wears a lightly loaded backpack to simulate a real street situation.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: in a wheelchair, works on trunk stability against gentle pushes and moving toward the cone.
- Visual impairment: shoves are always announced, and the recovery step is guided by touch.
- Students with experiences of violence: may work only as spotter or observer and choose their partner.
Learning goals
- Regain balance after an unexpected shove.
- Integrate head protection and safe falling into self-protection situations.
- Prioritize leaving and getting help over confrontation.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mats: 10
- cones: 10
Teacher tip
Work in groups of three of similar build and raise the intensity only when everyone has mastered the announced version.
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