I'm going RAD...taking a free 5 night course sponsored by our local Police department for adult women. I've no knowledge about this kind of course. Does anyone here teach it, or attended this type of course, and have some feedback/suggestions that could help me maximize my learning?

Thanks.

Never heard of it-what is it?

I'm not exactly sure...of the agenda, or who is teaching, or what it will be about. An email went out to all the women in my town from the local police office offering RAD, self-defense for women. I looked it up and this is what I got on the internet:

http://www.rad-systems.com/

Watched the video clips of what you are suppose to be able to do at the end of training-it takes five nights to learn to flail around ineffectively?

I don't know what is being sold to the women in my town...you could say that I am spying, and that I'm looking to go prepared.

I must say, from the videos, I am not impressed by their lack of emphasis on escaping the scene. It looks like a punch up to me. As fun and rewarding as that may be during training, imho it's the last thing anyone should be doing in a self defense situation. Safely escaping the scene of the altercation should always be the number one priority of any self defense training seminar.

Leo and Neko have points, but lets not get too wrapped up in the technical details yet. I imagine these courses have a large "agression" quotient, simply to gear ladies into the idea of "fight back" as opposed to "don't fight back".

Any type of flailing may be enough to gain the upper hand on an attacker that is expecting intimidation/compliance. Let us know what you find, Harlan.

RAD and MARS both are not designed to be martial arts. They are defensive system that, with minimal practice, can be used to signifigantly increase the potential of escaping an altercation.

They were developed to help keep people a little safer. They are also recognised by law enforcement entities, so in taking this RAD course, if you get a cert card like I got with my MARS and Baton stuff, when you use it on someone [gods forbid], you have proof that you heard the recommendations of the local law enforcement entities, and in that, you may be a little less liable for any damamge that may be done.

Even if everyone knows what they are doing, and don't use one technique taught in the program, you still have proof that you went through it. And, if nothing else, it is good protection for those who may get into a streetfight. One thing I have learned working as a Security Officer, individual police officers see a trained martial artist as a person dedicated to their protection, and applaud them. The LAW, though, does not.

Also, Harlan...have fun with it. You get to beat up a guy in a big padded suit. Don't worry, he can't feel it much.

Awww. thought you were talking about the 80's BMX flick =)

Rape Aggressive Defense sounds like a course that will definitely build endurance and fitness that along with your formal training would be something. It will be interesting to hear your views on what they precieve as Real world tactics and Whats commonly taught as Real world.

I can't wait for your Review on the RAD SYSTEM. I'm really interested in on how it change, enhanced or how objectively you view the course purpose. After you finished/or got the heart of the course. From a experinced MA point of view not a newbie.

I beleive as someone else mentioned it teaches to fighting back. To back that a 12 yr.old defended herself by failing and eventually kneeing the molester in the balls and escaping. Fighting back works, sometimes.