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Yuma Kids Learn How to Defend Themselves

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Story by Felicia Martinez, Weekend Anchor/Reporter - bio | email

YUMA,  AZ - With two attempted kidnappings in less than a week in the Desert Southwest, Martial Art Masters are teaching kids self defense at Bratcher's Karate in Yuma.

Professor Leon Jay, A 9th Degree Black Belt and Master of Small Circle Jiu-Jitsu tells his students the first line of defense is in your mind. He says, "It's not necessarily beating people up, it's just being smart and knowing where not to be. Awareness is important and how to develop that awareness and stay aware."

The next step is learning some basic skills to actually prepare you for an attack. Ken Smith, a Master of Tapi-Tapi says, "Theirs pressure points all over the human body and we use a lot in our self defense system to make somebody let go of you." According to Will Higginbotham, a 9th Grand Master of RyuKyu Kempo, the most crucial point of attack is the legs. He says, "If they can't come after you they can't hurt you. So we do a lot with attacking points on the legs so they can't move after you. Plus, an adult has an incredibly hard time protecting their legs against a small child that's kicking them in the legs."

For 13-year-old Travis Cox earning both awareness and physical skills makes him feel more prepared and confident if he's ever attacked. He tells News 13 how he'd handle his attacker. "I would take them down with a wrist lock and finger lock and choke or strangle them and use pressure points."

According to the Masters at Hand kids aren't the only ones benefiting from self defense but parent can learn valuable tips as well. Higginbotham says its vital parents teach their kids the basic psychology behind abduction and how to behave to stranger danger. He says, "Don't act like a spoiled kid that's misbehaving tell people around you this isn't my father my bother I don't know these people."

Parents tell News 13, having their kids involved in self defense gives them some peace of mind. For more information on Self Defense or to participate in the 3 Amigos Martial Arts Seminar and its uniqueness to Self Defense contact Bratcher's Karate in Yuma at 928.317.3007.