Wednesday 12 October 2016

Matt Fiddes reveals the three self-defense moves every child should know

 

The three moves that could save your child's life: Martial arts teacher reveals the self defence tricks ALL youngsters need to know (and why they should never shout 'help')*

  • Matt Fiddes reveals the three self-defense moves every child should know
  • He advises that children shout fire instead of help in an emergency  
  • The three moves are designed to prevent child abduction  
It's every parent's worst nightmare: the thought of a predator cornering their vulnerable offspring leaving them trapped and unable to do anything to save themselves.
However, it turns out that children are not so helpless and it could take just three moves for them to ward off an attacker.
Martial arts teacher Matt Fiddes, from Calne, Wiltshire, has revealed to the MailOnline the self defence moves that can free a child from the grip of an attacker. 
Fiddes worked as Michael Jackson's bodyguard for more more than 10 years.**

With the help of 11-year-old Melissa Martial arts teacher Matt Fiddes demonstrates the three moves that could prevent a child from being abducted 
With the help of 11-year-old Melissa Martial arts teacher Matt Fiddes demonstrates the three moves that could prevent a child from being abducted 
Martial arts teacher Matt Fiddes worked as Michael Jackson's bodyguard for more than 10 years (pictured together in 2002 alongside David Blaine)
Martial arts teacher Matt Fiddes worked as Michael Jackson's bodyguard for more than 10 years (pictured together in 2002 alongside David Blaine)

In the video, with the help of 11-year-old Melissa, he demonstrates the surprisingly simple techniques that he thinks are a must for all youngsters.
Interestingly, Matt advises that in an emergency situation children (and adults alike) should avoid yelling 'help'. 
If the worst was to happen Matt suggests shouting 'fire' as an alternative as studies show it encourages more attention from the public.
Crystal Castelino, program director of Abuse: Survival Stories says that this is because people 'are more concerned with their own lives'. 
But aside from knowing what to say in a dangerous situation, here Matt reveals the three simple actions a child can take.
ARM TWIST AND RELEASE 
This move is required if a child has been grabbed by the wrist as it allows them to escape without an exhausting struggle.
If the attacker has hold of your wrist twist it slightly to loosen the grip. 
If the attacker has grabbed a child by the wrist they should twist their wrist to loosen the grip and then pull away using the most slender part of their arm 
If the attacker has grabbed a child by the wrist they should twist their wrist to loosen the grip and then pull away using the most slender part of their arm 
Then you must pull away using the narrowest part of your wrist to break through the gap between the fingers and thumb. 
FRONT CHOKE AND RELEASE
If an attacker approaches your child face on they are likely to grab them by the neck.
Although this might seem like a near impossible situation to escape from the front choke and release could see them free in seconds.
In the event of an attacker grabbing a child by the neck they should forcibly kick the groin of the attacker
In the event of an attacker grabbing a child by the neck they should forcibly kick the groin of the attacker
Next the victim should bring their arms up
They should then strike their fists down onto their attackers forearms
Next the victim should bring their arms up (left) and strike their fists down onto their attackers forearms (right)
In that position a child should make a hard kick to the groin. Next they should bring their arms up and strike their fists down onto their attackers forearms.
This leaves them with the opportunity to run away while calling out 'fire' for help.
BEAR HUG AND RELEASE
You will often see the bear hug attack re-enacted in films with it involving the attacker coming up behind their victim and holding their arms down in a 'hug'.
In a bear hug style attack the victim will be grabbed from behind by their predator 
In a bear hug style attack the victim will be grabbed from behind by their predator 
They should stamp down on the attacker's foot causing them pain and making them loosen their grip
They should stamp down on the attacker's foot causing them pain and making them loosen their grip
In this position a small child may seem pretty helpless but Matt advises that a hard stamp on their foot could leave them in enough pain to loosen their grip.
As the attacker responds to the pain the victim should duck and escape by pushing back under the arm.
Once free their final move should involve a hard push from behind before turning to run.   
As the attacker responds to the pain the victim should duck and escape by pushing back under the arm
According to Matt the attacker should be weakened by the painful foot stomp
As the attacker responds to the pain the victim should duck and escape by pushing back under the arm (pictured left and right) 
Once free their final move should involve a hard push from behind before turning to run
Once free their final move should involve a hard push from behind before turning to run

* ???

** Where were his bodyguards when Michael Jackson was murdered?