Israeli self-defence method teaches youngsters how to fend off attackers

At first glance, the workshop seems just like any other playgroup as parents and children are sitting in pairs, taking instructions from the trainer, sharing lots of laughter as they tumble on the floor. Only that it is equipping children to handle situations much tougher than what they would encounter in their usual school and play: how to scream, shout, bite, kick and scratch their way out of trouble in case of kidnapping attempts or attacks.

They are learning Krav Maga, a self-defence system developed for the military in Israel. It consists of a variety of techniques sourced from different streams of martial arts. Emphasising real-life application, it has been adapted to teach women and children how to escape attackers who are bigger and stronger.

"We live in a dangerous world, and children have to learn about it. Somehow they already intuitively sense that there are violence and danger in this world," says Shlomi Moyal, head of the women and children's training division of the International Krav Maga Federation. He has been teaching the course across the world for about 20 years, including in Hong Kong.

"It is just a matter of acknowledging them and teaching them the right skills to handle them. Think of it as one of those life skills, like reading and writing, and swimming. There is no excuse to skip over such an important life skill like protecting yourself in a dangerous situation."

A typical Krav Maga workshop comprises lecture, play and practice with different scenarios. At first, children are taught about techniques to block attacks and push, and practise them with their parents.

As the workshop proceeds, they are introduced to different scenarios: for example, when a stranger tries to drag you to his car, to lift you up, or to grab you from behind. The children then work on techniques of how to scream for help, biting the adult's hand as hard as they can, and how to kick backward high enough to hit the attacker hard in the groin. Then there is the most important part: once you have freed yourself, run away.