Coaching self-defense under COVID-19: challenges and solutions in the police and civilian domain

Swen Koerner,Mario S Staller

doi:10.1057/s41284-020-00269-9

Abstract

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 has led to a general shutdown of police and civilian self-defense training. While means of distance learning such as online teaching appear to be feasible for theory dominant subjects addressing cognitive resources of the learner, combat-related practices like self-defense trainings don´t seem to fit into the realm of virtual learning due to their bodily foundation. This is made clear by the collective perplexity of police and civilian coaches, gyms and organizations, on how to proceed with training during the lockdown in general, while approaches of distance learning (e.g., online learning) have rarely been considered. In the following article, we tackle the situation of police and civilian self-defense coaches in times of Corona. In a first step, contextual changes and challenges of coaching self-defense are identified through the lenses of a professional coaching model. In line with basic assumptions of ecological dynamics, adaptability seems to be the decisive resource for the coaching and training of self-defense in times of Corona. As an example for such an adaptation in training practice, a conceptual framework for distance-based self-defense training in the civilian and police domain is presented. This framework is adjusted to the respective requirements of physical distancing and adopted to novel security matters within the public sphere caused by the current regulations. In sum, the article attempts to provide ideas and orientation for police and civilian self-defense coaches as well as for their own development possibilities.

Highlights

The corona pandemic triggered by SARS-CoV-2 poses major challenges to modern society worldwide
The development of COVID-19 is dynamic in nature and requires regionally and nationally adapted decisions depending on the current situation (Adam 2020)
Police and self-defense coaching are challenged by the current COVID-19 pandemic and the associated measures of physical distancing

Summary

Introduction

The corona pandemic triggered by SARS-CoV-2 poses major challenges to modern society worldwide. Mouth–nose protection restricts the supply of air, which can increase the physiological arousal of conflict partners and lead to an increasing restriction of cognitive and physical capabilities The identification of these and other contextual and situational parameters of civil conflicts provides specific clues for the training environment of police and civilian self-defense practices to expand and differentiate the scope of what to be taught, e.g., coping with specific corona scenarios under the described restrictions. While under "normal" training conditions, martial arts training aims to ensure a high overall representativeness of tasks, current coaching contexts require an increased splitting up of representativeness and ensuring that a high representativeness is maintained in the sum of individual tasks and exercises This approach is not new in self-defense functionality. Identification (and development) of training content whose training is possible and fits into the longterm development of the learners regarding needed competencies for performance within the criterion environment

Design of representative learning environments

Conclusion