"Shield" Kids Self-Defense
Raleigh, North Carolina
Program Overview
The “S.H.I.E.L.D.” child self-defense system is a program offered by Rapid Fitness. This program is designed in order to protect children and educate parents on the dangers that children face on a daily basis. This program is more than a fighting system, it is designed to help children between the ages of 4 and 14 understand not only the physical dangers that they might face but also the mental dangers as well. The S.H.I.E.L.D. program teaches both physical and mental tools needed to maintain a strong healthy attitude in almost all situations that they might face in childhood and into adulthood. These situations can include bullying, aggression or any unfamiliar contact that is not welcome.
S.H.I.E.L.D. stands for:
Strength
Honor
Integrity
Excellence
Loyalty
Discipline
One of the greatest benefits and advantages to the S.H.I.E.L.D. program is its capacity to be a non-violent form of self-defense. By gaining dominant position in an encounter, mentally or physically, the child can then negotiate with an attacker versus resorting to violence. Only after the negotiation has failed, submissions might occur. Most often in an encounter, mental techniques, taught by the system, can prevent physical contact ever coming into play. Rules are taught to the children in the S.H.I.E.L.D. program giving them the guidelines to follow to help them understand when physical defenses are needed.
A secondary benefit is if the parent wishes to participate in the learning experience, they can, at no charge. Parents can work along side of the children drilling with them. This offers the ability for parents to practice at home with their kids and also bond with their child in a fun and supportive environment.
The classes are broken down into 2 different groups:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm / Monday and Wednesday
Animal Stage
The animal stage is exactly that. Self defense movements (disguised as animals) are played with the instructor or parents in class or at home that help build coordination and create muscle memory. The movements are named after animals, which also include animal descriptions in order to create a mental connection to the technique. This stage serves as the foundation for the curriculum in the combative stages and as a motivational tool. All students must show proficiency in this stage before being allowed to move into the combative stages. Parents are allowed to keep their child in this class until they feel comfortable allowing their child to enter into the combative stage.
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm / Monday and Wednesday
Combative Stage
This section serves to teach the physical elements needed for the S.H.I.E.L.D. program. Body position is emphasized along with control of the opponent. The same techniques that are taught to law enforcement and military personnel are shown to the children but are greatly simplified. Also, potentially dangerous moves are omitted from the program to avoid injury to the younger students. After a child turns 15, they are qualified to begin the adult program.
This 40 lesson curriculum rotates as designed in order to have multiple exposure to the same technique. Parents, if involved in the class, get to repeat the learning process as well to help their growth and their practice skills.
Class Structure:
Animal stage – 30 minutes
15 minutes - warm-up
30 minutes - animal technique demonstration and drilling with instructor(s).
15 minutes - game of the day.
Combative stage – 60 minutes
15 minutes – warm-up
30 minutes – combative technique demonstration and drilling with instructor(s).
15 minutes – peer drilling and/or sparring.
Belt Promotions and Attendance Tracking
Children in the program are tested on the techniques that they learn. Students advance to higher levels based on their attendance and technical knowledge. The more exposure to the curriculum, the sooner they are eligible to test. A series of multicolored belts are given after testing to demonstrate advancement. When the child reaches 15 years of age they are eligible for the adult rank of blue belt.
Biography of Professor Todd Wheeler
Professor Todd Wheeler has spent over 25 years in the study of martial arts. If he had the opportunity, he would have liked to have started at a younger age. Movies and books were his instructors, sometimes to his detriment. After moving to Los Angeles to be with his father at the age of 16, Todd began studying with some of the best martial artists in the world. His first experience teaching kids came when he worked with world renowned martial artist Billy Blanks, creator of Tae Bo. Billy had two kids Todd’s age and he began training with them and helping instruct the kids’ classes at the school. “I was blown away about how young some of the kids were and how excited they were to be in the class,” Todd remembers. “Also, the parents all seemed so proud of their little ones running around enjoying learning how to protect themselves.”
Many years later, Professor Todd was privileged to meet one of the best kids’ Martial Arts instructors in the United States, Steve Cardenas (The Red Power Ranger). Steve was one of Professor Todd’s students and Steve soon began teaching the kids program at Hollywood Brazilian Jiu-jitsu where Todd was teaching adults. After spending many hours with Steve and learning from him, Professor Todd realized the proper approach to kids’ instruction.
“Children are motivated by simple things. One of the most powerful motivators is praise! The word “no” should never be spoken within the school. We can simply make positive adjustments without the negative term. Praise/Correct/Praise is the primary way to install the techniques.”
After becoming a father to a wonderful daughter, Professor Todd soon began to realize that he wanted to have his own daughter start very early. This was something he could control and motivate as a child himself. “The hardest part of training my own daughter at the age of 3 is to make the training a reward, not a chore. It is important for parents to realize that training should not be forced or part of a punishment. What child wants to truly do something if it is considered something they “have to do”?
With all his experience and knowledge, Professor Todd set out to create what he now calls S.H.I.E.L.D. This self/life defense system teaches them not only how to defend them self physically, but to also maintain a healthy attitude towards bullies and peer pressure. Children can learn in a positive environment to defend themselves, and stand up for themselves, making them stronger and more confident people for their entire lives.
Raleigh, North Carolina 27612 Kids Self Defense Gym
Rapid Fitness is the fitness connection in Raleigh, North Carolina. We are the gold standard in the gym business and have the best fitness and exercise center on the planet. We offer such amenities as Boxing Classes, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing Ring, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA Training Center, Cross Training, Free Weights, "Shield" Kids Self-Defense, Largest Cardio Deck in Raleigh, Free WI-FI Lounge, and Juice Bar. As for customer service, all emails are monitored by the owners 24/7. Great gym locations that will raise your O2 level in Raleigh, North Carolina at Glenwood Avenue, Downtown and North Ridge 27612.
