‘Be bold, be brief, be gone’: Kids can learn self-defense this summer at Merced College

Last year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received 28,886 reported missing children cases. An overwhelming majority of these cases – 25,306, or 87.6% – have been resolved.

However, 3,580 cases remain active.

“How would I feel if one of those faces ended up on a poster that said ‘Have you seen this child,” said Sid Rayford, who co-owns Rayford Shorin-ryu dojo with his wife, Amy.

“We both have basically dedicated our lives to making sure that no kids that we come into contact with will ever end up on one of those posters, that would break my heart.”

That is why the couple is teaching Streetwise Self-Defense to boys and girls ages 7-14 years old.

Merriam-Webster defines streetwise as: possessing the skills and attitudes necessary to survive in a difficult or dangerous situation or environment.

Kids are learning self-defense skills that they can use when faced with danger. The class is currently offered at the Merced College for Kids summer program.

During this class the moves are first demonstrated to the class. From there, students practice going through the motions until finally they practice the moves on each other. Many students expressed that working with partners is their favorite part of the class.

To ensure safety, students go through the moves slowly and controlled, never using their full force when practicing on others. Sid and Amy Rayford are also constantly monitoring and interacting with students.

Students are taught communication skills, how to relocate themselves from danger, and if they can’t get away students are taught the skills to fight off an attacker in order to create a chance to relocate. This is a three-step process referred to as conversation, relocation, and devastation.

“We help them to consider things that they never give thought to. How they’re being looked at, you know, when they’re walking down the street, and a car has just gone by for the third or fourth time they’re not looking for an address, we tell them, they’re looking at you,” Sid Rayford said.

Kids taking session two of this class, all said yes to the class, making them feel better prepared for defending themselves. Students said they enjoy learning the different techniques. Some shared that the reason they are taking this class is to be ready if they are ever in danger.

“So I can defend myself just in case of an emergency,” said 8-year-old student Natalie Gonzalez.

Sid, 61, started practicing karate in 1969 when he was 7. He has been a karate and self-defense instructor for 34 years.

Sid describes his teaching style as informative. He knows that not everyone learns the same way and when teaching he gets on the students level in order to ensure each one understands.

Growing up, Sid played football, basketball, track, and baseball throughout high school, as well as being a drum major in band.

“I didn’t have trouble going from one sport to the other because the karate kept my body in shape to do anything I wanted to,” Sid said.

Sid would go on to play football and run track at Fresno City College.

In 1997, Sid moved to Merced from Hanford and started teaching students out of his garage. Two months later the class grew so big that it was time to find a dojo. Today you can find their dojo in Merced at 1860 K St.

Members of their dojo can learn traditional Okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate and Okinawan Weapons. Sid says what sets them apart from other schools is their application style. Students have a chance to apply what they learn through practicing safely with a partner. Competition is something that they do not focus on. They teach their students, “Be Bold, Be Brief, Be Gone.”

Sid has also earned many martial arts honors including inductions into four Martial Arts Hall of Fames’. Currently he is the National President of the American Teachers Association of the Martial Arts.

The Rayfords are into the proactive approach, relating the learning of self-defense and karate to an insurance policy. Something that Sid has noticed is that many parents prioritize fun over function. He says their main goal is not to make it fun but to make sure those that they train never become a victim.

“It’s basically an insurance policy. Where you train with the idea of hoping to never needing it,” Amy said. “But if that day comes you’re very thankful that you do have some answers that can get you out of a bad situation.”

Streetwise self-defense classes are still being offered at Merced College. Session two has already started and will end July 3. Future sessions are July 8-18 and July 22-Aug. 1. All sessions are from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Cost is $100.

Those interested can sign up here.