Karate Instructor Teaches Students Self-Defense In Unique Anti-Bullying Program

High school officials are arming students with basic self-defense moves and strategies to deter bullying as part of a program that uses a black belt in karate to show students how not to be victims.

Martial arts instructor Phil Ross worked with about 800 students in his "Building Esteem Today" program, in which he shows students how to use their posture and voice to deter bullies, as well as some basic "block and rock" self-defense moves to use in a worst-case scenario.

"We're going to arm ourselves with tools so we're ready," said Ross, a seventh-degree black belt who owns a karate studio in Ho-Ho-Kus. "We can stamp this nonsense out."

Eighth-grade students at participated in the program this week. It culminated with students breaking wooden boards with their bare hands, which Benevento said was a big hit in all the groups.

"They can do something that they don't think they can do," Benevento said.

According to Athletic Director Trish Benevento, this may be the first time a program like this — teaching students how not to be victims — has been taught to middle school-aged students in Bergen County.

"There's so much on not bullying," Benevento said. "Now we want to take a different approach."

Ross, who runs the American Eagle Mixed Martial Arts studio in Ho-Ho-Kus, is also a Patch blogger.