Self Defence Seminar with Phil Thompson

This Inside TKDC post looks back at a self defence seminar delivered by Mr Phil Thompson, run specifically for Taekwon-Do instructors. The purpose of the seminar was to give instructors a clearer understanding of how self defence principles fit within a Taekwon-Do environment, and how they can be taught responsibly alongside traditional training.

Mr Thompson is widely regarded as New Zealand’s leading expert in self defence and violence prevention. With more than 20 years of experience, he has trained thousands of people across all sectors, including corporate teams, senior executives, public figures, students, and police officers. His approach focuses on awareness, decision-making, and appropriate response rather than technique alone.

One of the key themes covered in this seminar is the concept used in the New Zealand Self Defence Syllabus of teaching both an A Response and a B Response to an attack. The A Response applies in lower-risk situations where the threat is not serious, such as a child being grabbed at school. The B Response is reserved for life-threatening situations, where the priority is to do whatever is necessary to escape and reach safety.

This A and B Response framework was a topic of considerable discussion during the development of the ITFNZ self defence handbook, with differing opinions among those involved in its writing. In this clip, Mr Thompson explains the reasoning behind each response, the circumstances in which they are appropriate, and why understanding the distinction is so important for instructors.

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Self Defence Seminar with Phil Thompson – Full Video

The full seminar provides valuable insight for instructors looking to improve how they teach self defence within their classes, balancing realism, safety, and responsibility.

Sample Clip

In the sample clip above, Mr Thompson discusses the differences between the A and B Responses, and why instructors must be clear about when each approach is appropriate. It offers valuable context for those involved in syllabus development, instructor training, and responsible self defence education.