Twenty girls recently gathered in the Flathead High School wrestling room — not to practice pinning techniques  but to learn self-defense tactics grounded in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

The recent classes were led by Kalispell Police Department Patrol Sgt. Brett Corbett, who has decades of experience in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Corbett said the premise of this jiu-jitsu is that individuals who are smaller or weaker than their attackers can effectively defend themselves.

The students had a sampling of the basics and practiced over three two-hour sessions that concluded Sept. 25.

A variety of Kalispell Police officers, including school resource officer Cory Clarke, and Flathead teachers also helped out during the workshops. Participants were taught basic self-defense techniques and provided with information about sexual assault and reporting assaults, among other topics.

Police officers and Flathead High School Principal Pete Fusaro wanted to instill confidence — not fear — in girls in the event of an unwanted advance or attack. Although there was a waiting list for students wanting to participate, Fusaro said organizers capped the class at 20 for more one-on-one instruction. Fusaro, Clarke and Corbett said they would be willing to organize future self-defense workshops.

Clarke briefly talked about the incidents of assault that hit close to home. In May, two high school girls reported  being physically assaulted and threatened between South Main Street and Flathead High School. Both were able to escape without being physically harmed by a young man between the ages of 18 and 24.

On the wrestling mat, juniors Whitney Bybee and Indigo ReVander practiced getting out of a choke hold. After several attempts — and out of breath — they sat up. Both have been impacted by assault — whether personally or someone they know.

“It’s wrong to have to expect something bad will happen, but it’s a possibility,” ReVander said.

Bybee ran through some of the moves they learned — “How to get out of neck holds, if someone grabs you by the wrist to take you into their vehicle, you have ways to get out of that and if you don’t want someone to get close to you.”

ReVander said one of the basic moves they practice is “standing up in base.” Earlier Bybee volunteered to practice with Corbett in front of the class.

“I call it the ‘cool sit technique’ because you looked chillaxed, but you’re always on your guard,” Bybee said.

The move began with Bybee sitting on the ground. She had a knee bent up with her arm resting on top and one leg straight on the ground. When Corbett moved toward Bybee, she slid the straightened leg back and stood up in a triangular stance with her arms up in a defensive posture.

“That is so you can’t be knocked over,” ReVander said.

Corbett said that with more practice the moves eventually will become second nature. He said if they are sitting on the floor watching TV, they can easily practice “standing up in base.”

“You don’t have to kick the TV, but make sure you stand in the same way every time. [It will] become natural when you come under pressure,” Corbett said. “It’s easy to forget things when you find yourself under stress.”

Students practiced with partners while Kalispell Police officers such as Michelle O’Neil walked around supervising their techniques. O’Neil is a former resource officer in Kalispell Public Schools.

“We can’t teach every situation, but at least they know the basics,” O’Neil said.

Senior Timberli Barton said she decided to participate to become more educated in personal safety. She said that getting comfortable with some of the moves and scenarios of how a person could potentially attack her was important, particularly when she’s working by herself.

“In the winter it does get dark before I leave” work, Barton said.

O’Neil gave a few key tips for avoiding potentially troublesome situations.

“Pay attention to your surroundings. Be aware. Pay attention to an escape route. Make eye contact with people — let them know that you know they’re there. Don’t be timid, show some confidence,” O’Neil said. “People aren’t going for the people they think are going to fight, they are going to go for the person they think are the easy victim.”

She emphasized that if a sexual assault or rape does occur, it should be reported immediately.

“It’s never easy at any age, but it’s one of the first steps to gaining control in life,” O’Neil said. “Sexual assault is any unwanted touching whether clothes are on or off.”

Before the class was over, Corbett put on a protective chest pad and came at each participant until they gave him their best shot at punching him and getting away.

For support in situations of domestic or sexual violence call the 24-hour Violence Free Crisis Line at 752-7273.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].