Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.4.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Basics and Methodology of Self-Defense

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
LSPA_233
Branch of Science
Health sciences
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Pedagogy; Sports Trainer
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Einars Pimenovs
Structure Unit Manager
Renārs Līcis
Structural Unit
Department of Individual and Team Sports
Contacts

LSPA, Brīvības gatve 333, Riga, LV-1006

About Study Course

Objective

To develop students’ knowledge, skills, and competences in the fundamentals and methodology of self-defense, ensuring the ability to safely demonstrate, apply, and teach stances, movements, falling techniques, ground and standing fighting techniques. To promote the ability to organize and lead self-defense classes in accordance with safety requirements, pedagogical principles, and the needs of learners of different age groups and levels of preparedness.

Preliminary Knowledge

Basic knowledge in general physical fitness and sports fundamentals is desirable to ensure the safe acquisition and demonstration of self-defense elements. In addition, prior knowledge in pedagogy and sports didactics is required to enable students to prepare for teaching and applying the acquired self-defense techniques in educational practice.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Demonstrates correct stances, movements, grips, falling techniques, and acrobatic elements.

Individual work and tests

Additional work • Independent work

2.Explains safety regulations and risk prevention measures in self-defense classes.

Individual work and tests

Independent work • Additional work

3.Identifies and explains the basic techniques of ground fighting and standing fighting, as well as their teaching specifics.

Individual work and tests

Additional work • Independent work

Skills

1.Demonstrates correct stances, movements, grips, falling techniques, and acrobatic elements.

Individual work and tests

Practical tests

2.Performs ground fighting techniques (holding, pain, and choking grips) in compliance with safety requirements.

Individual work and tests

Practical tests

3.Demonstrates and applies standing fighting techniques (defensive actions, throws, and counterattack combinations) according to the situation.

Individual work and tests

Practical tests

Competences

1.Is able to analyze and evaluate the quality of performed techniques (own and peers’) and provide justified feedback.

2.Is able to identify safety risks in practical sessions and apply preventive measures.

Individual work and tests

Practical tests

3.Is able to independently lead a self-defense class, integrating various techniques and teaching methods.

Individual work and tests

Practical tests

4.Is able to integrate self-defense elements into physical training and educational processes for different age and ability groups.

Individual work and tests

Practical tests

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Rating system
-
-

In order for the student to be admitted to the last practical test, all 7 independent work (each for at least 1 point) and active activity in the classes must be performed.

Assessment breakdown (% of total grade 100 points):

  • Active activity in classes – 10% (max. 10 points)
  • independent work – 30% (max. 30 points)
  • practical tests (standing fight + lying fight) – 60% (max. 60 points)

in addition can be obtained up to 10 points for work 8 (bonus task).
2.

Independent work
30.00% from total grade
10 points

A total of 7 assignments, each evaluated from 1 to 3 points. The maximum of 21 points is recalculated into 30% or 30 points.

Points for independent assignments (out of 21) → Final grade (out of 30):

  • 21 points → 30 points
  • 20 points → 29 points
  • 19 points → 27 points
  • 18 points → 26 points
  • 17 points → 24 points
  • 16 points → 23 points
  • 15 points → 21 points
  • 14 points → 20 points
  • 13 points → 18 points
  • 12 points → 17 points
  • 11 points → 15 points
  • 10 points → 14 points
  • 9 points (minimum threshold) → 13 points

Important: If even one assignment is not submitted or receives 0 points, the student is not admitted to the practical tests.

Assessment criteria for each assignment:

  • 1 point – very brief and superficial description, without deeper analysis and sports terminology. No drawings, diagrams, or tables used.
  • 2 points – good description, initial positions and sports terminology used, but no additional visual material.
  • 3 points – comprehensive and precise description, using sports terminology. Drawings, diagrams, and tables are included.
3.

Additional work
-
-

There is an option to complete the 8th independent assignment (not mandatory), for which students can earn up to 10 extra points towards the final grade.

🔹 8th independent assignment – summarize A. Pimenovs (2006), "Combat Sports".

Requirements:

  • The summary must include all chapters and subchapters.
  • Notes must be submitted in PDF format in the designated section.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Practical tests
60.00% from total grade
10 points

3.1. Standing fight practical test – maximum 100 points.

3.2. Ground fight practical test – maximum 45 points.

Together, students can earn up to 145 points, which are recalculated into 60 final points.

Minimum thresholds:

  • Standing fight – at least 40 points out of 100.
  • Ground fight – at least 25 points out of 45.

Points achieved (out of 145) → Final grade (out of 60):

  • 145 points → 60 points
  • 139–144 points → 57 points
  • 133–138 points → 55 points
  • 127–132 points → 53 points
  • 121–126 points → 51 points
  • 115–120 points → 49 points
  • 109–114 points → 47 points
  • 103–108 points → 45 points
  • 97–102 points → 43 points
  • 91–96 points → 41 points
  • 85–90 points (minimum total threshold) → 39 points
  • Below 85 points → 0 points (fail)

(For a technical combination on one side, the grade cannot be lower than 4 – the test is interrupted.)
2.

Final grade and marks
-
10 points

The total grade is calculated by adding up points from all sections:

active activity in classes (10%) + solo jobs (30%) + practical tests (60%) = Total grade (100 points).

Table of points and marks:

  • 90 – 100 points → 10 (with distinction)
  • 80 – 89 points → 9 (excellent)
  • 70 – 79 points → 8 (very good)
  • 60 – 69 points → 7 (good)
  • 50 – 59 points → 6 (almost good)
  • 40 – 49 points → 5 (satisfactory)
  • 30 – 39 points → 4 (almost satisfactory, failing)
  • 20 – 29 points → 3 (weak, failing)
  • 10 – 19 → 2 (very weak, failed)
  • 0-9 points → 1 (unsatisfactory, failed)

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Information about the course. Principles, methods, and tools of organizing the self-defense teaching process (basic elements). Safety regulations.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

General and specific warm-up in self-defense classes. General and specific physical preparation for self-defense training.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Stances, movements, grips, unbalancing the opponent, acrobatic elements, and types of falling techniques. Teaching methodology.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Practical test: Stances, movements, grips, unbalancing, acrobatic elements, and types of falling techniques.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Ground fighting: Holding techniques. Teaching methodology.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Ground fighting: Pain techniques. Teaching methodology.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Ground fighting: Choking techniques. Teaching methodology.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Practical test: Ground fighting techniques.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Foot hook against a front grip on clothing followed by a series of strikes.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Foot hook against a front grip on clothing followed by a series of strikes.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Inside hook against a roundhouse side kick followed by Achilles tendon press.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Inside hook against a roundhouse side kick followed by Achilles tendon press.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Hip throw against an overhead strike with a heavy object followed by an arm lock in the elbow joint.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Shoulder throw against an overhead strike followed by an arm lock in the elbow joint.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Block against a side head kick followed by a holding technique (choke grip).

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Integration of acquired techniques. Practical test simulation.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Practical test: Standing fighting techniques.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Submission of essays, completion of pending tasks, final grading, and course evaluation (student feedback survey).
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
36 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
PART-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Information about the course. Principles, methods, and tools of organizing the self-defense teaching process (basic elements). Safety regulations.
General and specific warm-up in self-defense classes. General and specific physical preparation for self-defense training.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Stances, movements, grips, unbalancing the opponent, acrobatic elements, and types of falling techniques. Teaching methodology.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Practical test: Stances, movements, grips, unbalancing, acrobatic elements, and types of falling techniques.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Ground fighting: Holding techniques. Teaching methodology.
Ground fighting: Pain techniques. Teaching methodology.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Ground fighting: Choking techniques. Teaching methodology.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Practical test: Ground fighting techniques.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Foot hook against a front grip on clothing followed by a series of strikes.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Inside hook against a roundhouse side kick followed by Achilles tendon press.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Hip throw against an overhead strike with a heavy object followed by an arm lock in the elbow joint.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Shoulder throw against an overhead strike followed by an arm lock in the elbow joint.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Standing fighting: Block against a side head kick followed by a holding technique (choke grip).
Standing fighting: Integration of acquired techniques. Practical test simulation.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Judo Hall
2

Topics

Practical test: Standing fighting techniques.
Submission of essays, completion of pending tasks, final grading, and course evaluation (student feedback survey).
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Kano, J. (1994). Kodokan judo. Tokyo, New York, London: Kodansha International. 264 lpp.

2.

Kolosovs, V. (1994). Pašaizsardzības paņēmieni. Rīga: Mācību grāmata.

3.

Ā. Rudzītis. Džudo. Rīga: Liesma, 1979.-171 lpp.

4.

Bennett, A., (ed.) (2009). Budo: The Martial Ways of Japan. Tokyo: Nippon Budokan Foundation.

5.

Pimenovs, A. (2006). Sporta cīņu veidi. Rīga: Latvijas Sporta pedagoģijas akadēmija.

Additional Reading

1.

Шуликa, Ю. А. & Коблева, Я. К. (2006). Дзюдо система и борьба. Ростов-на-Дону: Феникс. 798 с.

2.

Г. Пархомович. Основы классического дзюдо: учебно-методическое пособие для тренеров и спортсменов. Пермь: Урал Пресс ЛТД, 1993.-303с.

3.

Купцов, А. П. (1978). Спортивная борьба. Учебник для институтов физической культуры. Москва: Физкультура и спорт. 424 c.

4.

Туманян, Г.С. (1997). Спортивная борьба:теория, методика, организация тренировок. Учебное пособие. В 4 – х кн. Москва: Советский спорт.

5.

Чумаков, Е.М. (2005). 100 уроков самбо. Москва: ФАИР-ПРЕСС.

Other Information Sources

1.

Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts

2.

Judoinfo

3.

KODOKANJUDO

4.

IJF

5.

EJU

6.

JUDO

7.

Judo tv