Attendees at the first Strong Women self defense class held in Norwich by Oneonta Jiu Jitsu Academy instructors. The next class will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 18 in the Norwich High School cafeteria. (Photo from The Place Facebook page)

NORWICH - Instructors from the Oneonta Jiu Jitsu Academy will be returning to Norwich for the next Strong Women self defense class at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 18 in the Norwich High School cafeteria, located at 89 Midland Drive in Norwich.

This free class is open to Chenango County women and girls aged 14 and older, and will teach them practical jiu jitsu techniques they can use to defend themselves.

Prior registration for the class is required. To register, contact The Place at 607-336-9696.

Oneonta Jiu Jitsu Academy Owner Wyatt Green said the class is not about inflicting injuries on an attacker, but rather defensive techniques to escape.

"Realistically, the participants are taking one or maybe a couple more classes. It would be a different scenario if they were training with us regularly, which would be the best way to be prepared for that sort of thing. But in this case it would be mostly about staying safe and avoiding harm, escaping," he explained.