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Folks get a kick out of him

Judo and other forms of martial arts have meant a lot in Ed Maley's life, so now he shows others how to use them for self-defense and well-being.

BRANDON - Ed Maley has a soft spot in his heart for children, women and senior citizens. At 72, he has been competing and teaching martial arts for longer than 50 years. He has black belts in several martial arts and three years ago was inducted into the International Hall of Fame for Martial Arts.

Judo is Maley's focus now, and over the years he has developed common sense methods of self-defense, designed to replace fear with confidence.

Bob Gilbertson, president and CEO of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, says he has known Maley for almost 20 years; the best compliments about his work with children come from some of the parents, who studied judo with Maley when they were youngsters.

"When they bring their children to experience some of their own childhood memories of being taught judo by Ed, they are re-creating some of the fondest memories they want their children to share.

"Ed develops self-confidence in children, which helps settle them. Some who normally fly off the handle easily find ways to deal with anger. Ed is a proponent of finding ways to resolve conflict without violence. He has a gift," Gilbertson said.

"We use the SAFE method," Maley said. "Secure the home, car, work area and other places of personal activity. Avoid hidden areas and places of potential danger. Figure out potential problems and be prepared, before they happen. Escape. Just maintaining some reasonable exercise program and learning to fall without breaking a bone is beneficial, even when not facing an attacker."

Maley says an unexpected loud yell or a horse bite will surprise an attacker and create an opportunity for escape. A horse bite is a good, solid chomp on the soft under part of an arm. He says a pinch on the soft part of the upper leg inflicts pain and surprises an attacker.

One of his students, a 64-year-old woman, repelled a potential purse-snatcher in a crowded department store. Another student, a priest, thwarted an assailant who had stolen money from him and a friend in a parking lot.

"The purse-snatcher came up behind the lady and, while he was trying to take her purse, she simply kicked up with her spiked heel into his groin. That disabled the would-be thief just long enough for help to grab him. The priest gave up his money to the armed assailant, but when the thief tried to force him into a car, he exploded (yelled to attract attention) with an attack. The armed thief dropped his weapon and money and fled," Maley said.

Within a year after enlisting in the Air Force in 1950, the Brooklyn-born Maley started his first lessons in judo. By 1953 he had earned his black belt and was teaching in the military.

His last duty station was MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. While there, he established a school off base for martial arts.

Maley has won numerous national and international competitions and has trained students who have earned spots on U.S. national teams for world and Olympic competition.

In 1963, after 12 years of active duty, he left the Air Force and settled in Hillsborough County with his wife, Toby.

Included in his achievements are an eighth-degree black belt in judo and various degrees of black belts in karate and taiojitsu. He also has licenses for massage and fitness-stretch therapy.

"I continue teaching martial arts for many reasons, but mostly because of the opportunity of helping people to lead decent lives without fear in a world filled with insanity," Maley said.

"In addition to the benefit of healthy exercise, it gives them self-confidence in all areas of life. It helps them eliminate fear and think with a clearer head. You don't even have to be physically strong and powerful."

For information about when Maley will conduct classes, call the Campo Family YMCA at (813) 684-1371 and the Brandon Family YMCA at (813) 685-5402. Lessons are free with YMCA memberships. Nonmembers: $4 for children, $60 for adults, for 10 weeks of instructions.