IAC Seminar

OKC, OK IAC Seminar 2/23-25 , 2024

I am pumped to head back to the amazing facility at Meadhall in OK for my second semianr of 2024. for the first time, and it is a great way to kick off my 2024 seminar schedule. Meadhall has a great (and large) indoor training area with plenty of mats, so we are free from any incliment weather no matter what, so this is a perfect place and time to to take the plunge into the H2H in a Weapon Based Environment world, or if you have trained before. Come join us!

Contrary to popular belief, many empty-handed fights and those involving weapons end up entangled, either standing or on the ground. No amount of pontificating or self-proclaimed “expert” posturing will change this simple fact. If you ignore this reality, you may very well find yourself in a situation you cannot handle with disastrous consequences.

This course is designed to give the layman a realistic and functional set of concepts, techniques, methodologies, training drills and experiences that will prepare them for a worst-case grappling scenario. All techniques and concepts are high percentile applications which span a wide spectrum of confrontations.

Training consists of presentation, drilling and Force-On-Force evolutions providing attendees with immediate feedback regarding the efficacy of the skills learned, all delivered in a professional, ego free manner.

The goal of this course is not to create a “ground fighter” or grappler. The objective is to provide attendees who have limited training time and resources with solid ground survival and escape fundamentals geared toward the increasingly violent weapon-based environments they may live, work and/or travel within. And all techniques/concepts are from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, and Boxing and are combat proven over the past 80 years by thousands and thousands of practitioners, including the U.S. Army.

These methods are for everyone regardless of physical condition – young, old, male, female, athlete or not – You DO NOT have to be a professional fighter to perform at a functional level. This will be a class about physical training, but it is NOT boot camp. Participants may go at the pace that is comfortable for them, while trying to push the envelope of their own individual performance.

Requirements: loose, comfortable but durable clothes, mouthpiece, cup, notebook, and an open mind. Boxing or MMA gloves are strongly encouraged but are not mandatory. Blue Guns and matched holsters, and training knives are a good idea, but there will be loaners available.

Surviving/defending/escaping the bottom

Getting back to your feet / staying upright

Defending against strikes on the ground or clinch

Denying the attacker weapon access – understanding technique, positional hierarchy, and timing

Proper role of “dirty tactics”

Multiple opponents

Essential training principles, methods, and drills

Underlying concepts and mindset for the clinch in a self-defense context

Dealing with the sucker punch/ambush

Fundamentals of the clinch

Controlling the entanglement

Disengaging and making distance for escape, weapons access or orientation reset

Performance coaching and troubleshooting

Structuring and balancing your training for a real world lifestyle

Use the code “DEPOSIT” to sign up for 50% (you can the balance the week of the class).

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/immediate-action-combatives-okc-ok-223-25-2024-tickets-754945200417?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwAR24gWBArlGOBeF8yD9NVB091dwohgywDZIC5419JA52gSODrhalukLHpFk

Over the past couple of years, there has been a minor interest from more forward thinking trainers and voices in the gun training community, in the concept of the surreptitious/clandestine/hidden draw. 

I am all for that. As a matter of fact, I am a full blown believer in the concept. A number of us fifteen + years ago spent some time talking about this very idea in the old Total Protection Interactive discussion forum. It is extremely useful for almost anyone to have in their arsenal of techniques. Let us practice it, and build a credible and functional way of employing this principle. 

However, there is one issue that arises that I don’t believe a single person has addressed. 

What is our metric? 

In other words, how do we know that we have a good surreptitious draw? 

For example, we know to check our normal concealed carry draw, we need to be on a timer. It is ridiculous to say “I feel like I have a 1.5 second draw. I have not timed it, but it feels that fast to me.” Anyone would understand the above statement makes zero sense, and has no bearing on reality. 

As well, to make sure we can make precise shots on a given target, we have to check that by scoring the target and seeing exactly where my rounds hit. No one would accept “Well, I know I can make that hostage rescue shot at 25 yards. I have never tried it, but I know how to shoot and hit.” Again, that is a horrible approach. 

If I need to check my H2H skills, I have to spar against resisting opponents with oppositional will and freedom of action to make sure my techniques will work when I need them to. Just doing forms in the air, or doing a move on a completely compliant partner cannot tell me anything about the functionality of any move. 

So if we understand that we need to have a metric to measure ourselves against, how do we do it with the clandestine draw? How do we know in our heart of hearts that we stand a reasonable chance of pulling it off on demand against a violent assault? 

I don’t have the answer. I wish I did. But at least I am raising the question and throwing it out there in order that some of the very clever folks in the community start thinking about it and maybe one day soon we will have a good solution to this issue. 

 Keep working on this skill, but also think about how we can ensure it is at a good level of practicality. 

IAC Seminar

OKC, OK IAC Seminar 2/23-25 , 2024

I am pumped to head back to the amazing facility at Meadhall in OK for my second semianr of 2024. for the first time, and it is a great way to kick off my 2024 seminar schedule. Meadhall has a great (and large) indoor training area with plenty of mats, so we are free from any incliment weather no matter what, so this is a perfect place and time to to take the plunge into the H2H in a Weapon Based Environment world, or if you have trained before. Come join us!

Contrary to popular belief, many empty-handed fights and those involving weapons end up entangled, either standing or on the ground. No amount of pontificating or self-proclaimed “expert” posturing will change this simple fact. If you ignore this reality, you may very well find yourself in a situation you cannot handle with disastrous consequences.

This course is designed to give the layman a realistic and functional set of concepts, techniques, methodologies, training drills and experiences that will prepare them for a worst-case grappling scenario. All techniques and concepts are high percentile applications which span a wide spectrum of confrontations.

Training consists of presentation, drilling and Force-On-Force evolutions providing attendees with immediate feedback regarding the efficacy of the skills learned, all delivered in a professional, ego free manner.

The goal of this course is not to create a “ground fighter” or grappler. The objective is to provide attendees who have limited training time and resources with solid ground survival and escape fundamentals geared toward the increasingly violent weapon-based environments they may live, work and/or travel within. And all techniques/concepts are from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, and Boxing and are combat proven over the past 80 years by thousands and thousands of practitioners, including the U.S. Army.

These methods are for everyone regardless of physical condition – young, old, male, female, athlete or not – You DO NOT have to be a professional fighter to perform at a functional level. This will be a class about physical training, but it is NOT boot camp. Participants may go at the pace that is comfortable for them, while trying to push the envelope of their own individual performance.

Requirements: loose, comfortable but durable clothes, mouthpiece, cup, notebook, and an open mind. Boxing or MMA gloves are strongly encouraged but are not mandatory. Blue Guns and matched holsters, and training knives are a good idea, but there will be loaners available.

Surviving/defending/escaping the bottom

Getting back to your feet / staying upright

Defending against strikes on the ground or clinch

Denying the attacker weapon access – understanding technique, positional hierarchy, and timing

Proper role of “dirty tactics”

Multiple opponents

Essential training principles, methods, and drills

Underlying concepts and mindset for the clinch in a self-defense context

Dealing with the sucker punch/ambush

Fundamentals of the clinch

Controlling the entanglement

Disengaging and making distance for escape, weapons access or orientation reset

Performance coaching and troubleshooting

Structuring and balancing your training for a real world lifestyle

link here: Use the code “DEPOSIT” to sign up for 50% (you can the balance the week of the class).

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/immediate-action-combatives-okc-ok-223-25-2024-tickets-754945200417?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwAR0dlle2-8l9UR8veB566Pzs-ffAhFY9HhDFf9Tn5B8FwSypOKWntC0NzJI

There is a very famous saying in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and it’s attributed to Carlson Gracie Sr. What he said decades ago was ” take a black belt, punch him in the face and he becomes a brown belt. Punch him in the face again and he becomes a purple belt “

For those who don’t know Carlson Sr. was essentially the second champion in the Gracie family. After his Uncle Helio got a bit older into his mid to late 40s and was no longer able to fight the challenge matches that he had the previous 25 years, Carlson took over and was the family Champion through most of the 60s and into the early 70s. He also was instrumental in bringing modern training concepts into the traditional world of valle tudo ( in other words traditional Brazilian MMA). Carlson built one of the first teams both to compete in Jujitsu and to compete in MMA, so he understood a Jujitsu player getting punched in the face and what can happen.

Essentially his point was that you needed to train in the situation of getting punched otherwise if it was your first time your skill goes out the window. He was an early advocate of cross training to some level and to do all your traditional Jiu-Jitsu stuff while punching or getting punched. and he and his team were incredibly successful at doing so.

What Carlson was pointing out that you could have an awesome game plan and awesome skill to pull it off, but if you are not somewhat inoculated to incoming violence – including Getting punched or getting struck in the face over and over again – then there is a good chance your game plan and your skill goes out the window. And this is true across the board in all areas of self-preservation and self-defense, to include shooting.

Shooters need to understand this concept almost more than anybody else, mostly because it is not part of almost any shooting training course. The single most overriding reason being that in almost all shooting training there is no oppositional pressure. There is no one putting direct physical pressure on your ability to shoot. Unfortunately, in the real world the bad guy is always doing exactly that, and his oppositional pressure may very well include hitting you in the face over and over and over and over again. What you will quickly find is that your sub second draw suddenly after a punch in the face becomes a two+ second draw. Get punched again and now you’re probably not even finishing the draw and there’s a very good chance that your gun that you brought to the fight is now up for grabs to whoever can control it.

Of course, there is someone out there reading this and going “I never let anyone get that close to me. I will shoot them long before they can punch.” Stop living your self-indulgent and mastubatory John Wick fantasies. This is impossible in the real world. Please try to shout “Get back from me! I am in fear for my life!” while you are in line at the grocery store. Or the bank. Or TSA. Uniformed people will very quickly get VERY close to you and you will have lots of ‘splaining to do.

If you think you can maintain distance at all times, it is very easy to prove. Get a video out, some safetly equipment, and try it out on someone who has incentive to get close. I have spenbt 20+ years working this problem, and have seen a lot of people try to do it. I know how it will go 90% of the time.

So take some time to make sure your draw – or whatever self-defense tactics you prefer – can withstand a punch in the face.

I am pumped to get to NC for the first time, and it is a great way to kick off my 2024 seminar schedule. The host has a great group around him, so this is a perfect place and time to to take the plunge into the H2H in a Weapon Based Environment world, or if you have trained before. Come join us!

Contrary to popular belief, many empty-handed fights and those involving weapons end up entangled, either standing or on the ground. No amount of pontificating or self-proclaimed “expert” posturing will change this simple fact. If you ignore this reality, you may very well find yourself in a situation you cannot handle with disastrous consequences.

This course is designed to give the layman a realistic and functional set of concepts, techniques, methodologies, training drills and experiences that will prepare them for a worst-case grappling scenario. All techniques and concepts are high percentile applications which span a wide spectrum of confrontations.
Training consists of presentation, drilling and Force-On-Force evolutions providing attendees with immediate feedback regarding the efficacy of the skills learned, all delivered in a professional, ego free manner.

The goal of this course is not to create a “ground fighter” or grappler. The objective is to provide attendees who have limited training time and resources with solid ground survival and escape fundamentals geared toward the increasingly violent weapon-based environments they may live, work and/or travel within. And all techniques/concepts are from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, and Boxing and are combat proven over the past 80 years by thousands and thousands of practitioners, including the U.S. Army.
These methods are for everyone regardless of physical condition – young, old, male, female, athlete or not – You DO NOT have to be a professional fighter to perform at a functional level. This will be a class about physical training, but it is NOT boot camp. Participants may go at the pace that is comfortable for them, while trying to push the envelope of their own individual performance.

Requirements: loose, comfortable but durable clothes, mouthpiece, cup, notebook, and an open mind. Boxing or MMA gloves are strongly encouraged but are not mandatory. Blue Guns and matched holsters, and training knives are a good idea, but there will be loaners available.

Surviving/defending/escaping the bottom
Getting back to your feet / staying upright
Defending against strikes on the ground or clinch
Denying the attacker weapon access – understanding technique, positional hierarchy, and timing
Proper role of “dirty tactics”
Multiple opponents
Essential training principles, methods, and drills
Underlying concepts and mindset for the clinch in a self-defense context

Dealing with the sucker punch/ambush
Fundamentals of the clinch
Controlling the entanglement
Disengaging and making distance for escape, weapons access or orientation reset
Performance coaching and troubleshooting
Structuring and balancing your training for a real world lifestyle

link to sign up in the comments. Use the code “DEPOSIT” to sign up for 50% (you can the balance the week of the class).

In Extremis Self Defense

For anyone interested in Combatives training in a weapons based environment and self-preservation in general, mark your calendars for November 12th, 10:30am – 12:00 for the start of a regular class. We will cover everything from Managing Unknown Contacts to OC spray to Weapons use in an entangled fight, and all things in between. The class will take place at my local academy, Gracie Jiujitsu North Phoenix.

It will be in the begining a once a month session, and then shortly it will be bumped up to twice a month. First session will cover the fundamentals of the standing clinch, and the basics of weapon access and deployment. No prior exeprience in anything is required, just that you want to make an honest attempt to train without an ego or agenda.

Sessions will be $20 per head, and you will need to book a slot prior. This will always be a fairly small class for safety reasons, so make sure you reserve a spot now. Contact me through messages, email, or text.

If you read any of my previous articles or posts, you probably realize I’m obsessed with clarity of language. I was fortunate with having some high school teachers and college professors who showed me that if we are going to communicate with others, if we are going to try to convince them of our ideas, or we are trying to let them know they are wrong, we need to speak as clearly as possible so there is no chance of miscommunication. Because that leads to wasted time, wasted energy, and probably failure.

 That inclination has only been reinforced the past 35 years of being an instructor of hand-to-hand combat and firearm, as well as being associated with master instructors like Craig Douglas, Chris Fry, Tom Givens, as well as many others. We cannot afford shortcuts that lead to misunderstandings if we are teaching and talking about things that may save lives or prevent injury, and it is crucial we must be understood perfectly. 

 following that I sometimes take issue with certain terms or descriptors in the training community. Some people have been upset about it and take me to task (the things written and said about me when I pointed out “stress inoculation” is not really a true thing was amazing, especially since much of it came from people I considered friends) and some people say I’m being pedantic. Possibly they are right on that last point, but I prefer to err on the side of clarity. In that vein, I no longer use the term “Fitness” to describe a certain aspect of training. 

Unfortunately while Fitness is arguably a good descriptor, it has gotten tied up with certain specific imagery and concepts, and it has become easy for people who don’t want to do the work to become fit to use that terminology as a way to disparage the very idea.

For a good amount of time now, I only use the terms health or vitality to get the idea across that it is key to everything we do in self-preservation. Fitness has been co-opted and used almost solely to describe super heavy duty and hardcore strength and conditioning type work. Too often people assume you are only talking about long, extended and debilitating work that involves incredibly restrictive dieting, long hours every day lifting weights or running or on stationary bikes or using foam rollers etc.

While these things may be part of fitness, they are only part. It is like saying defensive handgun use only involves long hours running and gunning in USPSA matches, or doing complex team room clearing exercises as if you are a SWAT team. Health and vitality encapsulates  so much more. It is truly at its essence is all about having the ability to live your life to the nth degree and enjoy the things we should enjoy and do so comfortably without much effort. Unless you are a professional gunbearer who must run to the sound of guns, or you are not involved in extended criminal activity, the chance you will get into a gunfight is very small. However the chance you will die of a heart attack, a stroke, cancer, diabetes or similar issues is on a massive order of magnitude greater. 

And beyond that is the ability to pick our kid up and carry them for miles when they get tired at Disneyland. Or pick them up and carry them when you are caught in a natural disaster and need to get to safety. Or grab them and run when your house is on fire. What if you are involved in a car wreck? Can you get your way into the vehicle and pull your kids or spouse out? Do you even have the ability to move yourself unaided for distance in a timely manner? Years ago, my extended family went to Disneyland and the hotel we were at had a giant fire in the lobby (a huge Xmas tree there caught fire) and we had to evacuate at 3 in the morning. I carried my grandmother (who had to use a wheelchair) down five flights of stairs and about a half mile away until we were able to use the wheelchair. I did not have to draw my tacti-cool gun and shoot down marauding Ninjas, but I did need to save her life and it had nothing to do with “fighting” but only with health and vitality. 

In other words, are you an asset to your loved ones, or are you a liability? If all you bring to the table is a subsecond draw, then you are not the former at all. 

When someone argues that “fitness” is not important in self-defense, they expose their personal bias, and narrow frame of reference. Getting killed by a bad guy is low on the list of threats in the first place, so focusing exclusively there is equal to trying to figure out how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. Absolutely we need to work on the skillset to handle that niche, but we also need to look more broadly. Being a great gunfighter is awesome, but it does you little good if you stroke out at 52 and leave your family without a spouse or parent. 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/384285828257

There are two kind of handguns that we can use for self-defense – Going to Trouble guns, and Getting Out of Trouble guns. While we would all prefer to carry full size duty guns with multiple spare magazines (Going to Trouble guns) as our EDC set up, the fact is that most of us cannot 100% of the time. Because of various restrictions – whether legal, social, or environmental, we often have to defend ourselves with gear that may not be the best when we are shooting fancy drills on the square range (i.e. Getting Out of Trouble guns). Instead of bemoaning that truth, we need to spend the time working on being able to run our actual carry to the best of our ability. That is what this course is all about.

In this class, we will look at how to effectively shoot and manage the smaller handguns that are typical of a non-permissive environment – i.e. snub revolvers and small autos like the G43 or LCP. We will learn to maximize our performance in shooting as well as accessing and drawing these guns. We will also integrate the shooting with understanding how to recognize and deal with impending violent criminal assault, and how to use OC spray and physical responses alongside our firearms. Most importantly, we will put these practices into actual use the exact same way we will have to use them in the real world; NOT the artificial constraints of a flat range.

Students should be ready to work hard, but everyone can go at the most appropriate pace they need. This is not a class for “operators”. This is a course for everyday folks who want to defend themselves and their loved ones from realistic threats, and your physical condition or experience level does not matter.

Students will need their carry gun, as many spare ammo carrier/loader set ups as they can manage, a quality holster (no SERPAs or FOBUS rigs allowed), 300 rounds of ammo, one blue gun and holster for the blue gun, notebook and pen, and an open mind. Also, this will be an opportunity to try different carry positions such as pocket or ankle. There will also be time and opportunity to try out other small guns that the student may not have the chance to run before.

Friday – Intro to pre-assault cues, pre-fight threat containment and MUC, OC use, and live fire safety briefing

Sat – 1st block: live fire, familiarity with drawstroke from various carry positions, tricks with small guns

2nd block: MUC and reactive or proactive physical response

3rd block: OC usage drilling and integration with verbals and movement, congruency with physical responses

4th block: live fire

Sunday – 1st block: live fire

2nd block: defending against the entanglement

3rd block: moving in crowds with a gun in hand (blue gun)

4th block: final drill/test