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