Scenario Based Training

Scenario-Based-Training, or Reality-Based-Training, has been the rage for a while now in defensive tactics and self-defense training.  What the term implies is that training should be taken out of the old mindset of a "dojo environment" and applied in true situations.  The goal is to simulate the stress associated with true violent encounters, either by means of physiological stress or environmental depiction of where such an encounter may take place.

There are many individuals and organizations who took great strides in making Scenario/Reality Based Training better.  Some notable names include Semunition who make marking rounds that enhance the reality of firearms training, others, such as Red-Man and Blaur (High Gear) make protective suits that can be worn to allow individuals to engage in a more violent, and therefore real fight without risking injuries.  Programs are offered by many organizations who promote their courses as "street oriented", and by doing so shy away from traditional martial arts and more towards skills that are better suited for a true violent encounter.

We must understand, traditional martial arts have been around for hundreds if not thousands of years.  It served human kind well.  Wars were fought and won using these skills.  However, there are a few issues with traditional approach to battle: 

• Some skills were developed many ages ago and have not evolved since.  Unfortunately, the threats today, with the proliferation of firearms, concealable weapons, and gang/group mentality differ greatly from the samurai way of battle.
• martial arts is traditionally taught and practiced in a training hall, or "Dojo".  However, fights rarely take place in a controlled environment, where the temperature is just right, the floors are matted, and the training partner is careful to not hurt you while practicing a skill.
• And of course, the scenarios are limited or non-existent.  When was the last time you walked into a traditional martial arts school to find them training in how to defend against multiple attackers, while on stairs or in a parking lot, practicing ground fighting skills on actual pavement, incorporating training weapons, and most importantly: using vulgar language and demeanor as are likely to be exhibited on the streets?

Now, don't get me wrong.  Those of you who know me know that my background is traditional at heart.  I was brought up learning what I consider one of the original Mixed-Martial-Arts (at the time it was referred to as "Combined Martial Arts") with Skornik Israeli Combat.  And although progressive in its approach (combining skills from various disciplines, as well as weapon disarms), we still wore Gis (the traditional martial arts attire) and practiced katas.  I also trained in Judo and Hapkido.  Loved them all.  But the truth is that it wasn't until I enlisted that I realized that martial arts are one thing and practical combat is another.

Israeli Combat System is a progressive system.  We teach skills that are designed to work in true self-defense situations.  There is nothing pretty about it.  No fancy kicks, or flashy moves.  What we do have are skills that work.  And most importantly, skills that work under true extremely stressful situations.  And I am not just saying that, we do our  hardest to drive this point home with our members and client agencies.

We make every class a scenario based class.  It may be something as small as fatigue drills to assure that the skills can still be preformed when fine motor skills are lost.  But more often then not, we incorporate a lot more into our training.  We practice our ground fighting skills on the unforgiving surface of our paved parking lot.  We fight bare knuckles to learn what it's like to hit and get hit.  We fight on stairs, between cars, and place a heavy emphasis on the psychology of an attack.

And we are not making things up.  Our knowledge is rooted in experience.  Often times experience that was a hard lesson to learn.  Our cadre of instructors are former military, present law-enforcement officers, or fighters who earned their stripes the hard way.  If they say that stress will induce a certain reaction it is because they have seen it, done it, and learned from it.

For those who don't know we hold a weekly FIGHT class.  It is not a sparring class.  We do not meet for an hour with the idea that we'll go for 2 minute sparring matches wearing gloves and protective gear.  Sometimes we do, but that is not the norm.  Our FIGHT classes are divided into two categories: skills and scenarios.  During skill classes we pick a situation and learn how to defend it, for example: take down defenses, kick defenses, and even specific weapon defenses.  But the best part is when it all comes together during our scenario classes.  In these classes you will fight on stairs, be locked in a tiny room and have to fight your way out, be placed in handicap positions to simulate injuries, fight from seated positions, or have to protect a loved one.  That is when skills truly get tested.  After all, why learn self-defense if you can't test your skills in the scenario in which they are supposed to be deployed?

Our FIGHT class is every Tuesday evening at 6pm.  It is open to all members Orange level or higher and all sworn officers regardless of level.

Add some of our reality-based seminars, such as street smart and our Urban SERE and you will see how reality-based-training is taken to a level rarely seen in other training facilities today.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/

Masada Tactical to carry knives at its pro-shop

Starting June 2011, Masada Tactical will begin carrying knives for sale at our pro-shop.

Over the past few months we have hosted several knife fighting classes/seminars, as well as instructor courses for Law-Enforcement.  And being that knives are not a restricted item, we decided to offer our members and guests the option to buy quality knives that fit their needs and budget.

Initially Masada Tactical will carry a selection of Cold Steel and CRKT Tactical Folding knives.  We chose these brands due to their high quality blades while maintaining reasonable prices.  Please note that special orders for other brands or models are always acceptable.

Masada Tactical has been able to purchase many knives at wholesale prices, making the retail cost to our members significantly lower than found anywhere else.

In addition, we will carry training knives for our members who take our knife  and stick fighting classes (offered on the second and forth Sunday of each month).  Owning their own training gear will allow our members to care for their equipment and train on their own time as well.

As we move ahead with the initial order, I wanted to post this list of attributes people considering to purchase a knife should account for:

1. What would the application, or perceived use of knife would be?  Will it be used for survival (think Rambo)? Will it be used as a tool when hunting?  Is it mainly used as an everyday tool to open boxes and envelopes?  Or possibly, as a back-up weapon for self-defense?  Each application requires a different blade type, shape, size, etc.
2. Weather consideration: if you is living in an area with humid climate, or by a sea-shore, it is imperative that the blade is made of steel that is resistant to such corroding elements.
3. Steel quality: the saying that you get what you pay for is definitely true in this case.  Better steel used for the blade, the better the chances it will maintain it's sharp edge and shape.
4. If the knife will be used for combat one should avoid a serrated edge.  Serration tends to get stuck on bones and organs.  Serration has its value when the main use of the knife is for cutting ropes, branches, etc.
5. Blade style should also be a consideration.  Different blades serve different purposes.
6. The length of the blades is also important, for both functionality and comfort of carry.  As a general rule, a folding knife should have a blade of 3-5 inches, and a fixed blade knife should have a blade of 5-7 inches.
7. Make sure a guard exists between the handle and the blade.  Too many knives overlook that aspect which increases the chance of injury in case of slippage.
8. If you decide on carrying a folding knife pay close attention to the opening/closing mechanism.  Do you feel comfortable with it?  Is there a safety that you should know about?  Did yo practice opening the knife under stress?

These are just a few of the many variables we took into consideration when deciding on what knives to purchase and offer our members.

For a list of exact models, specifications, prices, and to pre-order please contact BK.

Stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Owner, Chief Instructor
http://www.masadatactical.com/

Urban S.E.R.E recap

Oh, what a day it was.  I must be honest, as the time for the seminar approached I got more and more excited, and at the end of the day this special event has exceeded all of my expectations.

I must begin by thanking Steve for raising the idea of holding such a class.  Traditionally S.E.R.E. (Survival, Escape, Resistance, and Evasion) classes are military or para-military in nature and skills that are kept close to the heart.  After-all, if the enemy knows that we know how to counter their methods they will be forced to correct for that, hence eliminating our seemingly un-noticed advantage.

However, we realized that in today's society knowing these skills in imperative, even for the common citizen.  With Mexican cartels hijacking American citizens, with home invasions and captivity on the rise, it was just another tool that we can offer our members.  And with our members' self-protection in mind we designed a class that no other school offers.

The class began with "torture".  Unknown to our participants, psychological warfare has began.  The environment has been made harsh, and the mind games started.  The initial portion included lecture on general safety tips, street survival, travel safety, and psychology of an assailant.

Following the lectures were practical lessons on how to escape restraints of various kinds, such as handcuffs, zip-ties, duct tape and more.

These lessons were followed by practical exercises.  Bound and blinded we took the participants, now captives in a faraway land, through series of "torture", stuffed them in trunks of vehicles, and forced them to implement the skills they learned.

The final exercises included a list of tasks to be completed out on the streets of Pikesville while our cadre of instructors hunts them down. 

I am not sure that the word "fun" in the first to come to mind.  There was some pain, and a lot of discomfort, but ultimately the group of participants did an unbelievable job, and even organized a coup against the captives.

It is only fitting that as our members were completing their first S.E.R.E. class, the number one most wanted terrorist in the world was shot and killed by U.S. Navy SEALs (DevGru, team 6).

Look forward for another one of this unique classes next year.

As always, stay safe.
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
www.MasadaTactical.com

Whats wrong with Krav Maga Worldwide...

 

Krav Maga (“Contact Combat” in Hebrew) was developed by Imi Litchenfield in the 1930’s in what is now Slovakia as a means for Jewish partisans to defend themselves against fascists many of whom supported the Nazis. Later, Krav Maga became the standard hand-to-hand combat system for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Krav Maga as a martial art system began its migration to the United States in the early 1980s.

Unfortunately, since its arrival Krav Maga has devolved for many into a money-making operation with little regard for the traditional roots of Krav Maga and its significant evolutionary improvements. In my humble opinion, the main group responsible for the devolution of American Krav Maga into an out-dated, bastardized system is Krav Maga Worldwide (KMW) based in Los Angeles.

Krav Maga Worldwide, Inc. was founded by Darren Levine. Mr. Levine is not a lifelong devotee of Krav Maga but rather a prosecutor in the Los Angeles courts for more than two (2) decades. As an example of Mr. Levine’s economic motivations, KMW once tried (and FAILED) to obtain a trademark on the phrase “Krav Maga.” This is akin to trying to be the exclusive owner and user of the words Karate, Boxing, or Kungfu.

While it has never been my desire to denigrate other Krav Maga systems – everything has its good parts and everything has its not so good parts – and while KMW has brought great exposure to Krav Maga in the United States, it is the purely economic motivations, in my opinion, that causes me great dismay. KMW licenses its name and training program to nearly anyone who can afford to buy the license. For example, in Maryland, KMW licensed the name and KMW program to David Buscher, a wealthy entrepreneur with little or no Krav Maga training. 

Formerly, I worked for Krav Maga Maryland. I was the General Manager and Chief Instructor of Krav Maga Maryland in Owings Mills. As part of my employment, I signed a “Personal Services Contract” with Krav Maga Maryland that contained a “Non-Compete Clause” (NCC). When I left KMW and founded what later became Masada Tactical, KMW sued me for violating the NCC. We eventually reached a settlement in which neither party “won”. 

KMW is an economic powerhouse that dedicates its extensive financial resources NOT to advancing the development of Krav Maga in the United States and sending its instructors to Israel to learn the extensive improvements to the Krav Maga system that have occurred since KMW was founded, BUT rather took a system originally developed to allow Jews and others to protect themselves from slaughter by pro-Nazi sympathizers and used it to attack an individual who believes that Krav Maga and the independent Israeli Combat System (that I developed) should be used for civilians, law enforcement and the military alike to defend themselves from criminals and terrorists.

In 2007, I founded Masada Tactical, LLC whose goal is to bring the most up-to-date, practical, and professional training to civilians and our contracting law-enforcement and military agencies. The Israeli Combat System taught at Masada Tactical was developed by incorporating only the best techniques and tactics from military, law-enforcement, and security tactics and operations worldwide.  The Civilian, as opposed to the Tactical Division of Masada Tactical, is designed to bring the most current and comprehensive system of self-defense (and defense of others) to the public. I developed the Israeli Combat System, not based upon the outdated and limited techniques of KMW, but by drawing upon decades of techniques proven to be most effective in defending against criminal attackers.  My system is largely influenced by ongoing training I am given and provide in Israel to this day.

Last year, I co-authored a book, Survival Training for Law-Enforcement: The Israeli Combat System for the Urban Warrior, not for financial gain but in order to provide an effective manual for our dedicated law-enforcement officers to protect themselves and others in life-or-death situations.

Krav Maga Worldwide, with its immense financial resources, has taken exception to my book. Just last week, my publisher received from Darren Levine correspondence that, if properly drafted by a man claiming more than twenty-five (25) years experience in practicing law, could be deemed a “Cease and Desist” letter. Amongst the bluster of Mr. Levine’s letter, he threatens legal action if we go forward with publication of the book. In the letter he implies that I am making use of copyrighted material owned by KMW.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Frankly, there is nothing copyrighted by KMW or written by Mr. Levine himself that I would feel comfortable using. The system of Krav Maga taught by KMW was developed in the 1980’s in order to promote aggression in young, new, IDF recruits. It was never intended to be a comprehensive system for use by civilians, law-enforcement, and the military alike to defend against threats of all types.  

Furthermore, the book was co-authored by a law-enforcement professional and writer who has no former experience in Krav Maga.  I was the technical consultant, but the text, and what is believed to be a copyright infringement, was written by a person who had no prior knowledge of KMW texts and materials.

Mr. Levine’s threats beg two (2) questions. First, what exactly is KMW afraid of? Are they afraid that my Israeli Combat System will expose the glaring failures of KMW’s system? Second, why, if not for economic reasons entirely, would Mr. Levine not want law-enforcement officers to learn a system that could protect both them and the public from harm?

Another question comes to mind. If Mr. Levine and KMW are only interested in promoting and teaching the premier Krav Maga system in the United States, why don’t they send their instructors to Israel to become acquainted with the most recent developments in the dynamic evolution of the world’s most effective fighting system?

Masada Tactical is dedicated to providing the highest level training available to military operatives, law-enforcement personnel, and civilians alike. We are an open system – open to suggestions and improvements from all martial art systems. We are a small but ever-growing organization. We do not try to stifle others that seek only to profit from what is near and dear to our hearts.

As for Mr. Levine, he should keep in mind that our legal representatives will defend Masada Tactical from all comers with the same ferocity of its namesake – those that valiantly died defending themselves against the invading Romans at Masada – and that often “the best defense is a good offense.” Masada Tactical will not be bullied or intimidated by anyone and Masada Tactical is here to stay.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

via David Palinsky, Esq.

www.MasadaTactical.com

Civilian Instructors Training

This is going to be a short one.  For the first time, Masada Tactical will be offering an Instructors Certification course in Israeli Combat System for civilians.

The five day class will certify individuals who pass the rigorous training and testing to teach beginner level ICS.

The class will be offered next Fall.  For more information or to register please contact me directly.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
http://www.masadatactical.com/

The biggest threat.

At Masada Tactical we spend all our time developing skills and lesson plans to make sure our members and other contracting agencies are safe.  Whatever your occupation, physical abilities and/or your goals, we make sure that the skills we teach you, in some shape or form, make you safer, healthier, and better prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.

Our curriculum includes skills that have been proven to work, and are further enhanced by skills we develop in-house to meet the specific needs and questions of various individuals.  For example, about a year ago a correctional officer from Western MD asked us how to address a specific hostage situation that cost the life of another officer.  It is a high risk situation, but one our staff of instructors was able to come up with a solution for.  This technique is now taught to SWAT and SOG groups around the country.

Often times, the skills we develop are the natural evolution of previous skills.  The instructor meet, evaluate the curriculum, identify weak parts, and work to make it better, more effective, and yet retain the basic ideologies of our system in terms of ease of use and retention of skills.  But, at the end of the day, the skills we develop are based off of what we think is needed, and not always what our members need.  So, I would like to take this opportunity to ask you: What do you want to see? learn? master?  Are there any threats you foresee as being the most critical for you and therefore would like to know how to address?

Let us know so we can address that, because ultimately, if your needs are not addressed, it really doesn't matter what skills we develop, if you as the potential end user do not see the value in them.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
http://www.masadatactical.com/

Gun laws...who needs them?

Touchy subject, isn't it?  But in today's day and age, it is one that is on many people's mind.  Most importantly, it is on the mind of our members who continuously ask me about my stand.

I own guns.  I also have a carry permit.  I carry whenever and wherever I am legally allowed.  I would hate to see that right taken away from me.

I understand why people are afraid of it.  I do not agree, but I understand.  People fear what they do not know, or what they are not educated about.  It's natural.  If people are fed their information from movies, or only read the sad headlines in the media, there is no surprise why they fear people carrying firearms.

But firearms in general, and handguns in particular are tools.  Just like the pocket knives most people carry around.  It is meant to do a very specific job, and thank god for that.  Take for example the police officer who carried his handgun off duty with him always, until one day he decided nothing happened before and it won't happen today.  This officer went to church that morning and witness as a shooter entered the building and began firing at people.  Among the six casualties was the officer's son.  This officer, who could legally carry a handgun and could have stopped the threat, lost a son that day.

Now, I am sure some of you will read this and point out to the fact that the suspect had a handgun.  Furthermore, you would assume that if the laws were stricter this incident could have been avoided all together.  WRONG.  Any law, by definition, will be followed by law-abiding citizens.  Do you honestly think that the criminal element will be at all restricted by any type of gun-related regulation?

If these laws are put into effect then the shooting at the Trolly Square Mall in Salt-Lake City, Utah would have ended with many more dead then it did.  Thanks to another off-duty officer who was having a Valentine's Day dinner that February 13, 2007 day, the suspects were shot and killed.  If it wasn't for him the carnage would have been much worse since the suspects were heavily armed.

Would you like to be that person witnessing your son/daughter/wife/husband/loved one get killed because you were too dumb to realize that if you had a gun you could have saved them?  Could you live with yourself after that?  It is amazing to me how all these pro-gun-restriction people never had a family member or loved one be a victim of a violent crime.  As soon as something bad happen they change their minds.  Do you really want to wait that long?

And let me point one more piece of information: do a search and see what country has the highest percentage of crime (terrorism aside, just civic crime, like robberies, murder, rape, etc.)?  Now compare that to the gun laws in that country.  Let me tell you what you will find, statistically speaking, the stricter the gun laws the higher the crime.  After all, why would I worry about robbing you when I know you are unarmed?!?  And true, correlation does not prove causation, and we must not interpret that the gun laws are the true cause for the crime, but we can not ignore this fact.

And lastly, the second amendment.  It defines a militia.  It has been around since the wild wild west days (and before).  And it has one very specific purpose: to protect citizens from its own government.  I will not dwell into the whole small government versus big government issue, but the bottom line is that when other rights will start being taken away, and they will, just look at what is going  on around the globe these days, do you want to be a slave or fight for your freedom?  And if fighting is your choice, how will you do it if the government restricted your right to own or carry a gun?

So, I am all about my right to own and carry my handgun.  That said, and this is important, personally I have no problem with making a safety course and mandating minimal qualification standards.  If safety is what people worry about, let's address that by educating and training.  Treat the problem, not the symptoms.

Stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Chief Instructor
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/