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/
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