[quote]Robert A wrote:
Disclosure: I am not now, nor have I ever been a sworn officer. So, if that needs to diminish any of the following please do so. I am also recommending these instructors based on video and written material, not personal experience (although I am going to get to a class or two this year if work permits), so diminish accordingly.
For use of force / weapons at close range, the two instructors whose material has impressed me are Gabe Suarez and someone who goes by the moniker of Southnarc. Gabe Suarez is sort of a polarizing figure in firearms training for two reasons. The first is his past, was LAPD but left after/during fraud allegations about on the job and caught some kind charge and did a small sentence. He is also very vocal about his Christian faith, 700 club kind of vocal. This may be too much for some, however I have never heard in person or seen in print any serious criticism of his teaching ability or the techniques he uses. He puts an emphasis on close quarters gun work and force on force training. He has collaborated with Marc Denny, of Dog Brothers, to produce videos on these topics. His training organization is Suarez International.
Southnarc is / was a Memphis undercover narcotics officer. He has a strong background in Pekiti Tersia Kali and is most well-known for reverse grip edge back knife work. He also teaches classes on close quarter combatives and gun deployment. Because of his against the grain techniques he has been involved with the development of several specialized knives. His training organization is called, I shit you not, Shivworks.
The reasons I bring these two up are they deal with the close range weapons environment from a combative rather than marksmanship standpoint. There are a ton of good firearms instructors out there to teach marksmanship and tactics, but there is an emphasis on range. In fact many of the standards of marksmanship are diametrically opposed to close range combat. Stable and steady base vs. keep moving. Focus on the front sight versus watch the other guy. Fine vs. gross motor skills.
Take the often referenced Tueller (21 ft. rule drill). Outside of the 7 yard window most people need to approach things from marksmanship (sights, trigger discipline, stable firing platform) in order to hit moving targets (not saying you stand upright on a two way rang, just pointing out that you are SHOOTING and maneuvering). However the draw and fire marksmanship exercise quickly turns into a get this SOB off me fight were you are FIGTING first and trying to use specific weapons second.
Both instructors also emphasize pressure testing and working in fucked up (I apologize, the fluid and dynamic nature of combat) situations. When you consider that officers get killed in car crashes first and by ambush second it makes sense to do a lot of training from the try to make bad things stop right now defensive standpoint as opposed to the offensive, SWAT, tactical, warrant service, cool guy standpoint.
As for restraint and control techniques, I have no interest in handcuffing anyone, but every LEO I have ever worked out with or taught has hated the techniques they were required to use. Upon examination they simply were not taught how to apply the joint locks, pins, and controls in anything approaching a technical and useful manner. My advice is to look into Japanese Jujutsu or Aikijutsu for the specifics of how to apply the techniques. Wally Jay is amazing. I really like the curriculum Loren Christianson shows in his Defensive tactics book, but I donâ??t think the instruction is as complete as I would like. Of course the techniques are ones that I have been practicing for 15 odd years so I am probably a bit myopic in my view. If you want to discuss the specific joint locks or general principals of making this shit work I am game.
Links:
Suarez International
http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/
Shivworks
Videos
Die Less Often w Suarez and Denny
Die Less Often 2
Loren Christensen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LasqTYluUo[/quote]
cool-thanks for the info!