CDG Active Defense Workshop

The Active Defense Workshop is an introduction into our philosophy of the importance of being a well-rounded defense minded citizen.  The goal of this course is to be able to identify indicators of danger and act accordingly to avoid, deter, or subdue that danger.  We use the word active to indicate a shift in mindset to adopt a pro-active stance on personal defense.  We’ve also detached the term self from defense because we feel that good, responsible people should do as much to protect others as for themselves.

In this three-hour workshop we will define Situational Awareness, discuss what indicators to look for to identify threats, and how to react once a threat is confirmed.  We will also discuss what to do in an Active Shooter event.  The workshop concludes with learning a few defensive concepts and practice applying those techniques. The emphasis is on techniques that are simple, adaptable, and effective.  This work shop provides the baseline for our Active Defense Program.  No prior experience is required.

Workshop Pricing:

$50 per workshop.

Workshop length is three hours.

Please click here for workshop schedule.

CDG Active Defense Program

The Active Defense Program is a 20-hour course designed to lay a foundation for a solid, well-rounded, defensive skillset.  The goal of the Active Defense Program is to integrate a wide array of concepts and techniques to effectively fight in all ranges of combat including empty hand, bladed and blunt force weapons, and firearms—not just in one area at a time, but all at once.  We want to address the fluid and unpredictable nature of real life danger.  And in response to that, develop a fighter that is more than capable of surviving any threatening situation they may find themselves in.

This program is meant to encourage lifelong training and an attitude that seeks to constantly improve oneself in every way.  Any art can be effective given the right circumstances, but since you aren’t always in control of your circumstances, it is best to be prepared for as many scenarios and threats as possible.  We mean to widen and expand your viewpoint on the preservation of life, not get trapped into a tunnel visioned approach to defense.

The program starts with basic empty hand fight principles and builds on those with each class to eventually include weapons, including a firearm.  It is broken down into five 4-hour classes. We encourage a high intensity level to acclimate you to the stimulants of a real situation—your body must recognize a real threat and not be shocked into freezing like a deer in headlights, because inaction is the worst action.  Each class explains the concepts and techniques we’ll be covering to establish the reasoning behind the philosophy and how it relates to real life, then drills are performed to hone the particular skills discussed, and ends with scenarios that test the skills learned.  Each class scenario will test all skills learned up to that point with the instructors or fellow students role playing as the bad guys.  Each class will focus on a particular range of combat.  We will also address the aftermath of a dangerous scenario including how to provide first aid for traumatic injuries such as gunshot wounds or knife wounds.  We’ve partnered with several experts that will guest instruct throughout the program to ensure a wide range of input and viewpoints.  The program culminates in several real-life scenarios where the students must use skills learned from the entire curriculum to ensure their survivability or save others.

*Although recommended, classes are not required to be taken in order.

Class I: Intro to hand to hand combat

Introduction to basic hand to hand combat self-defense techniques. We will go over stance and movement, basic strikes and blocks, concepts in each range, the five ranges of combat and we’ll be practicing combat drills. We are also going to talk about the mentality of close H2H combat, including prevention and situational awareness.

Class II: Ground fighting

We will go over combat skills on the ground. We will be discussing things like take downs, positioning, submissions and escapes. Then we will be doing some ground drills and light sparring.

Class III: Stand up fighting

This is focused on hand to hand combat while on your feet. There will be more of a focus on striking. The concept of interception and destruction along with the effectiveness of the clinch. We will be running drills that include facing multiple attackers.

Class IV: Bladed and Impact Weapons

We will go over stick and knife fighting techniques. We will be teaching disarms, drills and we’ll be conducting light sparring. We’ll also be talking about the mentality of using alternative weapons.

Class V: Armed H2H combat

We will be incorporating both ground and standing techniques while focused on drawing or protecting a holstered gun. Additionally, we will cover basic trauma care to address injuries that may have been sustained during a fight to increase survival chances.  We will also review the concepts of escalation of force, deciding the appropriate weapon to use.