The Instinctive Edge™

Don Roley’s blog is always a good read.  Thought provoking and stimulating comes to mind.  In a recent post today he talks about Stephen Hayes and the misinformation out there regarding this individual.  As always it is an excellent and informative read:

Stephen Hayes’ Fall From Grace

One of the important things in this blog post is the importance of continuing your training with a qualified instructor. This is important for all of us.  Always maintain the approach of a practitioner willing to improve and seek out new training opportunities and never be afraid to be corrected and improve.  The path we are on in the Martial Sciences is never-ending journey of skill development and personal improvement.  Learn from everyone, train and get better!

Please check out Don’s work at his site here: Colorado Springs Books For Sale  His translations are simply the best!

See You On The Mats!!!
Brian R. VanCise
Note: This blog is opinion only and neither Instinctive Response Training LLC or Brian R. VanCise are responsible for any third party actions

I just completed a Law Enforcement Baton training session.  Eight hours of lecture, use of force and of course movement, striking, retention, etc.  Good to get some time training with my brothers and sisters.  The baton is a tool that gives an officer options and the ability to defend themselves when necessary.  To gain proficiency you are going to have to practice and practice!  When you practice you will need to practice with an eye towards perfection because practice itself is not enough if it is poor practice.  No, you need to make sure that you are practicing correctly and frequently in order to retain the material.  I had a good time in our training session and am already looking forward to the next one.

See You On The Mats!!!
Brian R. VanCise
Note: This blog is opinion only and neither Instinctive Response Training LLC or Brian R. VanCise are responsible for any third party actions

Someone recently thanked me for imparting some skills to them that helped them to survive in a violent encounter.  That is what IRT is all about!  I and other IRT instructors try to give skills to individuals so that they in turn may have an opportunity to survive in a violent encounter.  Yet, even when we pass on these real world skill sets it is in the end, the individual who brings them into action.  It is their will power, their instincts and their desire to survive that determines the outcome.  The real world skills we give freely help but they are the ones who deserve the credit for implementing them correctly and in the right time.  It does not matter whether they utilized a breakfall, roll, empty hand skills and tactics or firearm skill sets.  In the end it falls on their ability to implement the skill at the right time and place.  We are guides but in IRT the individual always comes first and not the system or the skills themselves.  Always keep this in mind!  Now, mind you, I am super happy when someone that I have worked with survives a violent encounter and credits IRT.  Make no mistake about that.  Whether it has been in Afghanistan, Iraq, England, Japan, Canada or the United States when I hear someone thank me personally for their survival it makes my heart very happy.  I just want them to understand where the credit really lies.  It lies with them!  They in that moment made the right choice at the right time and they deserve the credit!

See You On The Mats!!!
Brian R. VanCise
Note: This blog is opinion only and neither Instinctive Response Training LLC or Brian R. VanCise are responsible for any third party actions

Here is wishing you all a Happy and wonderful New Year!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

See our Christmas Card at Jib Jab!

https://www.jibjab.com/view/make/twinkle_all_the_way/7651dc29-f971-4006-9fd1-7cc8476a022a?fbclid=IwAR0f7aqt8Dj06GiW7fPx9he-_4D40pPl-dD2HWYOLW9Y1DZMkVlUT9B-CkY

Diversification is important if your martial training is designed for real world personal protection.  If we understand conflict and that it can happen at any time, place or moment.  We will understand that we may not be able to control the environment or the skill of the attackers and that we must be a diversified martial practitioner.  If we have diversified skills over a broad area that includes training in weapons, kicking, hand strikes, trapping, grappling and more we will give ourselves a chance in a moment of violence.  Imagine if all your training was geared towards one area such as grappling and you were attacked by two or more people.  You certainly couldn’t just grapple with them.  You would be overwhelmed.  However, if you had weapons training and movement then you might have a chance to defend yourself from their vicious attack and be able to get out of there.  Likewise if you were taken to the ground and had no clue on how to grapple and defend against common attacks then you might find yourself quickly overcome and quite likely at the mercy of your attacker.  If we are to be successful we must have a broad set of skills that are diversified and include not just physical skills but awareness, avoidance and mental training that will allow us to survive a moment of extreme violence.  Do not allow your training to make you into a one trick pony.  No instead make sure that your training allows you to have skills across a broad spectrum of the Martial Sciences.  Be diversified so that you give yourself a chance and have unlimited options in a moment of violence!  

See You On The Mats!!!

Brian R. VanCise

Note: This blog is opinion only and neither Instinctive Response Training LLC or Brian R. VanCise are responsible for any third party actions