DT / Combative Instructor Course
Location: Greater Ottawa Area
Exact location will be provided to registered participants.
Dates: 6-10 July 2026
0830 to 1630 daily training hours.
Open to MIL / LEA / Security professionals
Prerequisites:
- Min 3 years in the profession
- Proficient in Pistol and Carbine firearms handling
- Basic understanding of Use of Force / Combatives.
- Physically healthy. Mentally stable.
Participants will require:
- Shorts, T-shirts
- Mouth piece
- Jock
- May Thai shin pads. 16oz Boxing gloves. MMA gloves
- Full operational tactical kit & equipment
- Wrestling boots for on the mat
Tactical clothing
- Plate carrier
- Gun belt
- Sim Pistol and Carbine rifle
- Rifle sling
- Min of 3 magazines per firearm platform
- Sim bolt/barrel for both platforms
- Helmet
- Tactical / Duty pants and T-shirts on the mat
- Wrestling boots
- Eye and ear protection
- Light pair of shooting gloves
*DA will provide:
- Simuniton ammunition
- Targets and role players
- Training locations and training aids
- Assisting instructor and coaching
What to expect:
Building a Positive Culture Around Combatives / Defensive Tactics training. Individual skills and techniques will be enhanced. Teaching methods and instructional techniques will be offered.
The History and Philosophy of the Direct Action system will be shared.
Introduction & Purpose
Objective:
Establish relevance and intent.
Key Points:
- Combatives training is not about sport fighting — it is about performance under pressure, survival, decision-making, and operational effectiveness.
- Defensive tactics must be:
- Simple
- Pressure tested
- Legally and operationally defensible
- Our goal is to create confidence, capability, and trust.
Culture matters more than techniques.
If operators do not believe in the training, they will not use it under stress.
Direct Action grew from:
- Military lessons learned and providing services for Law Enforcement agencies.
- Operational realities of what works well.
- Combat sports pressure testing.
1. Simplicity
Under stress gross-motor quality training repetitions will surface.
2. Adaptability
Violence is chaotic. A warrior mindset finds methods to pivot and solve problems.
3. Pressure testing
Techniques must work against:
- resistance
- fatigue
- surprise
- environmental factors
4. Integration
- kit & equipment
- communication
- team tactics
- decision making
Key message:
We are not teaching martial arts.
We are building decision-making fighters who can operate inside operational environments.
3. Principles of 3 (Core Framework)
The Direct Action system organizes decision-making around three operational pillars.
1. Distance
Identifying the threat is required before assessment.
We must hunt for information first.
Teach:
Hands – Eyes – Environment – Hands
Explain:
Hands tell intent faster than words.
Indicators:
- blading stance
- target glancing
- hand concealment
- weight shift
- environmental positioning
Distance determines:
- time to react
- tool access
- escalation options
Ranges:
- Awareness
- Contact
- Clinch
- Ground
2. Position
Position determines advantage.
Focus on:
- Angles
- Balance
- Access to tools
Examples:
Dominant position allows:
- weapon access
- disengagement
- control
Environmental positioning:
Hard cover vs concealment.
Cover
Stops rounds.
Concealment
Only hides you.
Positions to support the desired outcome.
3. Movement
Movement allows:
- information updates
- adaptation
- mutual support
Standing still creates vulnerability.
Movement goals:
- Be first
- Create imbalance
- Change the angle of attack
Movement keeps the officer from becoming a fixed target.
The 3x3 Concept
We ought to have three reliable responses in each phase of a physical altercation, with and without the presence of weapons.
Phases:
1. Striking
2. Clinch
3. Ground
Each will develop:
- 3 go-to movements
- executable in 3 seconds or less
Under stress:
- reaction time shrinks
- decision capacity decreases
Rough course curriculum:
Day 1
Striking and Edge weapons defence.
Footwork, frames and unorthodox striking options. Defence and offence.
Creating angle and intercept forward movement.
Traditional strike series.
Edge weapons introduction.
Situational sparring drills.
Day 2
Clinch and blunt object defence.
Underhook vs. Overhook pros and cons.
Head position advantage control.
Disengage and access tools (force multiplier).
Situational sparring drills.
Day 3
Ground and subject control options.
Ground to feet escapes.
Wall work - Subject control options on and off a wall.
Cuffing / Searching / Escorting duties.
Situational sparring drills.
Day 4
Hooded Box Drills – Mini flash scenarios to challenge decision-making and lethal or less lethal options.
CQB integrated scenarios with live role players offering non-compliant & active resistance behaviours. Mix shoot / no-shoot reactive paper targets. Subject control in a dynamic environment.
Day 5
Coaching feedback. Teach-back opportunities for students to hone their technique demonstrations, communication skills and feedback offerings.
End of course summary and critiques
Connecting Training to Operational Outcomes
Quality training improves:
- confidence
- communication
- decision making
- weapon retention
- partner coordination
This reduces:
- excessive force
- injuries
- hesitation
And improves:
- lawful outcomes
- officer survival
- public trust
Key message:
The goal is not winning fights.
The goal is to offer sustainable skills to execute on the day which will enable us to go home to our loved ones and keeping teammates safe.
Principles:
- Train hard
- Protect training partners
- Be humble
- Focus on learning
Students can expect:
- Resistance
- Fatigue
- Problem solving encounters
- Scenario pressure options and concepts
Key takeaways:
Combatives training will be:
- Simple
- Realistic
- Pressure tested
- Integrated with kit & equipment
Skills fade.
Culture remains.
The culture we build in training determines how people perform when stress and duress is real.
Maximum of 12 participants
Size guide
DT / Combative Instructor Course
