S.P.E.A.R. System

[Rob Pincus]

"Training and the Mindset for Staying Safe" ??

Okay, I thought I'd devote the first thread to Tony Blauer's SPEAR System. I recently went through his instructor course and became convinced that he is one of the most progressive thinkers in the training community.

Tony's approach to combat is based on the REALITIES of human behavior and the nature of conflict, not "what we wish we could do" or "what we hope will happen."

Look for more details in an upcoming issue of SWAT Mag and check out Tony's website:

www.tonyblauer.com

[JShirley]

Look forward to reading 'bout it.

[Rob Pincus]

You would definitely dig this stuff.
Consider ordering a tape or two from his website.

2002 included at least 1000 hours of registered training for me and every one of those 5 days easily rank among the top 10 as far as "lasting impressions" and "lightbulb moments" go.

[Scott Evans]

So is he saying that “fear” just as pain predisposes us to a specific set of motor responses?

Also, I am always skeptical when a system claims any of the following:

Easy to learn, Life long benefit even without continued training, and no conflict with any other system one may be working out with. Blauer claims all of that.

I need just a little more info to get me over the hump.
:)

[Denny Hansen]

Tony's courses are almost completely for LEO's. Nothing against training the masses, fact is he just doesn't have time outside the LE arena.

Another great school for martial artists and learning to fight is Modern Warrior
http://www.modernwarrior.com/ Phil Messina is one of the best.

Rob, you interested in covering that one?

Denny

[Rob Pincus]

Scott,

Actually, Tony would probably argue about the "easy to learn" part, as you can't "teach" or "learn" flinch response... it just happens. The trick is accepting it and learning to use it, instead of trying to "train" yourself to overcome it.

The reason that there is no "conflict" is that SPEAR is a bridge. It gets you through an ambush so that you can use whatever you can/want once you go on the offensive. Any magic ninja tricks can work when you are the Ambusher... the SPEAR System is designed to get you out of a kill zone when you are attacked. Premise: It is ultimately impossible to be "attacked" and not be "surprised".. If you know something is coming why wouldn't you act pre-emptively? Makes sense to me... but you have to look beyond the immediate objections: Being "suspicous" or "wary" of an attack is not the same as "knowing that the guy was about to throw a left jab at my chin." If I know someone is throwing a left jab at my chin I should A. move my chin or B. affect his ability to use his left hand... therefore, the "attack" never happens if I truly "know" it is coming. At that point I'm allowed to use my "special move" instead of flinching.

There's more to it, obviously.

Almost all of his tapes are available to Non-LE types and he and his PDR team do put on civilian training.

Denny,

Did you have to ask??? Of course.

[Gomez]

I've not had the pleasure of training directly with Tony Blauer. I have viewed many of his training tapes and read most of what he's written. Blauer is on the short list of guys that I will make time to train with in the next few years. He runs a PDR course every February in Montreal (PDR are open to non-LEO/military). And he is teaching LEO and military about 40+ weeks out of the year. He stays busy. Components of his SPEAR curriculum have made it into the Calibre Press Street Survival Seminar. If you're familiar with the Street Survival Seminars, you understand what that means.

[M1911]

I'd love to take some stuff from Modern Warrior, but unfortunately they seem to be in NYC only. It's too far away for me for anything other than a seminar and I'd much rather be somewhere where I could carry...

M1911

[Blackhawk]

Thanks for the heads-up. It looks interesting! :D

[lurker]

I've seen some of his system on tape and on LETN, in short, it makes sense. If he ever makes it out to the PNW I'd love to take his training.

Stay safe,
lurker

[VaughnT]

If Paul says he's alright, that's good enough for me.

However, I have to wonder just how long it takes these people to come up with such cooooool acronyms. :rolleyes:

I will also agree with the premise this training is founded on. Accepting and adapting your startle reflex is critical to surviving the first one or two seconds of an attack. I believe that Krav Maga is based on this same idea.

[Rob Pincus]

I have limited experience with Krav Maga, but a K.M. guru was in the SPEAR course with me and he was very impressed with the idea of synergy between the two systems.

As for the Acronym, "SPEAR" was a system and technique before it was an acronym. The icon of the spear made sense in an aggressive system and it happened to represent the shape of the hands/arms while employing the basic technique.. a student asked what "spear" stood for and it prompted the development of: Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response.