I decided in the fall of 2012 to relook training requirements for 2013 focusing on a “layered defense” concept. 2012 had been a year of Pistol and Carbine work with a healthy dose of Long range and Angle shooting. I decided to start into much closer training on combatives and knife work. MDTS posted about this class and I decided it would be both a good start to the year and a good introduction to MDTS. As you will see, I was very impressed. The course was exactly as advertised.
MDTS Practical Small Knife Skills
When: 9 March 2013
Where: Alden, New York
Instructor: Chris Fry
Students: 14
Equipment needed: None
SCOPE: From the MDTS website (http://www.mdtstraining.com)
Justifiable Use of Force
The Knife for Personal Protection
Knife Selection-Folder vs. Fixed Blade Analysis
Understanding Criminal Assault
Practical Physical Defense
Carry, Presentation & In-Fight Accessing
Conventional & Unconventional Knife Gripping Methods
Edge & Point Driven Methodologies
Close Range Applications
Countering Grabs & Chokes
Prior to the class date, Chris emailed a detailed student information guide which was very useful. I arrived at the training location 30 minutes prior to the start time and Chris was already there. While not surprising, it was nice to see as I have seen some instructors arrive last minute and miss the start time while setting up. We filled out the normal pre Req forms and waited for all the students to arrive. Chris began with a quick but detailed background on himself and the company and then did class introductions. This set a good tone for the beginning of the class.
Using a white board, Chris introduced us to “unequal Armament” and his Readiness Triad. He also talked thru some various acronyms that would be used in the course. We then went into a discussion on criminal behavior and justifiable force. This part of the class was very enlightening. As active duty Military, my knowledge and outlook on this subject is slightly skewed.
We then went into some basic holds on the knife and reasons for using each hold. Chris then gave us his basic targeting guidelines. This led us into the differences in edge and point driven techniques. We spent some time on the various strikes and moved into getting the knife into the fight. Chris demonstrated several different types of carry with advantages and disadvantages of each.
We moved from this to some basic grappling and manipulations all with the intent of establishing enough time and space to retrieve the knife. Throughout the day, the building block approach used flowed extremely well.
MDTS stated that everyone who attended “would increase by one skill level” I found this to be entirely accurate. I am going to leave you hanging of further details, as these things should be seen in a class. I will be attending this same course again in the fall or next spring. It is the measuring stick I will be using for my other training this year.
I will leave you with this final thought on Chris Fry specifically.
I am a Small Arms Instructor for the US Army. I spend most of my days in front of Students and from that perspective, Chris is exceptional. I have also trained with various Military Instructors, TigerSwan, and Kyle Defoor. His nearly imperceptible ability to pace the class based off performance of individuals is hard to match. Nearly anyone can learn some material and regurgitate it. Chris is able to teach. None of the students ever felt ahead or behind. It was if we had trained together several times but a group of complete strangers had the feel of a neighborhood gym. If you want to see how to instruct, come to an MDTS class. Regardless of your training level, you will learn something.
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Originally Posted by A8AWD
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