Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Give YOUR child the Karate Edge in Life!


Attention Phoenix Parents...
Give YOUR child the Karate Edge in Life! 

Give us one class to show you how our Phoenix Karate Kids Taekwondo Self Defense program builds greater focus, prevents bullying, inspires better self esteem and discipline, PLUS keeps them fit and active.

Children that enroll in our Phoenix USA Martial Arts School gain a higher level of mental and physical discipline, laser-like focus, enhanced confidence, improved strength and fitness, plus kids learn practical self-defense techniques. Our Phoenix Children's Martial Arts program specializes in developing leadership traits and noble character.

Arm Your Child With
  • Peace Education for Bullying Prevention
  • Conflict Resolution Skills
  • Leadership Tools and Traits
  • Character Education & Good Manners
  • Reinforce the Values You Teach at Home

USA Martial Arts & Kickboxing Phoenix
Award-winning Traditional Mixed Martial Arts Instruction for Men, Women and Children of all ages.

WEBSPECIAL Children's Martial Arts & Self Defense

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Back To School Bullying Prevention With Peaceful Martial Arts Approach


 Parents Seek Martial Arts To Spare Children From Bullying

Parents are bringing their children to a bodyguard and law enforcement trainer in Phoenix to prepare them to prevent bullying. Phoenix parents are signing their children up for John Nottingham's BullyProof Vest - 5 Steps to Handle Bullying Like a Bodyguard at USA Martial Arts. Nottingham, a 6th Degree Master Black Belt offers his specialized classes in local schools, community groups, corporations and at his school in Phoenix.

Peace Prior to Punches
  Nottingham's method is based on the methods of Verbal Judo, a peaceful process of using tactical communication to avoid escalation and redirect behavior with words.  The method has been taught to thousands of Police officers and tested in the field.  Nottingham calls it "Tongue Fu" and teaches common sense before self defense.  This method of Martial Arts for the mouth builds confidence so that they don't appear to be a good target for bullying in the first place.  

Teach P.E.A.C.E.
  • Perceive
  • Evaluate
  • Act
  • Commit
  • Evaluate

Identifying Bullying Set Ups and Problem Situations Early
Students learn how to identify aggressive behavior, to know when, where and how to effectively respond without escalating.  "One of the more challenging aspects of my training is teaching that telling, as a first step, is a way to escalate most situations.  Children need to be taught when its best to tell - it is almost never the first step, unless you want to agitate the situation and have an ongoing problem.   It flies in the face of the conventional and misguided advice of "just tell" or "walk away".  Nottingham says that both of those options are what encourages, invites and prolongs most bullying and aggressive social dominance behavior.

"Parents choose this method because it is aligned with their values and protects their child in a practical way.  It succeeds where school wide anti-bullying programs often fail."
Assertion Competence and Boundary Setting for Bullying Prevention
Nottingham shows students how to recognize testing, lures and target selection - how not to be a victim.  His program emphasizes kindness, empathy, communication and demonstrating confidence and inner-strength to earn others respect or at minimum, to respect your personal boundaries.  When that doesn't work, it teaches children when and how to take defensive action in the least violent manner to protect them mentally, physically and emotionally.

Bullying Prevention Projects
Nottingham's passion is evident as he has been teaching his peaceful methods of persuasion for over 27 years.  He started an organization helping others by sharing successful practices and research called The Bullying Prevention Initiative International.  He also heads a chapter in Arizona called The Phoenix BullyProof Project.  He offers the training in an interactive lecture format that includes practical role playing that can be used instantly.   

Read more at:
Bullying Prevention Initiative International FACEBOOK
Arizona Bullying Prevention Project The Phoenix BullyProof Project FACEBOOK
USA Martial Arts & Kickboxing Phoenix


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Why People Don't Learn Self Defense

A little heart to heart as if you were are a close friend...

I can hear the voices next week already...

"Wow, I should have done VIPER. "  [VIPER is my trademark Violence Intervention Survival School.  It is a personal security course taught over a weekend that represents the culmination of my life's work from teaching Special Forces Combatives to my lifetime study of martial arts and teaching Security.]  I hear it every time after we finish a VIPER course and graduates are raving about how it transformed their lives.

I posted this on Facebook today regarding VIPER and self defense. 
Regret is a rotten thing. I learned early on to say "YES" to opportunities in my life. Tomorrow is not promised. Carpe diem. If you want something bad enough, you'll make it happen. Make this happen.
Fear... Fear... Fear...
Fear is the primary reason people don't participate in VIPER or any self defense courses for that matter. At some level they are in denial, or their ego is in charge. They fear losing control, looking silly, or facing the facts about their own abilities when it comes to personal safety. 

Oh no, that isn't how it gets rationalized in their mind. People say things like... "I can't afford it right now." Yet, the bumper on their car costs more than this life-saving course. Heck, most people spend more on insuring things that aren't nearly as likely going to happen than need self defense/security training.

Some say... "Maybe next time." Procrastination, most often, is just a self deceptive way of quitting.  It makes a loser and quitter feel like they still have integrity because they didn't say they would participate.  That's just bull manure for an intelligent, responsible citizen and we all know it.

They say..."I'm too busy." Yet they have time for frivolous and even harmful habits. It's only a weekend.  We're not asking for 3-6 years to earn a Black Belt and $4-10 grand.

Deep down inside they would rather carry the daily stress of anxiety that comes with denial than accept an opportunity to train with a world-class teacher in an advanced personal security strategy system.  This isn't your local YMCA self defense course! Step up - we each have a fundamental responsibility as a human to protect ourselves and those we love.  
Sheeple - Arrogance and Ignorance in Personal Security Self Defense
No. It's not about being busy.  We make time for that which is important to us.  No. It's not about the money.  Just look at the number of broke people with $500 cell phones.  The truth is that most people remain inviting targets for crime because they choose to ignore their own inner-wisdom, failing to listen to their survival instincts nor act on the God-given amazing opportunities right in front of them. It's easier to look for the magic pill and buy a gun, pepper spray, elaborate alarm systems and hold tight to the illusion that a gimmick or special tool will protect you.  Others just live with the insidious side effects of worry. 

Alarmist Media and Politicized Self Defense and Safety Information
With our survival signals and beliefs about safety and security so scrambled by sensational, alarmist media and ill advised tricks someone forwarded from an email, it is no wonder why so many are buying guns in record numbers.  That isn't to disparage our Second Amendment rights or the good training that can often accompany those actions.  Over reliance on any one thing at the expense of developing your ultimate survival asset, your mind, is fool's gold.  My point is that it is all emotional placebo unless we accept reality... 
  • The reality that we are all capable of great violence
  • That dangerousness is situational
  • That fear is our most powerful survival signal if we know how to protect it and use it
  • That all life is risk, however we are not powerless and victims of circumstance 
  • That we are far more powerful and innately equipped than we have allowed ourselves to believe
Security Theater and the Illusion of Safety and Self Defense
The truth is that it is a trained mind that is ready and willing to act that protects- not an emotional placebo product you can buy off a shelf. While the tools are helpful, they are secondary to the primary operating system - the amazing and powerful human mind. YOU are brilliantly gifted with survival instincts. Join us at VIPER and learn to unleash your inner protector. It is the first strategic personal security system of its kind on the planet and it works. It has already saved the lives, and the peace of mind of numerous graduates. Who knows, it may not be your own life that you save.

I implore you to take this course.  If not here, at least get good training somewhere.  You're worth it and I love you.

-john nottingham

Saturday, August 11, 2012

IMPACT Phoenix Krav Maga & Jeet Kune Do Classes

IMPACT - Real World Self Defense and Combat Conditioning
Practical Tactical Close Quarters Combatives | Hand to Hand Hand to Weapon Combat | CQC


Learn The Methods Taught To SWAT, Special Forces, Bodyguards and Military 
IMPACT is a unique fusion of Krav Maga, Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Military Hand to Hand Combat.  Developed by Master Instructor John Nottingham, developer of a highly efficient Military Combatives system for Special Forces (VIPER/RAGE H2H).  It's foundation is World War II Combatives, OSS and SAS tactics, sometimes referred to as Close Combat Training.  It also integrates protective strategies from the field of executive security (professional bodyguards).

Phoenix Krav Maga Classes - IMPACT 
Krav Maga is a Hebrew word for “contact combat”.  Developed as an effective defense for military personnel and Special Forces in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), it is an eclectic hand-to-hand combat system that makes use of striking techniques, grappling, mostly known for its highly efficient and devastating counter-attacks. It was derived from street-fighting aggressive self defense skills developed by Imi Lichtenfeld, who made use of his training as a boxer, gymnast and wrestler, as a means of defending the Jewish quarter against fascist groups in Bratislava in the mid- to late-1930s. In the late-1940s, following his immigration to Israel, he began to provide hand-to-hand combat training to what was to become the IDF, who went on to develop the system that became known as Krav Maga. It has since been refined for civilian, police and military applications.

Krav Maga Philosophy and Concepts
Krav Maga has a philosophy emphasizing threat neutralization, simultaneous defensive and offensive maneuvers, and aggression. Krav Maga is used by IDF Special Forces units and several closely related variations have been developed and adopted by law enforcement and intelligence organizations, Mossad and Shin Bet. There are several organizations teaching variations of Krav Maga internationally, the name in Hebrew means “hand-to-hand combat.” Krav meaning “battle” and Maga meaning “touch" or "contact.”

Generally, there are no rules in Krav Maga, as it is a defense fighting technique which is not regulated, but utilized to keep the user safe and incapacitate the opponent by any means necessary. Men and women generally undergo the same drills. It has no sporting federation, and there are no official uniforms or attire, although some organizations do recognize progress through training with rank badges, different levels, and belts.
General Krav Maga principles include:

Economy: Counter attacking as soon as possible, simultaneous attack and defense or attacking preemptively.

Soft Targets: Targeting attacks to the body’s most vulnerable points such as the eyes, jaw, throat, groin, knee etc.

Neutralization: Neutralizing the opponent as quickly as possible by responding with an unbroken stream of counter attacks and if necessary a takedown/joint break.

360 Awareness: Maintaining awareness of surroundings while dealing with the threat in order to look for escape routes, further attackers, objects that could be used to defend or help attack and so on.

Combat Conditioning
Basic training is a mixed aerobic and anaerobic workout. Protective pads and other personal protection equipment may be used during initial training. Scenarios are used to train personnel for situations typically encountered in street patrol or combat situations. Training scenarios teach students to ignore distractions. Other training methods to increase realism might include blindfolding or exercising trainees to near exhaustion before dealing with a simulated attack, as well as training outdoors on a variety of surfaces and restrictive situations.

Get Fit, Fight Fat, and Stay Strong
Training can also cover situational awareness to develop an understanding of one’s surroundings and potentially threatening circumstances before an attack occurs. It may also cover ways to deal with potentially violent situations, and physical and verbal methods to avoid violence whenever possible.

PFS Jeet Kune Do Concepts Based on Bruce Lee's Street Fighting Method
Progressive Fighting Systems (PFS) is an organization dedicated to teaching realistic self defense and promoting the expansion of Jeet Kune Do and the Filipino Martial Arts. Paul Vunak is the developer of the R.A.T. system and a combat trainer of Navy Seal teams, F.B.I. and D.E.A. agents. Paul is a top student of Dan Inosanto who was in turn a top student of Bruce Lee; Dan is considered to be one of the co-founders of JKD and has continued to develop the art since Bruce Lee's death.


Taught to the U.S. Navy Seals, CIA, FBI, DOD & DEA
Initiated by Dan Inosanto student Navy SEAL Team member Frank Cucci, Rapid Assault Tactics was developed by street fighting specialist Paul Vunak for the U.S. Navy Seals as a primary combative program based in Jeet Kune Do concepts. 

Used by Over 50 Police Departments
The R.A.T. system places an emphasis on self-preservation using a realistic fighting matrix that is designed to quickly neutralize an opponent, even if they are bigger and stronger. Rapid Assault Tactics specializes in capitalizing the phase or range in which an attack is occurring and conditions individuals on how to neutralize to the threat with the most effective techniques. Today, the R.A.T. system is taught to Special Forces, Military, F.B.I, D.E.A, C.I.A, and over 50 police Departments in the U.S and other countries.

The complete Progressive Fighting Systems curriculum includes force continuum, weapons, stand up, mass attack, and ground fighting tactics. Training is personally taught by John Nottingham who is a certified PFS Full Instructor under Sifu Paul Vunak, Bodyguard Trainer and Airborne Army Veteran who served in a Special Forces reserve support unit.


Monday, August 6, 2012

IMPACT Krav Maga Jeet Kune Do Combatives & Fitness



Principles of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do 

I have not invented a "new style," composite, modified or otherwise that is set within distinct form as apart from "this" method or "that" method. On the contrary, I hope to free my followers from clinging to styles, patterns, or molds. Remember that Jeet Kune Do is merely a name used, a mirror in which to see "ourselves". . . Jeet Kune Do is not an organized institution that one can be a member of. Either you understand or you don't, and that is that. There is no mystery about my style. My movements are simple, direct and non-classical. The extraordinary part of it lies in its simplicity. Every movement in Jeet Kune-Do is being so of itself. There is nothing artificial about it. I always believe that the easy way is the right way. Jeet Kune-Do is simply the direct expression of one's feelings with the minimum of movements and energy. The closer to the true way of Kung Fu, the less wastage of expression there is. Finally, a Jeet Kune Do man who says Jeet Kune Do is exclusively Jeet Kune Do is simply not with it. He is still hung up on his self-closing resistance, in this case anchored down to reactionary pattern, and naturally is still bound by another modified pattern and can move within its limits. He has not digested the simple fact that truth exists outside all molds; pattern and awareness is never exclusive. Again let me remind you Jeet Kune Do is just a name used, a boat to get one across, and once across it is to be discarded and not to be carried on one's back.
— Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do | JeetKuenDo | JKD | Jun Fan Principles
1.   Be a complete martial artist & free yourself of limitation
2.   Combat Realism
3.   Discover your own truth
4.    Essence & Usefullness: "Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, cultivate what is truly your own."
5.    JKD four ranges of combat.  This is one reason Bruce Lee is considered by some to be the father of modern MMA (Mixed Martial Arts such as seen in the UFC).
  • Kicking
  • Punching
  • Trapping
  • Grappling
6.   JKD five ways of attack
7.   JKD teaches that the best defense is a strong offense, hence the principle of an "intercepting fist"

8.   The straight lead as foundation
9.  Non-telegraphic punch
10.  Fluidity: "Be like water"
11.  Stop hits and kicks
12.  Simultaneous parry and punch
13.  Low kicks 
14.  Centerline
15.  Economy of motion

  • Efficiency: An attack which reaches its target in the least amount of time, with maximum force.
  • Directness: Doing what comes naturally in a disciplined way.
  • Simplicity: Thinking in an uncomplicated manner; without ornamentation. source: wikipedia Jeet Kune Do
Check Your Ego At The Door.  At USA Martial Arts & Kickboxing IMPACT Phoenix Krav Maga, we believe there are no superior martial arts, just superior martial artists." -John Nottingham
IMPACT Krav Maga also make use of scenario based training so that you learn the very same secrets of modern professional warriors like SWAT.

The ultimate goal is survival in this system.
 Principles for Krav Maga are:
  • Counter attacking as soon as possible (or attacking preemptively).
  • Targeting attacks to the body's most vulnerable points such as the eyes, jaw, throat, solar plexus, ribs, groin, knee, armpits etc.
  • Neutralizing the opponent as quickly as possible by responding with an unbroken, varied stream of counter attacks (i.e. attacking high/low) and if necessary a take down/joint break.
  • Maintaining awareness of surroundings while dealing with the threat in order to look for escape routes, further attackers, objects that could be used to defend or help attack and so on. source:Wikipedia Krav maga 

 Read more or take advantage of our Webspecial here

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Phoenix Krav Maga IMPACT Comes to Arizona



IMPACT - Not Your Typical KravMaga
IMPACT Phoenix Krav Maga comes to Arizona and teaches practical self defense skills for the modern world.  IMPACT Phoenix Krav Maga is John Nottingham's version of reality based self defense and fitness conditioning training.  Nottingham developed a combatives program and trained members of US Army Special Forces while serving in an Airborne Special Operations Reserve unit.  In addition to USA Martial Arts & Kickboxing, he also owns Nottingham Sword & Shield Security and a Bodyguard Training Academy and infuses his experience into the self defense classes.

IMPACT Krav Maga Phoenix 
Intense Mental Physical Applied Conditioning Training
Self Defense IMPACT Phoenix Krav Maga is a new form of hand to hand combat designed to bring individuals to a high level of personal safety in a relatively short period of time.  It is a concept based system based on practical drills that fit a variety of real-world situations.

No Belts - No Gi's - No Nonsense Self Defense
Drawing on several systems of military hand to hand combat, this unique version of fitness conditioning and self defense strategy training incorporates kicks, punches, elbows, knees, grappling, and non-traditional self defense tactics.
The IMPACT Krav Maga and Jeet Kune Do Combatives Self Defense System is ever evolving.

IMPACT H2H/CQC Special Forces Origins
IMPACT Phoenix Krav Maga was developed by Special Forces, SWAT, and Bodyguard trainer John Nottingham.  Unlike typical Krav Maga, IMPACT Phoenix Krav Maga is tailored to meet the needs and bodies of everyday citizens.  It builds men and women from the ground up, rather than assuming they are already athletic, in shape or resilient.  Classical Krav Maga has a very high drop out rate and complaints of injuries because it was designed specifically for anti-terrorism training of young military soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces.  IMPACT Krav Maga Phoenix is adapted to accommodate civilians and protect against those injuries.

Integrating the proven self defense and fighting principles and drills of:

  • Krav Maga
  • Jeet Kune Do
  • Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
  • US Military Combatives H2H/CQC/CQB
  • VIPER Street Combat Personal Protection DT
  • Bootcamp Fitness Conditioning (Boxing, Muay Thai Kickboxing and more)

Sifu Paul Vunak and Tom Cruse Training US NAVY SEAL TEAM 
How is This Method of IMPACT Krav Maga and Hand To Hand Combat Different?
Walking The Talk
IMPACT Krav Maga Phoenix draws upon PFS Jeet Kune Do concepts, the very same skills the legendary Paul Vunak taught to the US NAVY SEALS and SPECIAL OPERATIONS community. Nottingham is one of select few instructors in the world holding certifications from 5 time UFC and MMA Champion Frank Shamrock, JKD Legend Paul Vunak, Tony Blauer (SPEAR founder), Gavin de Becker (The Gift of Fear) and a host of others.

   Paul Vunak is a protege of legendary Dan Inosanto (of Bruce Lee fame), Paul was contracted to teach SEAL team six as well as almost every branch of the special forces and more than 18 government agencies including the FBI, CIA, DEA, and DOD.

The US Navy Seals and over 18 government agencies choose the PFS JKD method of fighting when their lives are on the line.  Nottingham is certified as a FULL INSTRUCTOR in PFS Jeet Kune Do.
For more information on what IMPACT Phoenix Krav Maga can do for you visit
USA Martial Arts PHOENIX KRAV MAGA IMPACT
http://www.usa-martialarts.com/phoenix-krav-maga/index.php

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Valley self defense experts teach your children how to stay safe with FREE Back To School Safety seminar

Do Your Children Have Everything They Need for Back To School?


  • Confidence
  • Focus
  • Self Defense Skills
  • Abduction Prevention (Stranger Safety & Abuse Prevention)
  • Bullying Prevention and Avoidance Training

North Valley/Phoenix/kids-self-defense:-safety-experts-show-us-life-saving-moves

PHOENIX, AZ - Valley self defense experts are teaching your children how to stay safe with a free back to school self defense and safety seminar.

Nottingham Sword & Shield Security and USA Martial Arts & Kickboxing in Phoenix is offering the seminar for kids which will focus on:
  • Methods to deal with bullies
  • Self Defense
  • Abduction Prevention & Escape Tactics

The next FREE seminar is Saturday, August 11th at 11:30 a.m.
Find more information online or call 602.896.8721 (USA1).


Phoenix self defense experts teach your children how to stay safe with FREE Self Defense and Anti-Bullying training camps



USA Martial Arts & Kickboxing in Phoenix is offering the seminar for children which will focus on:
  • Confidence in a self defense crisis
  • Smart methods to handle bullies
  • Practical Self Defense including holds, grabs, shoves, punches and escapes
  • Danger signals and warning signs
  • What to do and when to do it
This summer you can give your children more than just better video games and tv watching skills.  The curriculum is designed to be fun, entertaining, and empowering without scaring kids.

USA Martial Arts & Kickboxing, in partnership with the nationally respected experts in child safety, Nottingham Sword & Shield Security is launching a worldwide initiative to help minimize the risk of child abduction through education.  USA Martial Arts instructors partner with parents to help keep kids safe and educate them in ways that will help them cope with the problems they face on a day to day basis.  
• Stranger Danger
• Methods to deal with bullies
• Simple break away self-defense
• Child abduction safety tips

Our next FREE seminar is Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 11:30 AM.  Space is limited so call early to reserve a seat.
The personal safety learned in our Kid-Wise program combined with the life skills learned in our Kids Karate and Children Taekwondo Programs will give your child an advantage in school, and everyday life.  It is our goal to make the children in our community safer.
Our Safety Programs have been featured on Channel 3's  Arizona Parenting,  Good Morning Arizona,  Sonoran Living, Morning News on Fox 10, ABC 15 & Arizona's Family Channel 3.



Find more information online or call 602-896-8721 (USA1).
USA Martial Arts & Kickboxing
Sponsored by Nottingham Sword & Shield Security Bodyguards
4731 E. Greenway Suite 9
Phoenix, Arizona 85032
email BullyProofVestAZ@gmail.com
Telephone 602.896.8721



About John Nottingham, PI, EPS, 6th Degree Master Black Belt
Phoenix Martial Arts Master Instructor John Nottingham is not only a 6th Degree Black Belt but a bodyguard and law enforcement trainer who owns a security company.  His expertise in self defense and security techniques are sought after by Government agencies, military and individuals seeking peace of mind.