The HaganaH Blog

Our Israeli Professional Tactical Training (I.P.T.T.) division will be offering a few added courses over the next 90 days. Senior IPTT Instructor, Garret M will be conducting small group training in tactical rifle, advanced combat pistol, land navigation, aggression drills, combat medic, and a dry fire review. He may be bringing in a couple of other high level Israelis to assist, as he did with the first combat pistol course taught a month ago. It looks to be an awesome addition to the Haganah repertoire of programs and another opportunity for Garret M to deliver an excellent experience to all of our clients. Details will be posted on our new website, which will be launched in the next month or so. Stay tuned.

Randy Proto: Every tactic has a weakness

Occasionally people point out a weakness in a specific tactic in “the other guys system,” as though they have the holy grail. It’s interesting. In Haganah we recognize that every tactic – yes every one – has a weakness. Including ours.

The idea is to blend together tactics and establish strategy in such a way that the exposure created by those weaknesses is minimized and the strengths of the tactics line up with the need in various situations and can be exploited. By differing audiences.

I was recently reviewing two gun disarms – from a purely technical perspective – and saw a clear weakness in each. One was ours, one from one of the various Krav Maga organizations. On the other hand, each was designed for a last resort scenario. One where the victim concluded that the assailant was going to shoot him/her. And he/she couldn’t maneuver for better position. Help arriving wasn’t an option. Time for compliance was over. In the victim’s mind, the situation was a fixed one.

I decided that a tactic with a weakness was better than the alternative. And, I also decided that everyone who has the skill should be working toward finding improved tactics in these types of situations. We certainly are.

Thought everyone would be interested in this press release:

Local Area Business Announces New Military and Law Enforcement Counter-Terror Training Capability

May 18, 2010, Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Today, Randy Proto, Co-founder of International HaganaH Federation, a Davie based self defense and tactical training company, announced that it has added a former Duvdevan Israeli Special Forces Operator known as Garret Machine as an Israeli Professional Tactical Training Instructor for its US operations. “Duvdevan is one of the most prestigious counter-terror units of the IDF, therefore, we are very pleased to bring this special skill set to our organization,” stated Proto.

“Each member of our instructional staff brings a completely different real world experience with them that all of our clients benefit from,” added Proto. “Our US operations, particularly those serving our military and law enforcement clients, will see great enhancements from our new course offerings including numerous added handgun combat shooting courses, rifle combat shooting courses, home and facility defense courses, high profile security professional courses and extensive military tactics courses including counter terror and unit security procedures, structure entry and clearing tactics, urban warfare tactics, hostage rescue, and others. Garret Machine has been trained in numerous Israeli methods, including LOTAR and YAMAM Hostage rescue, and participated in numerous small team urban counter-terror combat missions during his nearly 7 years in the Israeli military. These exciting and challenging classes will certainly enhance the skill sets of those who participate in them. We have also conducted a review of and added updated variations of a few gun disarm tactics in the Haganah system as a result of working with him over the past few months”

“Garret Machine is an outstanding IDF veteran and adds to Haganah a full set of updated weapons skills and current counter-terror tactics skills,” said Mike Lee Kanarek. “I created Haganah with a commitment to continual enhancement and growth. We have done so each year at our annual conference. Self defense and military tactics don’t change every day, but over time they change – sometimes in subtle ways that are only applicable to a small but important part of our student base. We hope to add a Senior IPTT instructor and partner for International Operations soon as well.”

“As part of our commitment to our team, all active Haganah Black Belt level certification instructors who wish to train with Garret Machine will be able to at no-cost for a two day special session in Florida this fall to expose them to his skills and enhance theirs,” said Proto.

The HaganaH system is an Israeli based comprehensive self defense and defensive tactics system that has certified instructors and authorized training centers nationwide and internationally. IHF has relationships with many law enforcement and military professionals. IHF’s objective is to assist all levels and types of individuals and professionals – from Housewives to Homeland Security – to continually enhance their self defense and defensive tactics methods. For more information regarding the International HaganaH Federation or any of its course offerings please visit us at www.fight2survive.com.

Original Post by John Clarke – www.haganaheast.com

By: John Clarke

On Friday March 5, 2010, AJ Held, JB Glossinger, and I had the opportunity to train with Master Hung Tran and Vu Tran in Tran’s Muay Thai.  I had met Master Tran through my friend, trainer, and mentor Mike Lee Kanarek, at the 5th Annual HaganaH Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada in January 2010 http://www.fight2survive.com/.  I have been biting at the bit since, to experience Tran’s Muay Thai System.

The short wait was over, when the opportunity and invitation was extended to us to train at the Martial Arts University International’s Warriors Weekend 16http://www.mauinternational.com/.  Master Tran was the showcase instructor for an intense workout amongst martial arts school owners from all over the country.  We were fortunate to train at MAUI’s extraordinary facility, located at 5800 North Federal Highway Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334.  I would like to thank Kyoshi Steve LaVallee for his welcoming and hospitality.

Master Tran’s mix of physical fitness drills and his curriculum approach to Muay Thai made this a kickass workout session.  I was definitely glad that I ate light that afternoon.  He covered all the fundamentals of Tran’s Muay Thai as he tested our mind, body, and warrior spirit.  I was especially excited that some of these fundamentals were put to use in pro sparring the following morning at HaganaH East with Team Scratchline.  I am eager to immediately adopt these Muay Thai fundamentals into everyday drills in preparation for my next fight.

Master Tran certifies instructors to teach his system in martial art academies all across the country.  For more information on instructor certifications, visit Tran’s Kickboxing website: http://www.transkickboxing.com/

Last night it was a rocking Combat Fitness at the HaganaH Davie HQ’s! The night group got started at 7:30 and rocked it till about 8:45. The workout a combination of fighting drills, running, circuit and cardiovascular was just at the right pace.

Everyone is getting ready for the Combat Fitness Coaching certification coming up in April! Diet, Nutrition and working hard is a large part of combat fitness. It is a true overall fitness experience!

Here are a few pictures from last night.

Bag work at HaganaH Combat Fitness

Combat Fitness

Submitted by HaganaH East to see the full article click here

Leg in between the legs, outside, or across?

By: John Clarke

In training for my last fight, a debate came to my attention about leg placement for defending a single leg attempt.  Some Brazilian Jui Jitsu and wrestling camps teach leg outside, some teach across, and some in between the legs.  Through my training and experience I have found the best choice is in between the legs, but with your instep in the groin.

The reasons for this vary, but most importantly would be to limit your opponent’s offense.  The most dangerous takedown that you are open for with your leg in between is if your opponent runs the pipe (hikes the football for us Florida boys).  This is a great technique; however it is not pulled off easily.  Even if done perfectly, it can still be countered with excellent balance.  When you add a whizzer or a sprawl to your defense it becomes even more difficult to execute.

With your leg across, you open up an array of offensive takedowns.  The position also puts you at a balance disadvantage and makes you an easier target for trips.

Your leg outside, in my opinion, is the worst.  You leave yourself wide open for a blast double leg takedown and a variety of trips.  In sport or reality fighting, the force alone of a blast double can end the fight.  You can also give up side control very easily (a fan favorite for a ground and pound specialist).  I’ll attach a video to bring these points home.