Self Defense Combatives Classes In Brighton, CO
At Lionheart Jiu Jitsu in Brighton, CO, our self defense and combatives classes are designed to prepare you for real-world situations with practical, effective techniques.
Real-world violence is fast, chaotic, and unforgiving. Our combatives self-defense program is designed to prepare you for high-stress, real-life encounters, integrating the most effective techniques from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, Muay Thai, and modern weapons training. This is not sport—it’s practical, battle-tested self-defense built for real situations.
What to Expect
- Realistic Self-Defense Techniques – Defend against strikes, grabs, chokes, and ambush-style attacks.
- Close-Quarters Control & Escapes – Neutralize threats and create space in confined environments.
- Ground Defense & Survival – Learn to fight from disadvantageous positions and regain control.
- Weapon Awareness, Defense & Deployment – Understand how to defend against firearms, knives, and blunt objects—and when to deploy your own.
- Adrenaline & Stress-Based Training – Develop composure and decision-making skills under realistic pressure.
Who Should Join?
- Anyone looking for real-world self-defense training beyond sport-based techniques.
- Individuals who carry weapons and need training on deployment and retention under pressure.
- Law enforcement, security personnel, and those in high-risk professions.
- Martial artists wanting to bridge the gap between sport and street defense.
The Lionheart Difference
- Continuing education from nationally renowned self-defense experts, ensuring the most up-to-date training.
- A structured, no-nonsense approach focused on effectiveness, control, and survivability.
- Training environments that simulate real-world scenarios, ensuring skills translate beyond the gym.
In a real fight, hesitation is the enemy. Train with purpose. Stay in control. Be ready.
Unarmed Defense
Clinch fighting, striking, blocking, escapes, submissions, and takedowns.
The core of our self-defense curriculum takes place assuming you’re unarmed, and teaches you how to protect yourself in that circumstance.
This segment of our self-defense combatives program focuses on unarmed defense in real-world situations, where space is limited and violence can escalate quickly. Students will train to control the clinch, deliver effective strikes, defend against attacks, and transition to dominant positions using a combination of takedowns, escapes, and submissions.
Students will learn:
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Clinch Fighting & Control – How to manage posture, break grips, and dominate in close-quarters encounters
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Striking Under Pressure – Use of punches, elbows, and knees to create space or disable an attacker
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Defensive Tactics & Blocking – Learn to intercept strikes, protect vital targets, and reset position
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Takedowns & Throws – Apply efficient, high-percentage takedowns to gain control or escape safely
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Submission Techniques – Use joint locks and chokes to neutralize threats when necessary
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Escapes from Holds or Grabs – Break free from headlocks, bear hugs, wrist grabs, and other common attacks
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Transitional Flow – Move fluidly between striking, grappling, and submission depending on the situation
This training is scenario-based and pressure-tested, giving students the confidence and ability to react decisively when physical confrontation is unavoidable. Whether you’re new to self-defense or refining an existing skill set, this segment equips you with the tools to stay in control and protect yourself effectively.
Knife Defense
“He had a knife!”
A scary thought, but one that’s becoming very commonplace. How do you deal with the threat?
Learn how with us, and get the best chance of survival.
In this segment of our self-defense combatives program, students will focus on realistic, pressure-tested defenses against edged weapon attacks. We do not teach knife fighting—we teach you how to survive and escape when a blade is involved.
Training covers:
Recognizing Common Knife Attack Patterns – Learn to identify how knives are typically used in real assaults.
Distance Management & Situational Awareness – Understand how to create space, control range, and avoid being ambushed.
Blocking, Redirecting, and Controlling the Blade Arm – Develop skills to intercept and limit damage when escape is not immediately possible.
Takedowns & Positional Control – Learn how to bring the attacker to the ground safely and neutralize the threat.
Escape & Survival Tactics – Focus on breaking contact and getting away with minimal injury whenever possible.
Stress-Based Drills – Train under realistic intensity to improve reaction time, decision-making, and composure.
Our approach is honest and practical—we emphasize the risks of knife encounters and focus on tactics that maximize survival in worst-case scenarios. All training is conducted with safe, controlled equipment and led by instructors with a commitment to realism and student safety.
Knife attacks are fast and chaotic. This training gives you the tools to react with clarity, defend yourself effectively, and escape when it matters most.
Our head instructor and owner are both certified to teach Knife Control Concepts curriculum.
Firearms Defense and Deployment
Do you know how to fight over a gun if the bad guy pulls one out? Do you know how to get your own out into a usable position?
Bridge the gap from the range to real-life in our self-defense combatives classes.
In this segment of our self-defense combatives program, students will learn how to handle close-range encounters involving firearms—whether defending against an armed attacker or accessing their own weapon under pressure.
Training covers:
Gun Disarmament & Control – How to defend against a drawn firearm at close range using leverage, positioning, and timing.
Weapon Retention – Techniques to prevent your firearm from being taken or turned against you during a struggle.
Access Under Stress – Learn how to draw your weapon safely and effectively while engaged in a physical altercation.
Decision-Making in Use-of-Force Scenarios – Understand when it’s legally and ethically appropriate to deploy a firearm.
Bridging the Gap from Range to Reality – Move beyond static target practice and develop skills that apply when the fight is already in progress.
These classes are taught in a safe, controlled environment, with training weapons and hands-on coaching to simulate the pressure and chaos of real-world situations. Whether you carry or not, knowing how to manage and defend against firearms is a critical component of practical self-defense.
Ready to Start Self Defense Combatives Classes in Brighton CO?
FAQ
Still have questions? Contact us easily by phone, text, or email – we’re here to help!
Absolutely. Our classes are designed to be taken ad hoc during the week, or as day/two-day seminars on weekends. Most do not have prerequisites.
No problem, we have many students that don’t. In the sections where we teach retention and deployment you can either follow along if you’d like, or you can play the “bad guy” for other students.
Not yet, although that is a goal eventually. We can recommend excellent local trainers and facilities however.
There are very few certifications that exist for this sort of thing.
We are certified to teach knife defense through Knife Control Concepts, and have another certification being conducted later this year.
We also engage in continuing education by flying out to trainers, and flying them in to us for multi-day seminars.
We’re the only academy in Colorado that is actively learning and bringing this education to our students.
We remain engaged in the combatives community as best we can, practice what we teach, and only teach things we’re fully confident in.
