BARRIER Certified Certification is rigorous, but realistic. Gaining the tools and the having the knowledge to use the tools to defend yourself takes more than just a work-shop. Being BARRIER Certified means you are truly prepared. 

    Certification is a 7-month program, but a dedicated student may be able to achieve certification in as little as 3 months 

    The program is organized into several badges, each representing a family of techniques that is essential to self-defense. Certification is merit based and a student must test to be awarded a badge. Gaining all badges will award certification. 

    • Foundation: Key movements that is universal to all techniques. Includes how to fall, move on the ground, stand, and walk under pressure 
    • Standing: how to deal with an attacker while you are on your feet. Includes how break free from an attacker that has grabbed you, how to engage or disengage from a striking attacker, and how to defend yourself from an attack from behind 
    • Ground: how to deal with an attacker while you are on the ground. Emphasizes control, and includes how to defend from being hit, regaining a superior position, and being comfortable moving effectively on the ground 
    • Tactics: how to avoid conflict, and what the correct goals are in a potentially violent situation. Students must show calm decision making under pressure and must know what choices to make that is appropriate in a situation 
    • Verbal: The use of non-physical techniques to de-escalate a situation before it even starts. What the goals are during a conversation, including setting strong boundaries, handling threats, and calming down an agitated person. 
    • Miscellaneous: using weapons, working in groups, etc 

    Advanced Levels The program is repeated in cycles, and each time a student repeats a cycle there is higher expectations from same techniques. 

    • Advanced students are able to be taught at the same time beginner students are. 
    • Advanced students gain more mastery by repeating the techniques. 
    • Beginner students are able to enter at any stage of the program, and can look forward to doing what the advanced students are doing 

    Certified – “Blue Belt”, can execute all techniques reliably, without help, under resistance 

    Level 2 – “Purple Belt”, learn advanced versions of techniques (offering the student more options during a situation), an can execute under combative levels of stress 

    Level 3 – “Brown Belt”, mastery of advanced options, and can now dictate direction of the fight, expect intelligent use of submissions 

    Level 4 – Considered a BARRIER Colleague, and is able to teach the program