The On Guard system of training courses was originally designed and developed by Kevin Blok, a psychology professor, Aikido master instructor, police defensive tactics teacher and security consultant. These courses could be useful for just about anyone, but their particular design is especially adapted for law enforcement and security personnel, where control and detainment are more important than the defeat of an opponent. They are also exceptionally suited to violent patient management and have been extremely useful in detention centre, youth apprehension, home care nursing, group home and various other settings. In addition, On Guard offers courses for the average person looking for simple but effective self defense strategies and techniques. Everyone can benefit from skills that help keep them and their loved ones safe.All instruction is by highly trained, internationally certified professionals with extensive experience. Classes are taught personally by chief instructor Kevin Blok and his assistants. Instructional options vary from the one class introductory or one day comprehensive workshops for the general public to specific certification programs for the serious professional. There are also basic and advanced instructor programs available or a program can be designed to meet the particular needs and budgets of our clients. Instruction can be at your site or at our high quality training facility in Windsor, Ontario.

The many benefits of On Guard training include:

• Personal safety and awareness
• Being able to employ simple but effective restraining techniques without causing physical injury
• Controlling aggressive/violent individuals without brute strength
• Reduced legal liability
• Reduced stress on you and the controlled subjects
• Improved confidence and health
• Better focus and co-ordination

Single Class Introductory Workshop

1-2 hours

The course content includes basic defense techniques and self protection awareness for the beginner.

One Day Comprehensive Course

4-5 hours

This is an expanded program of defense delving more deeply into physical and non-contact self protection under various circumstances, including situational control on how not to be a victim. The course includes basic self-defense techniques and movements, basic pressure point control, breakaways, releases and stuns. A basic certification diploma is provided upon successful completion of this course.

Control and Defensive Tactics Basic Course

12-16 hours

This is a comprehensive training course covering a variety of topics including practical self defense techniques, use of force continuum, aligning skills for greater effectiveness, hold reversals, blocks, checks, pressure point controls, stuns, basic edged weapon defense and more with a strong focus on control of others for arrest and/or detainment. A graduate certification diploma is provided after successful completion of the course.

Basic Instructor Program

35-40 hours

This is a detailed course of study including expanded self protection, crisis intervention, situational control, use of force continuum, a wide spectrum of non-lethal force control (escorts, takedowns pins, pressure points, blocks, checks, evasions, stuns, and more), search/frisking, edged weapon defense, basic weapon disarming and retention. impact weapons and handcuff use without physical injury. This is combined with a strong focus on how to train others and improve their skills. Instructor certification is provided after the successful completion of both written and physical exams.

Advanced Instructor Program

20 hours & Basic Instructor Program

This is an intensive course with content that includes further defense and control applications, instructional styles, approaches and deliveries, comprehensive situational analysis, weapons use and disarming, speed handcuffing, administering a training program and more. Advanced instructor certification is provided after successful completion of both written and physical exams.

Non-Physical Crisis Intervention Program

6-8 hours

An intensive course of non-violent conflict control including an assessment of present capabilities and skills, anatomy of personal conflict, non-violent communication, interpreting body language and physical cues, metamessages, and controlling verbal exchanges. It also covers matching, building rapport and empathy, self control and centering, peaceful resolutions to conflict (deflect, diffuse, and neutralize an attack), dealing with fear and anger, remaining detached, team approaches, keeping safe and out of court, tactical positioning, patterns of movement and self protection strategies. A graduate certification diploma is provided after the successful completion of the course.

Benevolent Control and Violent Person Management

6-8 hours

Benevolent Control is a simple but extremely effective system of techniques and strategies for violence intervention, prevention and control. It has been designed with self protection as a primary component but is unique from other self defense based studies in that there is a strong element of controlling others without injury to them. These “benevolent” techniques use no punching or kicking, nor do they require a great amount of physical strength. Defense and control are achieved by employing pressure points, joint immobilizations, takedowns, come-along holds and pins with a minimum of force. All techniques are structured to be easily learned, yet effective under real life circumstances. There is a strong focus on using only the amount of force necessary to control the situation, while keeping the safety of everyone involved as a paramount component. The potential for situational control is greatly enhanced when the techniques of this course are used in conjunction with On Guard’s most popular course – Non-Physical Crisis Intervention.

Motivation and Instructional Techniques

6-8 hours

This is a detailed course of study, focusing on motivating oneself and others as well as improving and upgrading your delivery of instructional techniques of all kinds. The program includes the basic concepts of how we learn most and least effectively, the K.I.S.S. principle, chunking, active listening and effective communication. Also included is how to give and receive criticism, empathy in communication, using feedback, information retention and re-enforcement, review, and personal accountability. The motivational section of the course includes knowledge versus wisdom, building rapport, expectations and direction, patience, attention, empowerment, kaizen (the concept of continual improvement), encouragement, adjusting and focusing on appropriate priorities, commitment to excellence, personal bliss and walking the talk. A graduate certification diploma is provided after successful completion of the course.

Youth Empowerment & Safety Program

The Y.E.S. Program is a system which assists in reducing violence and increasing the self-esteem and safety among today’s youth.  It was designed particularly for students in elementary and secondary school, but would be valuable to other people in the community as well. It aims to develop an atmosphere of acceptance, security and encouragement among individuals in their school, home and social environments.

These goals are achieved through the teaching of anti-bullying strategies, street proofing and awareness, stranger danger, and personal safety.  Topics are covered thoroughly until the students have a complete and full understanding of each and every subject.  The Y.E.S. Program shows students how to diffuse, and more importantly, prevent aggressive situations without violence.  Also, personal safety techniques are taught to students for protecting themselves from a physical threat.

Special Programs

Special programs can be designed to suit particular needs and budgets in such topic areas as:

• Basic Self Defense/Personal Protection
• Control and Defensive Tactics
• Handgun/Long Gun Retention and Disarming
• Edged Weapon Defense
• Ground Defensive Tactics
• Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint (L.V.N.R.)
• Arm Control Escort System (A.C.E.S.)/Passive Resister Control
• Rigid and Expandable Baton
• Tactical and Speed Handcuffing
• Travel Defense
• Child and Youth Safety/Anti-Bullying
• Benevolent Control/Violent Person Management
• Non-Physical Crisis Intervention
• Motivation and Instructional Techniques
• and more...

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