Intuitive Defensive Shooting is an intuitive shooting program designed to help the student become a more efficient shooter
in the context of a dynamic critical incident.
That definition sure sounds sexy, but let’s explore its meaning.
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- Intuitive, from a physiological perspective, is something that works well with what the body does naturally.
- Efficiency allows us to achieve our goal with the least amount of time, energy, and effort. Note that
efficiency includes effectiveness (achieving our goal) in its definition. - A dynamic critical incident is any sudden or surprising chaotic event that presents us with physical
violence or the threat of physical violence.
If we work with what the body does naturally during a dynamic critical incident, we are being more efficient. Therefore, by dealing with a dynamic critical incident in an intuitive, more efficient way Intuitive Defensive Shooting aims to make you safer faster.
Intuitive Defensive Shooting is based on the study of empirical evidence from real, violent encounters and builds on the
body’s natural reactions to an attack. The range of most lethal threat encounters is 3 to 10 feet. At this distance Intuitive Defensive Shooting provides the most efficient way to engage your threat with a handgun.
This course empowers students by encouraging them to embrace and utilize the body’s natural reactions to
neutralize threats as efficiently as possible.
Intuitive Defensive Shooting recognizes that understanding your balance between speed and precision is one of the most
important factors in achieving maximum efficiency. We acknowledge that there is not one “best” response
to every threat, but that the necessary response is dictated by many factors that make each threat unique.
Therefore the Intuitive Defensive Shooting technique does not rely solely on either “unsighted fire” (focus on the threat) or
“sighted fire” (focus on the front sight), but teaches that there are appropriate situations for both. However, Intuitive Defensive Shooting does emphasize that with good defensive shooting fundamentals you can get combat accurate
hits (Combat Accuracy: “any shot that significantly affects the target ability to present a lethal threat”) while
focused on the threat in the majority of cases. This is important because in a counter-ambush situations your brain(and eyes) natural reaction is to focus on the threat, not on the front sight.
Course List
Introduction to Defensive Handguns
The Introduction to Defensive Handguns Course is designed to educate the student about the
handguns that are best for personal defense and how to use them efficiently in the context of a
home defense scenario.
This course is designed for those new to firearms or experienced shooters who are interested in
learning specifically about using a handgun for personal defense.
This comprehensive course takes place at a live fire range where students will be introduced to the
fundamentals of defensive shooting. Students will learn about various firearms types and the
distinct advantages that some have over others with regard to defensive use. Students will be
introduced to the most important shooting skills and have the opportunity to develop their
competency in the context of a “home defense” shooting situation. Fundamental Home Defense
Tactics, Responsible Defensive Firearms Storage and dealing with Law Enforcement Response will
also be covered.
Course is designed to take 4-6 hours, depending on class size.
Students will need 250 rounds of ammunition and should bring their defensive handgun, if they
own one, and three (3) magazines .
Contact Instructor to discuss the availability of firearms for use during this course.
Introduction to Intuitive Defensive Shooting
Introductions to the Principles and Fundamentals of the Intuitive Defensive Shooting Course can be
taught in one to four hours. These courses range in price according to the planned course time.
Intro to IDS is offered to give prospective students, media, hosts or those without the time or
resources for a full 2 day course an idea of what that course covers, the core principles of the IDS
Program, the fundamental techniques of intuitive defensive shooting and the training methodology
that is used in all of the CFS Programs.
This course will provide the student with base level defensive shooting skills and some ideas for
efficient practice of those skills.
Cost for the 3/4 hours Intro class is $150+ ammo(250/400 rounds)
Fundamentals of Intuitive Defensive Shooting
The Fundamentals of IDS is a one day course that will expose the student to all the core principles
and fundamentals of the Intuitive Defensive Shooting Program.
Cost for the 1-day Fundamentals class (6/8 hours) is $250 + ammo (500/700 rounds)
Intuitive Defensive Shooting
The Intuitive Defensive Shooting Program is an Intuitive shooting program designed to help the student
be more Efficient with a defensive firearm in the context of a Dynamic Critical Incident.
This course is two full days of intense training, teaching and practice. The course will cover the
following topics:
· Fundamentals of Defensive Shooting & Intuitive Skill Development
· Combat Accuracy
· Lateral Motion
· The Balance of Speed & Precision
· The Critical Incident Reload
· Volume of Fire
· Realistic Training for Multiple Target Engagement
· Understanding the Body’s Natural Reactions during a Dynamic Critical Incident.
· The Skill Development Cycle
· One Handed & Weak Handed Shooting
· Non-Diagnostic Linear Malfunction Clearing
· Shooting in Motion (When, How & Why)
The Intuitive Defensive Shooting Course is not designed to make you the best shooter you can be on
the range, rather its goal is to help you quickly develop fundamental skills that you can apply in a
worst case scenario defensive shooting situation.
IDS is based on years of constantly evolving information about how the body works and what really
happens during Dynamic Critical Incidents and has been heavily influenced by the diverse group of
instructors that are certified to teach it and the thousands of students who have been through
courses all around the world. The program features a variety of specialty drills and training
methods that the student will be able to utilize in the their own practice after the course in order to
continue to develop their abilities.
Cost for the 2-day IDS class (14-16 hours total) is $450 + ammo (800/1000 rounds)
Advanced Pistol Handling
The Advanced Pistol Handling course is designed to expand the circumstances and conditions under
which a student can apply the skills developed in the Intuitive Defensive Shooting Course. This course
will cover:
Non-Diagnostic Linear Malfunction Drills
One handed & Weak Handed Reloads
One Handed & Weak Handed Malfunction Drills
Presentation from the holster in 360 degrees
Unorthodox Shooting Positions (grounded, seated)
Shooting Around Cover
Unreasonable Distance Shooting
Volume of Fire
The Balance of Speed & Precision
The APH Course is designed as a follow on for students who have completed fundamental defensive
shooting training in the CFS Program and want to expand their skill sets and increase competency.
At the end of the course, the student will have been exposed to (and practiced) shooting positions
from all plausible angles while standing, seated, kneeling, prone or supine as well as properly
shooting around cover in order to maximize its protective value. Students will also train one handed
firearm handling, reloading and malfunction clearing. Unlike the IDS Program, in APH students will
be forced to deal with a variety of malfunctions in a way that is congruent with the conditions of an
dynamic critical incident.
The APH course is an intense physically and mentally challenging course that will take any students
confidence and ability to defend themselves with a gun to a higher level.
Cost for the 1-day APH class (8 hours) is $300 + ammo (300/400 rounds).
Cost for the 2-day APH class (14-16 hours total) is $500 + ammo (600/800 rounds)
Intuitive Defensive Carbine-1 day
Intuitive Defensive Carbine Course is designed to expose students to an efficient method of defending
themselves with a semi-automatic rifle during a dynamic critical incident. All of the principles and
fundamentals of the Intuitive Defensive Shooting program are applied to the carbine and the following
topics are covered:
Four Points of Contact with a rifle and Intuitive Shooting Fundamentals
The Balance of Speed & Precision with a carbine
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Aiming Methods
Combat Accuracy
Volume of Fire
Critical Incident Reloads & Efficient Carbine Handling
Transitioning to a Pistol
Counter Ambush Response with a Slung Rifle
Shooting while Standing, Squatting, Kneeling & Seated
Shooting around Cover & in Unorthodox Shooting Positions
Fundamental Carbine Malfunction Clearing
The IDS Carbine Program is physically challenging course with a lot of activity and high round count. This
program is often offered as a one day add on to a Intuitive Defensive Shooting Course, but is also
available as a two day stand alone course.
Cost for the 1-day IDS Carbine class (8 hours) is $300 + ammo (500/600 rounds rifle. 50/100 rounds handgun).
Cost for the 2-day IDS Carbine class (14-16 hours total) is $450 + ammo (800/1000 rounds rifle. 100 rounds handgun )
Intuitive Defensive Shooting and Advanced Pistol Handling
This 3 day program combines the curriculum of the Intuitive Defensive Shooting Course with much of the
Two Day Advanced Pistol Handling Program into one 1500 rounds course. In addition to exploring the
principles and fundamentals of the Intuitive Defensive Shooting Program and numerous drills to help students
develop a better understanding of the Balance between Speed & Precision, this course will cover
the techniques of 360 degree presentation from the holster, one handed (strong & weak) weapons
handling, unorthodox shooting positions and much more. This course can be taught at any square
range and will also expose students to making the most out of any range session to keep tactical
pistol training in context!
Cost for the 3-day IDS / APH class (14-16 hours total) is $750+ ammo (1000/1500 rounds).