I took 3 classes with them last year, top freakin’ notch. I took the Flashlight Combatives class, Intro to Force on Force, and Dynamic Force on Force Scenarios.
The prices are very reasonable and the training is great.
Here’s a link to the site: http://www.mindsetlab.com
If anyone’s interested, I’ll copy over the AARs I wrote for the classes I took late last year.
AAR’s would certainly be nice. I’m moving this thread into the site’s AAR section.
Mindset Lab: 3 Course After Action Review
Some time ago I became aware of a new training opportunity in the Indianapolis area. Shay VanVlyman, former president and instructor at Tactical Response, had started doing training classes locally under the moniker Mindset Lab. He is teaching force on force and low-light techniques, for the most part. So far he has no live-fire classes on his roster.
So far I have taken 3 classes with him: Flashlight Combatives, Intro to Force on Force, and Dynamic Force on Force Scenarios.
For a little background, I took a weekend class at Front Sight back in 2006. It was a great time and taught me basic marksmanship. It is square range training and very little is applicable to defending your life. The only thing I REALLY took away from the class is marksmanship skills. Don’t get me wrong, these are very important. However, in the scheme of things, shooting well is only a small piece of the self-defense puzzle. They teach a couple things I have serious issues with, but we won’t get into that here.
In spring of 2007, I took a 2 day MP5 Operator’s Course. The class was taught by Tom Dresner, former director of HK’s now defunct training division. HK was on the cutting edge of training back in the day, and the training division taught and perfected many of the modern submachine gun and tactical rifle techniques that are still in use today. Tom now does private classes for groups of students around the nation. We were taught the proper use of stances, movement, trigger control on an automatic weapon, weapon transitions, and many other things. If you ever have the opportunity to take the class, I’d highly recommend it. Tom can normally provide loaner guns, so do not let the lack of a capable SMG stop you.
Onto the meat of this post:
Course 1: Flashlight Combatives
I didn’t really know what to expect when I signed up for the course. This was the first time I had worked with this particular instructor. I knew going into it there would be no shooting, and very little gun work.
We started out with a meet and greet and a comprehensive safety briefing. We had a long lecture on defensive mindset. We spoke at great length about Jeff Cooper’s philosophies regarding defensive mindset and his infamous ‘color codes’ among other things.
We then talked about the use of the high intensity flashlight as a defensive tool and potential deterrent. One of the best things about the flashlight is that it will not necessarily escalate the force continuum like a knife or gun will. Most people see flashlights, especially hand held lights, as a benign object. Pulling a flashlight and shining it in someone’s face will not bite you in the ass in court. The police will not respond with guns drawn to a man with a flashlight call.
We then started working on light technique. We went through a few holds and Shay explained why he advocated the ‘neck hold.’
This hold keeps the flashlight in retention and provides light at a decent angle relative to your eyes. It connects the light to your head, in that when you turn your head to look somewhere, the light will follow. It also pre-loads a strike, allowing you to come out or down with the light as needed. Your hands are up in the hold to aid in hand-to-hand defense. Your other hand is also free for knife, gun, or unarmed combative use.
We started working on strikes shortly after. We practiced strikes with hands, basic kicks, a clinch position, and some other techniques. I won’t go into this too much, as not to take anything away from the class. All attacks were solid, quick, and simple.
Soon we were talking about low light target identification and search techniques including sweeping the light in quick on/off beams instead of holding it on like a beacon. We went over movement while searching as well.
Next, we had a lecture and discussion on types of high intensity lights, and the benefits and drawbacks. We went over a wide variety of models from Surefire, Pelican, and other brands.
Finally, we went over light use with a weapon. We discussed different ways to utilize handheld lights with both pistols and long arms.
Overall, I found the class very interesting. It gave me some things to think about in regards to options for self defense. There are many places where you cannot carry a gun or knife, but you can tote a flashlight. A light is a very unassuming tool that can be used to great effect on an adversary. Flashlight training isn’t sexy like live-fire training is. You’re not learning high speed low drag stuff. What you are learning is how to take care of yourself in the real world.
Course 2: Intro to Force on Force
This was the first force on force class I had taken. It was truly an eye opening experience.
The meat of the class is lecture. After introducing ourselves, we went into a safety briefing. We then went into a long lecture about defensive mindset. We then broke for lunch.
After lunch, we started in on basic gun handling. We learned Shay’s preferred draw stroke.
Step one: Pull cover garment and grip the pistol in a fighting grip. Your non-dominant hand should be placed against your sternum or above and held there.
Step two: Draw pistol straight out of the holster, and bring it up to armpit height, canting elbow and pointing the muzzle of the gun at about 45 degrees:
The reason your muzzle is pointed down is to facilitate movement of your non-dominant hand. With the muzzle in this position, you’ll be shooting into the attacker’s abdomen or lower. This allows your non-dominant hand to work high on the attacker, holding him, defending yourself, striking, etc.
Step three: Bring the hands together at your chest completing your two handed grip. Gun should be pointing at your target.
Step four: Bring the arms to full extension and acquire a sight picture.
I found this drawstroke very efficient and adaptable. It works for varying levels of distance to your adversary. If he’s up in your face, position 2 is great. You can work with your non-dominant hand up high, the gun is held in pretty decent retention, and your rounds are headed toward the ground. This last part is useful in that when fighting that closely, you won’t be picking up a sight picture. Therefore, any innocents in the background of the fight are in less danger of taking a round. As distance is gained to the attacker, you can move to position 3 and 4. As distance is closed, you can move backward through the steps.
We then discussed something I didn’t expect to in a firearms training class: 911 calls. Most people have never practiced and went over something as simple as a 911 call. However, after any defensive shooting, you will likely be calling in emergency service.
Next, we traded in our blue guns for Glock 19s modified for UTM use.
We did some basic work with these such as drawing from concealment on a live attacker and firing. I won’t get into much detail, as I don’t want to spoil the class for anyone interested in taking it.
One thing I would like to mention is the absolute insistence on safety in the class. When we begin to work with blue or UTM guns, we disarm ourselves of any and all live weapons including guns and knives. We place the weapons in a locked room that only Shay has the key to. Before entering the training area, we are required to be frisked and searched twice by two different people. A safe environment is a must for this type of training. I felt Shay did what he could to ensure this.
All of this leads up to the end of the day, where we underwent a single scenario to test our training. I will not be discussing the scenario; however, I can say it was an eye opening experience. I experienced everything I’ve been told I would in a gun fight, including tunnel vision and time distortion. I made some pretty major errors I regret, but training is the place to make your mistakes so that you can learn from them.
Course 3: Dynamic Force on Force Scenarios
Unfortunately, I can’t talk much about this course. After an introduction period and safety briefing, we immediately started in on the scenarios. We did a total of 5 that day including both shooting and non-shooting. There were a few that you would never expect, at least I wouldn’t have.
Truly an eye opening experience and one that makes me want to further my training.
All in all, I think Shay runs a truly top notch training company. I learned much about myself, as well as new techniques, in all of his classes. Not only did I learn new things, I also learned what old things I need to work on to improve myself. I realize this sounds cliché, but I feel as if I have grown as a person. I feel that I am better able to take care of myself after these classes.
Please check out Mindset Lab. I sincerely believe you will not regret taking a class with them.
I’d like to thank Shay for running a top notch school, Joe for lighting me up on many occasions as well as opening my eyes, and Andy for doing the same as well as lending his warehouse to us for the 3 days.