BASICS OF CONTACT
DISTANCE DEFENSE

BASICS OF CONTACT DISTANCE DEFENSE
2 DAY COURSE

There is no defensive firearm technique that will effectively protect an individual from a lunging or charging attack launched at conversational distance by one armed with an “contact weapon” (knife, tire-iron, broken bottle, screwdriver, baseball bat, etc.). Even skilled gun handlers are unable to draw and fire in the less-than-one-second it takes for an attacker to close from six or eight feet, and in any case even a mortally wounded assailant will still be able to close with his victim from that distance and inflict serious injury before he falls

To effectively cope with such an attack, even one armed with a handgun must have the ability to exert at least temporary control over the attacker in order to avoid him, subdue him, or deflect him, or otherwise buy the time necessary to bring a firearm to bear. There are practical and effective means to achieve such control in the opening seconds of a sudden, contact distance altercation.

This course is a two-day, first-level course covering the basic concepts, movement, and tactics that go into any successful defense in the opening moments of a violent, contact-distance assault. It is intended as an adjunct to firearms training and techniques for both law enforcement and private citizens. This is not a martial arts course and requires no martial arts background. Rather, it is a “blueprint” of a strategy people of average physical ability can use to avoid crippling injury long enough to gain control of a situation.

This program is based upon the system developed by Steve Tarani and the Operational Skills Group, combining familiar body movements with specialized principles. All course instructors have been trained by Mr. Tarani personally, and offer this course with his approval.

Five specific exercises are used to develop an understanding of the system.

Those who successfully complete the course will be able to:

Control distance in the event of a long range (6-8 feet), Close Range (contact distance) or Extreme Close Quarters (grappling distance) contact weapon attack.
Recognize the most common types of contact weapon attack, as well as advantages and disadvantages of common grips, stances and methods of contact weapon operation that are commonly used against an unsuspecting victim.
Demonstrate knowledge of how to gain advantageous body position in a contact weapon altercation.
Demonstrate knowledge of what is necessary to gain control of an attacker or suspect operating a contact weapon, in realistic contact weapon situations, at distances of less than eight feet.
Competently employ techniques of evasion, escape and control of an aggressor to defend themselves.
Confidently gain control of an aggressor via transition from one Contact Defense and Control technique to another, as the dynamic situation demands.
Quickly recognize whether a contact weapon attack is a lethal or less-than-lethal use-of-force situation.
Control the line of attack, and quickly and realistically protect center mass and other vital areas from fatal laceration, puncture or other impact damage, long enough to ward off the attack and counter.
Demonstrate an understanding of one’s legal rights and limitations when attacked at contact distance.

ENROLL IN COURSE

Cost

This course is not currently scheduled for 2025.
Course Format

Course format: Lectures (approximately 5 hrs.), and live-fire exercises (approximately 18 hrs). There will be objective skills tests throughout the course.
Instructor

Instructors: The Rangemaster is Peter Georgiades. Peter has 25+ years’ experience teaching firearms and defensive tactics. He has been certified to instruct by the NRA (rifle, pistol, shotgun, and personal protection), the State of Arizona (issued CCW Instructor Cert. No. 8769268), and by OSG as a contact distance defense instructor. Peter’s training as an instructor (as distinct from firearms training) includes the Gunsite Law Enforcement Carbine Instructor Cert. Course, Marksman's Enterprise 3-day instructor courses (carbine and pistol), and the LLC "Contact Weapons Defense Instructor" program. His most important training, however, has been working hundreds of hours directly under experienced, professional instructors. Other experienced range officers will assist. The instructors and staff have collectively accrued several thousand hours of formal training from experienced, professional firearms instructors.
Class Size

Class size: In order to maintain a close instructor-to-student ratio, enrollment in this course is limited to 12 students.
Prerequisites

Prerequisites: None. It is, however, expected students will have a basic familiarity with rifles. All participants must be 18 years of age. Proof of no criminal history is required. Holding a current Pennsylvania License to Carry Concealed or in a Motor Vehicle, or a license to practice a regulated profession which requires one not have any criminal history (such as a license to practice law or medicine, or a nursing license) will suffice.If those are not available, you can get a certificate of no criminal history from your local police department or Sheriff (the cost is under $20).The lead instructor is the final arbiter of whether the credentialing prerequisite has been satisfied.
Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements: Because this course is designed to assist YOU to plan and make decisions using the resources YOU actually have; we will work with you in whatever condition you are in. The elderly or one with a physical disability may not be able to assume one or more of the shooting positions we cover, or perform one or more of the exercises. That’s okay. This course is not designed for training ninjas. Just notify the Rangemaster of any particular disabilities you may have. If you cannot do it one way, we will find another way. We expect you to refrain from attempting any exercise that is beyond your physical capability.
Equipment Requirements

There is certain equipment which is REQUIRED in this course. One may not proceed without the following: · Ear protection and Eye protection. · Cap or hat with baseball-style bill. This is to prevent ejected brass from your or another shooter's rifle from falling between your eyewear and your eye, burning you. It is important gear. · Firearm, clean and zeroed. We do zero during the course, but zeroing before class saves time. · At least two magazines. We prefer you have three, in case one malfunctions. Either 20-round magazines or 30-round magazines will work fine in the course. Extended magazines or drum magazines are impractical. · Knee and elbow pads. The inexpensive kind worn by skateboarders, or pads worn by carpenters and carpet layers, are sufficient. · Magazine holster or pouch which is worn on the support side (“weak hand” side) of your belt. BDU pockets and M-16 ammo pouches will get you through, but will slow you down. · 750 Rounds of "Ball" Ammunition. Almost all shooting will be inside 50 yards, so there is no need for “match grade” ammunition, and its use would be a waste of money. By the same token, your investment of time and money in this course does justify the use of reasonably consistent factory ammunition. Different brands and loads of ammunition will significantly affect the “zero” of AR-15’s, so we recommend using one brand of ammunition throughout the course. No incendiary, tracer or armor-piercing ammunition is allowed. · A carry strap ("sling"). We run a “hot” range, and rifles must be slung unless they are racked, grounded, or in the shooter's hands on line. Any strap or sling which allows the rifle to be carried muzzle up or muzzle down is fine. No slings which hold the muzzle in a horizontal position while being carried are permitted. · A ground cloth, shooting mat or other cover (such as an old blanket), to cover the ground, upon which you will be periodically sitting or lying. · Sight-adjustment tool for iron sights on your particular rifle. (These are available at gun shows or mail order for between $7 and $25, depending upon the type.) There is other equipment that is not required, but which we believe will enhance your experience of the course. We therefore recommend you bring the following: · Optic or sight. Optics are optional - iron sights are fine. If you do use an optic, it should be of a low-power type (e.g., red-dot, or less than 4 X magnification). Higher power scopes will not work well. · Soft drinks or water. There is no water on the range itself, and the Club house is too far to run back and forth. No alcohol is to be consumed within eight hours of the start of any course session or during the course. · Lunch. Lunches and soft-drinks may be purchased at the Club, or you may pack your own. · Back-up rifle or complete bolt assembly. A second rifle is a good idea, if you own or can borrow one. Firearms do break, and we cannot stop the course to make repairs. If you do not have a second rifle, a complete bolt assembly will enable you to swap bolts in the AR-style rifles, as a 60 second repair to most malfunctions. · Something with which to take notes, binoculars, gloves, camera, sunscreen, folding chair.
Credentials

Credentials: Proof that you are 18 or older and have no criminal history is required. A current Pennsylvania License to Carry Concealed or in a Motor Vehicle is sufficient proof of no criminal history. A a license to practice a regulated profession which requires one not have any criminal history (such as a license to practice law or medicine, or a nursing license) will also suffice, as will law enforcement officer credentials. If those are not available, you can get a certificate of no criminal history from your local police department or your County Sheriff (the cost is under $20). The Rangemaster is the final arbiter of whether the credentialing prerequisite has been satisfied.
Certificate

Certificate: A certificate of completion is awarded to all who complete the course successfully. Because this course satisfies the continuing education requirement for NRA law enforcement instructor certification, if you are in that program and need the credits let us know and we will issue you a letter verifying your participation.
Next Session and Course Location:

The next session of this course will be held on June 28 - 30, 2024. The location will be the Greater Pittsburgh Gun CLub, 920 King Road, Bulger, PA 16109. This is located 25 minutes from downtown. Thier web site is www.shootgpgc.com.

This course is sponsored as a public service by the Pennsylvania Firearms Development Corporation, a non-profit, tax-exempt educational organization organized under Pennsylvania law.

“HAVING A GUN AND THINKING YOU ARE ARMED IS LIKE BUYING A PIANO AND THINKING YOU ARE A MUSICIAN”

Col. Jeff Cooper (U.S.M.C. Ret.)

BASICS OF CONTACT DISTANCE DEFENSE