Tom Sotis has trained consistently in self-defense for more than 50 years, spent 20 years working in conflict-oriented professions, and has taught approximately 1,500 seminars in 25 countries over the past 30 years. His experience dealing with violence—both on the streets and in dangerous environments abroad—has driven his lifelong pursuit of practical, functional methods of self-defense.

The objective of this program is to help you achieve the best possible outcome when confronted by violence. That means developing responses that are tactically sound, legally defensible, and ethically appropriate—and developing the ability to act when it matters.

The program addresses three phases of self-defense: Preparation, Defense, and Post-Incident.

Preparation includes considerations for carrying and using a knife for self-defense, use of force, de-escalation, managing challengers and criminal confrontations, knife selection, drawing and deployment, handling, and striking with both forward and reverse holds.

Defense addresses accessing and using the knife while under attack, including unarmed assaults, knife attacks, and grab-and-stab attacks, as well as defensive knife use in both forward and reverse holds.

Post-Incident addresses what to do immediately following a defensive encounter and important considerations if you are arrested after defending yourself.

The knife is a tool. The objective is not knife fighting—it is surviving violence and protecting yourself within the circumstances you face.

Welcome to the program.