Training doesn’t start until the mouth stops.

If we were training to be crisis negotiators, we’d need to talk to each other. A lot. All the time, in fact, to keep that line of communication open so it doesn’t collapse, go dead, and sink into the opposite of communication, destruction. If you can keep the guy talking, you’re postponing the killing.

But that’s not what we’re training for. We’re training for that unthinkable moment when communication and empathy break down and there’s no getting it back. We’re training for what to do when the guy hangs up and starts shooting.

There are only three options in that moment:

1. Escape,
2. Be lucky, or
3. Act to secure your own survival.

Escape is great if you can get it — and a no-brainer, really — but it’s not always an option. If he’s locked the doors (Virginia Tech) or you’re on an airplane (911), there is, literally, no escape.

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“I travel a lot in my work as a marketing consultant. Some of our multi national clients have offices in countries that aren’t on “the safest places to visit” list. Couple that with having to fly almost every international airline several times a year and my chances of becoming a victim of Anti-American sentiment may be greater than the average person.

“I feel a lot better knowing that in a life threatening situation I’d be able to protect myself and a friend or loved one versus freeze in fear and helplessness. Tim Larkin has given me that training and, most importantly, the confidence to travel with more peace of mind.”

Walter Coddington,
Marketing Executive
New York, NY

“The timing of the course could not have been more perfect. I am a frequent traveler. Taking a trip is not what it used to be. Before September 11,2001 I did not think about actually flying. Now, when I board a plane my mind thinks of possible ill-fated scenarios that can occur while flying. What this course has given me is the confidence to actually know how to disable an attacker. Before the course I would just think of swinging at the head or stomach. Now, I can remain focused and achieve a result that can save not only my life but possible others as well. At the end of the day, I can only hope that I’ll never be in a position to use these techniques, but it’s nice to know I have the capability.”

Jonathan Fichman,
Business Executive
New York, NY

“This weekend course gave me a clear understanding of the principles involved in neutralizing an opponent. Unlike all the forms of self-defense and martial arts I’ve been exposed to, this program really identified the purpose of various moves and strikes. The concept of an opponent, regardless of size or weapons he might have, as a collection of vulnerable targets was very enlightening. I look forward to more learning and practice.”

Steven Bowen,
Advertising Executive Merkley, Newman, Harty & Partners
New York, NY

“I was fortunate to have undergone training just 2 days before the disaster on Sept 11… the training I had received would have taken over and served me, and my country, well. Unfortunately, in this day and age of violence, it is extremely important to learn how to protect yourself and your family. Since taking the course, I walk the streets more securely. I feel more confident in the privacy of my own home, knowing I would have a fighting chance should there be an intruder. I certainly avoid violent confrontation, but I have better options now, than before the course. Security, and the ability to provide it by myself, is an incredible gift that I have received as a result of my participation in the TFT Group seminar.

“It is my sincere hope that others find the benefits I have found and that no one ever needs to use these combat skills…”

Richard Schoor, MD
Port Washington, NY

“The course has instilled a quiet confidence in me. This confidence stems from Tim’s lessons, which have showed me that my brain is my most dangerous weapon, and this weapon is now armed with the knowledge of how best to deal with a wide range of violent scenarios. From knife attacks to crowd control situations to multiple assailant combat, Tim’s course really covers it all.

“Perhaps the biggest benefit of all, though, is that this quiet confidence enables me to feel much more comfortable in walking away from potentially inflammatory situations without having to prove my manhood.

“The real proof from my perspective is to consider how much better I would have handled a multiple assailant situation that I was involved in several years ago. In this instance, a street kid verbally assaulted my girlfriend and me. My first mistake was to engage in the dialogue at all. Tim’s teachings encourages you to walk away from all but the most imperative situations. My second mistake was not being aware that the kid had two friends lurking behind me. When they attacked, my boxing and wrestling skills were useless because they were designed to handle a one-on-one situation where rules apply. This was the street, though. There were no rules. I was fortunate. but I never forgot the incident, and how helpless I felt. I feel fortunate to have the experience of Tim’s class to educate me as to how to better handle these types of situations in the future.”

Joe Berkowitz,
Actuary New York Life Insurance
New York, NY

“One of the biggest benefits I received from the combat training course is the confidence that I now have in dealing with potentially violent encounters. Although we all hope to go through life avoiding such situations, it is almost inevitable that we will find ourselves involved in at least one such predicament. This is all the more clear in the wake of the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center, and the likelihood of additional attacks once the United States responds militarily.

“Tim’s course is intensive yet highly enjoyable, and the principles he teaches are easy to learn and remember. One can attain true confidence only by knowing that you are trained and prepared to deal with a particular situation. Tim has started to take me down this road. I have highly recommended the course to all of my family and friends, and look forward to participating in any follow-up training program.”

Scott Kapusta,
Attorney Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Brooklyn, NY

“TFT has nothing to do with being muscular. Instead it has everything to do with a sense of confidence and understanding that there are various target points on the body, and being able to access them is devastating… ”

Brad Kay,
Advertising Executive Merkley, Newman, Harty & Partners
New York City

“I found Tim’s knowledge especially practical and applicable in ways which I have never imagined previously. His style is efficient; it’s designed to achieve the maximal effect in the least amount of time. The most amazing aspect is how simple and easy it is to learn. Even though I’ve had training in the martial arts, I know that the techniques I learned during this one weekend seminar will be the ones I’ll actually use in a real-life conflict.”

Scott Pearlman,
Physician
Wilmington, DE

“All I can say is – why didn’t anyone tell me about you sooner? Most people waste countless years searching for the answer to the question, “How would I defend myself (and my family) in a life-or-death confrontation?” That question leads many down the wrong path — they go to the gym to get bigger and stronger… or, if that doesn’t make them feel more confident, they seek out a martial art or boxing… and if those studies don’t answer the question, they purchase handguns or buy attack dogs or get elaborate alarm systems… all in the name of self-protection.

“All of these pursuits are born out of self-doubt and fear that in a real ‘life-or-death’ confrontation — you wouldn’t be up to the ultimate challenge. What if the attacker had a knife or a gun? What if there was more than one attacker? The ‘what-if’ scenarios never end… and they are all born out of an innate fear of violence and death.

“Enter TFT… finally, a simple, no-nonsense, straightforward, down-to-earth approach on how to handle ‘lethal’ violence. It doesn’t require any special skills, athletic ability, or previous training — just a willingness to learn an unbeatable system based on taking advantage of the inherent weaknesses of the physical body. With this powerful information, you level the playing field… a highly trained military man or police officer is NO MORE proficient than an average everyday ‘joe’ who’s never trained a day in his life. And to think — you can give a person more ‘real world’ life-or-death fighting skills in one weekend than most people will get from training their entire lives.

“All I can say is thank you… thank you for giving me the quiet confidence to not feel threatened by ego-based confrontation… and to feel completely confident that I know EXACTLY what to do if I’m ever faced with the REAL threat of a lethal confrontation. Keep up the great work!!!!”

Brian Kay,
Business Owner
New Jersey