We are Houston's Best and # 1 Reality Based Martial Arts Facility,

Houston's Reality-Based Martial Arts training is based on real-world techniques of combat and personal safety; training that you can use in your everyday life. While some martial arts programs teach techniques that would rarely be encountered or used in real life situations, our martial arts programs at D.G.C. are street-wise and completely reality based. Our programs are based on successfully integrating numerous styles of martial arts into one cohesive system. This system has proven very successful in defending oneself against single and multiple attackers, both armed and unarmed. This system is used by navy SEAL team 6 and numerous law enforcement and military forces around the WORLD!!

Throughout this industry, there are many variations and terms for "Reality Based" systems. These are the variations, terms, and definitions as we have come to understand them, and we train them all:

• Reality Based Self Defense (RBSD) - Self defense training based on real life situations such as street fights, attacks, or any other real life altercation where one may be physically threatened. The techniques are not modified for sport competition, there are no rules, and no forbidden techniques. Most of the techniques are designed for maximum impact with minimal training in situations where the defender may be threatened by serious harm or loss of life.
  
  
• Reality Martial Arts / Reality Based Martial Arts (RMA / RBMA) - The same as RBSD but many Martial Arts traditions are upheld such as "dojo ettiquette", ranking systems, or other historical/cultural aspects of the art(s) from which the system has evolved from. RBMA may also introduce more "control" techniques than RBSD, giving the defender the ability to choose the level of force applied to the attacker. This system works well for Law Enforcement Officers that have legal restrictions or for individuals that may be involved in a skurmish where they do not wish to harm the attacker such as a family member or friend.
  
  
• Reality Based Combatives / Military Combatives / Close Quarter Combatives (CQC) - The same as RBSD and RMA/RBMA but geared more towards Law Enforcement or Military Professionals. More attention is given to techniques for legally restricted officers and "down to business" techniques for Military Professionals in live combat areas.
  

The "Tao of D.G.C.F.S." - Our Reality Based Training Philosophies

1. Rules Go Out The Window
   We established D.G.C. to help both the every day individual, as well as the military and law enforcement professional, with a practical and effective martial art and self defense system. D.G.C.F.S. is not a martial art as known in the Time-Honored "TRADTIONAL" way like Tae-Kwon-Do , Kung-Fu, etc. D.G.C.F.S. teaches a fighting system which emphases instinctive movements, practical techniques, and realistic training scenarios (no forms). We train to be effective in the street environment. As Martial Artists, some of us may have been trained to compete within the rules of competition. These rules, when faced on the STREET with a physical altercation, go straight out the window and are replaced by self-preservation and protecting our loved ones. D.G.C. does not teach forms or katas. D.G.C. students begin each lesson with the understanding that anyone can be a "victim or prey"!!
   
   During each class, regardless of what the training curriculum is for the day, there is an understanding that any Instructor may, at any time, "ATTACK THE STUDENT!!" (NOTE: At all times during your training, you have the option of training as intense or as careful as you wish. If you are uncomfortable with a high level of intensity to begin with, this will be repected. If you wish to train with more intensity, you will be matched with those that wish to do the same.) This type of training heightens the awareness of the student. The "ATTACKS" are done at different levels depending on the student's current level in training. Everything done in class is to teach the student "How to defend him or herself"! Once the instructor starts one of these attacks, the student must quickly again "CONTROL" of the situation and escape from the attacker OR escape by attacking. If the student has difficulty reacting to the attack the instructor, we will then work with the student and demonstrate how to escape from the type of attack or counter attack. This type of repetitive practice gives the student the ability to become a "ACTION/REACTION FIGHTER"
   
   "Bridging the Gap between the Citizen, the Military, the Police and the Martial Artist." - Hock's Motto
   
   
2. "You fight the way you train... and you train the way you fight."
   Reality Based and Environmental Training is what D.G.C. is all about !! The techniques were developed to be simple and extremely effective. They are based on your gross motor movements that the human body naturally reverts to in a panic induced state, such as fighting for your life. These are known as "Self-Preservation Skills." Many of these skills are so effective and dangerous to an attacker they have been outlawed by full-contact combative sports like UFC. Due to their integration with your gross motor skills, you will master them in no time and will be able to walk with confidence. There are no flashy or fancy movements and all techniques are quick and to the point!
   
   We also do not "spar" in the traditional sense. At D.G.C. Typical sparring usually involves putting two students of relatively equal skill up against one another where they pick there shots and engage in a strategic, but yet controlled, match. There are rules in place and each opponent uses controlled strikes. This does not train the body nor the mind in the same duress and/or intenstiy that one would encounter on the street or on the battlefield. Without training the mind properly, the body will not react the way it was trained when fear sets in and adrenaline surges through the body. Not even UFC style MMA cage fighting prepares you for this. Even thought the natural "nervousness" of combative competition may set in, the athletes are not afraid for their lives, they are protected by rules, and there is a referee there to moderate and protect the fighters. This is not a theory, it is a proven physiological fact. At DGC, we've replaced traditional sparring with reality based, fight/combat scenario training we call A.R.C. (Action Reaction Continuum), which is listed in our programs below. This system is designed to force students to react and fight in the same reactive and stress induced way just as they would be in real life and not the safety of the studio or a sporting event. Broken rhythm, "non choreographed" movement, and real-time action is essential for reality based training!
   
   
   
3. We train in all four fanges of combat - KICKING, BOXING, TRAPPING and GRAPPLING
   D.G.C.F.S. teaches the FOUR RANGES of combat as well as the FOUR WEAPONS of combat. These weapons, or a varition of these weapons, are the most prevalent in modern world and are what you are most likely to encounter in todays societies. We not only train how to defend against the weapons, but how to use them as well so that you know how to use it in the event you disarm your attacker. Otherwise, that weapon becomes a liability to you.
   
   The Four Weapons of Combat:
   
   

   • BODY - This relates to all forms of unarmed hand-to-hand combat.
     
     
   • STICK - All forms of sticks and staffs or anything that may resemble these. (Escrima stick, hanbo, broom stick, pool cue, crowbar, baseball bat, axe handle, plunger handle, etc.)
     
     
   • KNIFE - All forms of edged weapons. (Kitchen knives, daggers, folders, pocket knives, broken glass, jagged metal, hunting knives, combat/tactical knives, etc.)
     
     
   • GUN - All forms of handguns, rifles, and assult rifles and sub-machine guns.

   Some examples of how you will use these weapons in the FOUR RANGES OF COMBAT are: “Hand vs. Hand” “Hand vs. Knife” “Hand vs. Stick” “Hand vs. Gun Threats” gun, rifle. As well as counter training, such as knife counter gun , gun counter gun , ect...
   

   The Four Ranges of Combat:
   

   • KICKING RANGE - Almost all altercations start at a distance. We consider this kicking range or probing. In this range, you can deliver strong, powerful kicks just as in TAE-KWON-DO, MUAY THAI, SAVATE, PANANJAKMAN ect... In this range, your kicks can go low-line, which means kicks to the legs, or high-line, which means rib high or head high. Our methods of kicking are very unique. Most Martial Arts teach you to kick only in the stand up but we do more than that. If you are not much for kicking, then the probing kicks are for you!! Meaning, your kicks will be low to the legs but just to set you up for your hands. From here, you transition to BOXING RANGE.
     
     
   • BOXING RANGE - In this range, you will use boxing techniques to facilitate close quarter combat such as JABS, HOOKS ,UPPER CUTS, and CROSSES. You can also use MUAY THAI ELBOW STRIKES & KNEE STRIKES, as well destruction techniques to the fist and body, including head butts, which brings us to the TRAPPING RANGE.
     
     
   • TRAPPING RANGE - In this range of combat, you will facilitate JEET KUNE DO, HUBUD, and KALI trapping as well as HEAD BUTTS, MUAY THAI ELBOW STRIKES & KNEE STRIKES to the thigh or ribs. All of these techniques are very quick and effective. In CLOSE QUARTER COMBAT a lot of people think all you can do is PUNCH!! BOY ARE THEY WRONG!! If you have been paying attention, you would have noticed the TRANSITION from one range to the next. How fluid these changes are become vitally IMPORTANT. In the trapping range, the transition to AIKIDO, JUDO, and CHINESE FAST WRESTLING is very smooth. The throws and locks are from the stand up position. You do not have to go to the ground, which brings us to the GRAPPLING RANGE.
     
     
   • GRAPPLING RANGE - D.G.C.F.S. GROUND SURVIVAL - The ground is the last place you want to find yourself in a street fight, because you compromise mobility. However, should you end up there, D.G.C.F.S. Ground Survival teaches you how to deal with a ground attack. Remember, "The ground is not your friend.” D.G.C.F.S. will show how to properly strike and kick from the ground as well as use B.J.J. (Brazillian Jui-Jitsu), SAMBO, CHINESE FAST WRESTLING, JUDO, and AIKIDO as well as techniques on how to protect against weapons attacks. (Weapons can be incorporated at all 4 ranges of combat.)
     

"PROOF; REALITY BASED IS THE ANSWER"

To fully understand this statement I just made, you have to understand what actually happens to your body during a true combative or life-or-death situation. Depending on your physical fitness level, your heart typically beats at 60-80 beats per minute. This is known as a resting heart rate and everything in your sympathetic nervous system is performing normally. However, when frightened, your heart rate jumps to 115 beats per minute, sometimes more, and your fine motor skills deteriorate. The ability to put a key in a car door or even tie your shoes becomes increasingly difficult. Why? You panic. Interestingly enough, this 115 to 145 beats per minute is the optimal survival and combat performance level for complex motor skills, visual reaction time, and cognitive thinking. Complex motor skills that are multi-muscle involved movements as found in all martial arts. Reverse punch, front kick, wrist lock, arm bar, hip throw, etc. This is the highest heart rate of most professional athletes and fighters. They are able to stay at this rate because they know that no one is trying to kill them. If you are able to train your body to respond appropriately to fear-induced stress under competitive conditions, you will be better able to survive during battle. At 145 beats per minute, your complex motor skills immediately begin to deteriorate and at 175, you can't think straight, you lose peripheral vision, your hearing excludes everything not in that tunnel vision, and vasoconstriction sets in as a natural way to reduce bleeding from any wounds you're about to suffer.  Finally, above 175 is where irrational fight or flight sets in, as well as natural submissive behavior, also known as combat freezing.

Dark Gift Combat will train you to handle almost any situation!

NOW, does your Martial Art school train you in that way!? This just the tip of what we teach and there is so much more to say. Come and try a class... you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

- Mr. Traylor

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