Foundation Instructor Trainer® INTERMEDIATE (FIT2)

4-Day Course – The Foundation Instructor Trainer, level 2, intermediate course was developed to build on the knowledge base of existing use of force instructors and is open to students within a strict limit of 3 years from the date of their most recent Foundation Instructor Trainer (FIT)  certification course.

This course is Minnesota POST Accredited for 28 POST Credits.

Attending officers will be certified in baton, spray irritant, and handcuffing, as well as soft empty hand techniques. We have expanded our comprehensive system of modern training methodologies and fundamental, easy to learn techniques. Officers attending this course will be refreshed on the most proven, essential, and innovative procedures for arrest and control. Additionally, this curriculum has been significantly expanded to include techniques beyond what is covered in the original FIT course.

During this training, officers will further enhance proficiency in the application of effective force and improve their abilities to react to all levels of subject resistance. This training will provide considerations for all typical force option tools to include Taser, ASP baton, and less lethal force platforms. The core elements taught in this course such as leverage, body position, and timing are compatible with all other defensive tactics and use of force related systems.

This course will also focus on improving effective communicators, trainers and mentors of law enforcement professionals. This program maximizes information transfer from the classroom to real world application for trainers and the professionals they teach. Finally, this course will broaden the student’s understanding of technique and use of force training curriculum to better serve individual and organizational needs.

FIT2 Course Outline

Day 1 – Review, Refresh & Advanced Control Concepts

Reconnecting instructors with core STORM principles while expanding control options.

  • Course orientation, agency implementation discussion, and future training goals
  • FIT 1 technique review and updates
  • New drilling ideas for fundamental warm-ups and movements
  • Review of the STORM teaching formula with instructor feedback
  • Policy, video review, and use-of-force discussion

Outcome: Instructors refresh key FIT skills, build new drills, and evaluate how they have implemented training at their agencies, and begin building more advanced control options.

Day 2 – Tool Integration, Weapon Retention & Clinch Responses

Connecting empty-hand control to duty gear, intermediate tools, and close-quarter defensive tactics.

  • Video review and discussion of real-world control encounters
  • Clinch fundamentals, review and build from FIT 1
  • New ground techniques – position improvements and control concepts
  • Student teach-backs
  • Weapon retention in and out of the holster, review and build from FIT 1
  • Intermediate tool integration through realistic resistance-based scenarios
  • Standing and ground headlock defense

Outcome: Participants improve their ability to integrate tools, retain weapons, teach under observation, and respond to close-quarter resistance.

Day 3 – Edged Weapons, Teach-Backs & Ground Movement

Developing instructor ability through advanced defensive tactics, student-led teaching, and pressure-tested movement.

  • Training support review and instructor development discussion
  • Video analysis of force encounters involving weapons
  • Student-led safety checks and warmups with weapon-aware movement
  • Knife defense concepts, and edged weapon response discussion
  • Review of new FIT2 techniques from standing and ground positions
  • Prone hand recovery, arm pulls, and transitions into two-officer takedowns
  • Student teach-backs and live 3drills

Outcome: Instructors build confidence teaching more complex defensive tactics while improving their own ability to move, control, and recover under pressure.

Day 4 – Instructor Validation, Flow Drills & Scenario Application

Pressure testing the week’s material and preparing instructors to bring the training back to their agencies.

  • Group feedback
  • Scenario integration and discussion
  • Integrated flow drills combining takedowns, ground control, handcuffing, and recovery
  • Strike defense, edged weapon defense, and ground weapon retention integration
  • Pummeling response techniques, wall-pin takedowns, and live wall-pin drills
  • Course evaluation and closing

Outcome: Graduates leave with expanded tactics, stronger teaching ability, and practical drills they can bring back to their agency training programs.

Course Objectives

  • Course objectives include but are not limited to:
    • Knife defense strategies and techniques
    • Enhance existing instructor communication abilities and methods
    • Appropriately teach others to react to an assaultive subject at close quarters
    • Improve skills in handcuffing and controlling resistant subjects
    • Learn alternative methods for control and escape from resistant subjects
    • Incorporate force tools and how to transition to the most reasonable force options
    • Enhance your organization’s existing training through student-focused, adult learning principles

What to Bring

  • BDU style pants
  • Duty belt/duty vest
  • Training weapon

Featured Instructors

Tom Menton and Chad Malmberg

Testimonials

“Better instructors than I’ve seen anywhere.”
Dan Swanson, Rochester Police Department SWAT
“I would and do highly recommend STORM training as in-service use of force training for any and all departments.”
Anthony Petrie, Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office
“It’s a must attend course. Never been to an actual practical training that you will use the next shift potentially.”
Dylan Bebeau, City of Anoka Police Department
“If you have no martial arts experience and want to improve both your techniques and tactics, this course is one of the best for the job.”
Peter Gaffney, University of Minnesota Police Department
“That it makes you much more comfortable using these force options on suspects instead of relying on tools.”
Logan Welter, Mendota Heights Police Department
“Instructors. Good dudes that have used this on the street and want to change the face of UOF for agencies for the better. Not just the pay out. They care and have done the movements themselves.”
Jesse Drown, Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office

Testimonials

“Best course I have attended since I can remember.”
“I feel like this course gave me the skills to be confident in not just making contact, but confident
in controlling a subject.  The teaching model is also very simple to remember.  Great job guys!”

-James Comings, Minnetonka Police Department SWAT

“Better instructors than I’ve seen anywhere.”
“Great presentation skills.  Made the course interesting and fun.  Very realistic course material.”
“Very usable techniques!”

-Dan Swanson, Rochester Police Department SWAT

“Top level instructors.  Highly recommended, here to help you.  What I liked most about the
course overall was the atmosphere, learning how to teach, and the realistic tactics.”

-Tyler Martin, Washington County Sheriff's Office SWAT

“The instructors were very approachable, knowledgeable, and friendly.”
“What I liked most about the training was that most things use major motor functions and have minimal moves.”

-Andy Trupe, Champlin Police Department
“The instructors were excellent, superior to other trainings.”
“Every technique I learned can be used on the street with high success.”
-Dustin Fleck, New Ulm Police Department

Interested?

Join Us Today!

Are you ready to train with an elite team of experts and improve all aspects of your critical response and action?

Are you ready to train with an elite team of experts and improve all aspects of your critical response and action?