Foundation Instructor Trainer

Foundation Instructor Trainer®

5-Day Course • 32 POST credits

This course is designed for both new and experienced use-of-force instructors, certifying them in our soft empty-hand system and teaching methods. Officers leave with essential skills that integrate seamlessly with tools such as expandable batons, spray irritants, and handcuffing techniques.

We have trained over 400 law enforcement, military, and security agencies and are the exclusive provider of defensive tactics training for the Minneapolis Police Department. Our curriculum was featured in a peer-reviewed study of more than 2,800 force incidents that found substantial reductions in force, injuries, and liability payouts.

Evidence-based results:

  • 37% reduction in the use of force
  • 86% reduction in officers using strikes
  • 62% reduction in the use of chemical irritants
  • 74% reduction in Taser deployments
  • 55% reduction in injuries to people being arrested
  • 40% reduction in injuries to officers

The strength of a defensive tactics program lies in both curriculum and instructors. Our system combines effective, easy-to-learn techniques with proven training methods. Officers of all skill levels enhance their ability to handle varying levels of resistance using principles of leverage, body positioning, and timing.

Modern learning that sticks: Traditional teaching methods often produce low retention. We structure training using current adult-learning principles to improve retention, instructor effectiveness, and real-world application.

FIT Course Outline

Day 1 – Foundations of Control & Learning

Core control systems and how people learn under stress.

  • Course orientation and STORM Training Group principles
  • Handcuffing under varying levels of resistance: mechanics, positioning, and leverage
  • Single-officer takedowns built for real-world encounters
  • The science of skill transfer and retention
  • Multiple-officer takedowns and role clarity
  • Pressure testing drills

Day 2 – Legal Context & Ground Control

Bridging tactics, law, and instructor responsibility.

  • State statutes, case law, and use-of-force decision making
  • Progressive skill building, communication, and integration
  • Adult-learning principles for skill transfer
  • Ground control concepts for dominant positioning
  • Debriefing real-world scenarios

Day 3 – Tool Integration & Instructor Development

Connecting empty-hand skills to intermediate weapons and instruction.

  • Intermediate weapons principles and transitions
  • Train-the-trainer methodology
  • Standing weapon-retention concepts and techniques
  • Clinch fighting and positional dominance in a weapons-based environment
  • Use-of-force report writing and documentation
  • Video analysis and feedback

Day 4 – Evidence-Based Training & Program Design

Building agency programs that stand up to scrutiny.

  • Review of peer-reviewed use-of-force research
  • Advanced instructor development concepts
  • Prone hand recovery techniques and concepts
  • Designing and scaling agency training programs
  • Wall-pin principles for environmental control

Day 5 – Validation & Performance Under Load

Proving competency and pressure-testing skills.

  • Final written examination
  • Ground weapon-retention principles
  • Live drills and pressure tests with full duty belts and equipment
  • Course evaluations and certification

Course Objectives

  • Enhance compliance through verbal de-escalation and soft empty-hand techniques
  • Respond effectively to close-quarter assaults
  • Develop skills in handcuffing and controlling resistant subjects
  • Perform single-officer and multiple-officer takedowns
  • Incorporate force tools and transition to the best options
  • Achieve proficiency with intermediate force weapons
  • Improve training programs using adult-learning principles

What to Bring

  • BDU-style pants
  • Duty belt or duty vest
  • Training weapon
  • Pen and notebook
  • Mouth guard
  • Optional: wrestling shoes and extra training shirt

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?