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Edged-Weapon Self-Defense System Developed by Michael D. JanichAn
Edged-Weapon Self-Defense System Developed by Michael D. JanichAt the 2008 and 2009 Martial Blade Camp events in Estes Park, Colorado, MBC founder Michael Janich was proud to recognize the first Certified Instructors of Martial Blade Concepts. All seven of these talented individuals had previously distinguished themselves by earning Certificates of Proficiency and Associate Instructor ranking after passing a grueling series of skills tests. They then re-validated their physical skills by going through the testing process a second time. More importantly, they clearly demonstrated their skills as instructors by taking the lead in selected segments of the camps’ instructional programs and responding to a demanding session of verbal testing and on-demand skill demonstration.
All participants in the testing performed exceptionally well and displayed both outstanding skills and an in-depth intellectual understanding of the MBC system. As founder of the system, I am proud to recognize the following individuals as instructors of Martial Blade Concepts:
I am also honored to recognize the following Affiliate Instructors of MBC. These individuals—already talented instructors of other martial disciplines—have demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the MBC system and have earned my trust. I recommend them without reservation as instructors and sources of authentic instruction and guidance in the MBC system.
Contact information for MBC Instructors, Associate Instructors and Affiliate Instructors is included on the Contact page of this web site. Additional information regarding the requirements of the MBC Instructor Certification Program is provided below.
In November 2009, MBC founder and lead instructor Michael Janich conducted a special seminar for Gabe Suarez, renowned trainer and founder of Suarez International (SI), and a select group of his certified instructors. The goal of this training was to provide the SI instructor staff with targeted instruction in the MBC “Focus” program—a curriculum that focuses on the critical skills of the MBC standard-grip curriculum, selected other skills, and the MBC teaching methodology. At the conclusion of the training, Janich recognized all the SI instructors as “Authorized Trainers” in the MBC curriculum.
As experienced SI instructors in combat shooting and other disciplines, the SI cadre already possessed exceptional ability as trainers and educators. By teaching them a focused skill set in the critical skills of the MBC system—as well as the instructional methods to most effectively share that knowledge with other students—MBC and SI were able to create a synergistic partnership that enables SI instructors to share MBC with a much broader student audience.
For more information on training opportunities with Suarez International, please visit: www.suarezinternational.com.
One of the unique aspects of MBC is its emphasis on proper teaching methods and progressive skill development. In fact, I have spent as much time and effort developing my teaching methodology as I have developing the MBC curriculum itself. To ensure that the benefits of this teaching methodology are maintained, MBC instructors will be required to not only be technically proficient at the skills of the system, they will be trained as teachers. If an expert practitioner cannot develop the skills to teach, he or she will not be certified as an instructor. Also, since physical skills and teaching skills are both perishable and the MBC system continues to evolve, annual recertification will be required in order to maintain active instructor status and affiliation with the MBC system.
The levels of instructorship in MBC are as follows:
Study Group Leader – An MBC-trained practitioner who has developed a skill set that is adequate to supervise MBC training events involving other students.
Authorized Trainer – An established instructor of a reality-based martial art or other tactical discipline who is specifically trained in an abridged “focus” subset of the MBC or CBC curriculum. He/she is also trained in the most efficient instructional methodology to share that knowledge with others and authorized to teach that specific skill set with due credit to the MBC curriculum. To date, only selected instructors of Suarez International and selected members of the Canadian Law Enforcement community have been so authorized.
Affiliate Instructor – An accomplished student of MBC who has trained directly with me and displayed the skills, understanding, and character to earn my recommendation as a source of training. Affiliate Instructors are typically already certified instructors of other martial arts systems and therefore have teaching experience. At their discretion, they may include as much or as little of the MBC curriculum as they want in their teaching; however, they remain a resource for accurate, authentic inquiries regarding the MBC system.
Associate Instructor – An MBC practitioner who has successfully tested for proficiency in the system (the equivalent of earning a black belt in a traditional style) and displayed the knowledge, understanding, and ability to teach the MBC system faithfully and accurately. Although these instructors are not required to restrict their teaching to the MBC methodology, in most cases, they elect to present the system in its original form without significant deviation.
Certified Instructor – An Associate Instructor who as completed the Instructor Training portion of the MBC curriculum and thoroughly mastered both the physical skills and teaching methodology of the system. Certified Instructors should, upon request, be willing to provide instruction in the core MBC system without significant variation.