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Personal security classes, taught in layers.

Two courses for adults and teens 16 and older. Level 1 covers the whole approach, taught as three two-hour sessions or in one 6.5-hour day. Level 2 takes physical techniques further for Level 1 graduates.

View upcoming classes Compare Level 1 and Level 2
Students seated in the Strata training room listening as Vince Doxbeck talks at the front

Most of what keeps people safe happens before anything is physical.

Strata works forward from the moment you could first have noticed something was off: what you saw, what you could have avoided, what you could have said.

So class time goes to awareness, to the decisions that keep you out of a problem, and to the words and posture that settle a situation down, and to physical response: moving away, repositioning, body language and, when needed, practical techniques.

Self-defense vs. personal security training

How classes are taught

Each session mixes four ways of learning, with realistic encounters throughout.

Vince Doxbeck explaining a point to the class, hands mid-gesture
Lecture
The instructor explains each concept and why it matters.
Discussion
Students bring their own routines and questions, at home, at work and while traveling.
Demonstration
You see what a position, a boundary or a technique looks like before you try it.
Physical practice
You try it yourself, through realistic encounters, with the instructor watching and correcting.

The courses

SDS Level 1

$125 per student

Level 1 is where everyone starts. It covers critical skills in situational awareness, avoidance strategies, effective communication and physical response, from noticing that something is off to knowing what to do if avoidance and communication are no longer enough.

Participants experience realistic encounters as they develop the critical tools of personal protection. Classes are intentionally kept small, with a laid-back yet respectful atmosphere.

Length
Three two-hour sessions or one 6.5-hour day
Prerequisite
None
Format
Lecture, discussion, demonstration and physical practice

What it covers

  • Situational awareness
  • Avoidance strategies
  • Effective communication
  • The criminal mind
  • How to train the mind
  • Mental and physical preparation
  • Personal protection and the law
  • Introductory physical-response techniques
  • Realistic encounters and scenarios
See Level 1 dates Full SDS Level 1 details

SDS Level 2

$125 per student

Level 2 is for students who want to take their physical-response training further. It builds on the basics from Level 1 and explores the concepts that make practical self-defense effective.

It begins with a review of movement, blocking and striking, then progresses to effective counters against various acts of aggression, including strikes, grabs, and ground counters and escapes. If you enjoy a workout and getting physical, this class is for you.

Length
Three two-hour sessions
Prerequisite
Completion of SDS Level 1
Format
Demonstration and physical practice

What it covers

  • Review of movement, blocking and striking
  • Effective counters to strikes
  • Counters and escapes from grabs
  • Ground counters and escapes
Ask about Level 2 Full SDS Level 2 details

Before you register

Who the classes are for

In Vince’s words: “Adults in the local community who would like to take responsibility for their own personal protection and safety.” That includes:

  • Citizens who would prefer not to become a crime statistic
  • Husbands and wives who would like to protect their home and families
  • Those whose occupations can place them in harm’s way on occasion
  • Students who are away from home and unfamiliar with their new surroundings
  • Teens who have ever been put in an unhealthy or risky situation
  • Anyone who feels they could use some basic personal protection training

Adults and teens 16 and older. No background in martial arts, law enforcement or fitness is expected, and class sizes are intentionally kept small.

Physical expectations

Level 1 includes physical practice alongside awareness, avoidance and communication. Level 2 focuses on practical self-defense; if you enjoy a workout and getting physical, it is for you. Note any relevant physical limitations when you register.

What to expect in the room

Lecture, discussion, demonstration and physical practice, with realistic exercises and scenarios. The atmosphere is laid-back yet respectful.

Prerequisites

None for Level 1. Level 2 requires completion of Level 1. Level 1 is taught either as three two-hour sessions or in one 6.5-hour day; pick whichever fits your schedule. Level 2 is three two-hour sessions.

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Where we train

Public classes are held at the Angier Chamber of Commerce.

Want training for your own group? Through SDS On the Road, Strata will bring SDS to your church, studio, business or club, wherever there is a suitable space. Call for details.

Call (919) 389-7815Or send a message

Common questions

Who can take a Strata class?

Classes are designed for adults and teens 16 and older. No martial arts, law-enforcement or security background is needed.

How big are the classes?

Class sizes are intentionally kept small, with a laid-back yet respectful atmosphere, so everyone gets attention from the instructor.

Do I need to be in shape to take Level 1?

No particular fitness level is required for Level 1, which covers awareness, avoidance, communication and physical-response techniques. Level 2 focuses on practical self-defense: if you enjoy a workout and getting physical, it is for you.

How long is each class?

SDS Level 1 is taught either as 3 sessions of 2 hours on different days, or as one 6.5-hour day. SDS Level 2 is 3 sessions of 2 hours. Each class listing shows its own dates and times.

Why is each course this long?

Because correct techniques and concepts cannot be taught in an hour or two. Vince's 40-plus years in the martial arts and his training in law enforcement tactics taught him that it takes real time, which is why Level 1 is taught either as three two-hour sessions or in one 6.5-hour day. That is not everything it takes, but it gives people a real start. Anything shorter would waste their time and money.

How much does a class cost?

SDS Level 1 is $125 per student and SDS Level 2 is $125 per student. The price for each class is shown on its listing.

Can I take Level 2 first?

No. Level 2 requires completion of Level 1, because it builds on the basics learned in the Level 1 course.

What if I have an injury or a medical condition?

List any relevant physical limitations on the registration form so the instructor knows in advance. If you are unsure whether the physical work is right for you, check with your doctor first.

Is this a martial arts class?

No. The instructor has more than 40 years of martial arts experience, but Strata is personal security training. Physical response is one layer of a larger approach that starts with awareness and avoidance, and it is broader than fighting: it includes walking or running away, moving to a more strategic location and using body language to control the situation, as well as practical techniques.

Does the class cover the law?

Level 1 includes a section on personal protection and the law. It is general education for students, not legal advice for a specific situation.

Students walking out of the training building together after class

You don’t get to choose when you’ll need the skills. You can choose whether you’re prepared.

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