ABOUT US

FAQ

Open Defender Course

Dates

January 31, 2024

-

March 6, 2024

DAYS

Wednesday

TIME

4:00 pm

to

5:00 pm

CITY

Northbrook, IL

VENUE

StandStrong Studio

SESSIONS

6 Classes

Course Description

Our Defender Course curriculum focuses on skill and confidence-building to address potential conflict scenarios. Participants in the course will learn how to stand up to intimidation tactics, and leverage self-defense to either de-escalate or disengage from the most common threatening environments. The course provides learning in 25 unique self-defense skills.

In this course, you'll learn:

  • Situational Awareness & Verbal Self-Defense
  • Distance Management & Clinch
  • Wrist and Shirt Grab escapes
  • Front Choke, Headlock, and Bear Hug escapes
  • How to fall to the ground and stand back safely
  • Ground defense and control

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Coaches Henri Jones and Charlie Pienta
Instructors

Henri Jones is our Lead Instructor and an MMA competitor who started coaching in 2016 and quickly found it to be his passion. Charlie is a purple belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has been training in it and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) for almost 5 years.

Henri is an MMA competitor looking to build his reputation as an elite fighter in the cage. He understands the importance of staying calm and collected in the most frantic situations. Henri started coaching in 2016 and quickly found it to be his passion. He loves using real-life skills to empower students. Throughout his MMA career, Henri has trained in boxing, Muay-Thai, wrestling, grappling and Jiu-Jitsu. He adds unique qualities to our StandStrong curriculum. Charlie Pienta was born and raised in Chicago and currently lives in the Bucktown neighborhood. He is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and has been training in BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) for almost 5 years. Martial arts training has drastically improved his life and his passion for teaching has been a great experience. He has gained countless benefits from martial arts both on and off the mats, including motivation and a healthy lifestyle. Some of his interests outside of BJJ/MMA include reading, cooking, traveling, holistic health and nutrition, visiting various churches and coffee shops throughout Chicago, and doing anything active outside in the sun.

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