SPEAR System
 | |
 Coach Blauer demonstrating the Spear technique. | |
| Also known as | Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response |
|---|---|
| Focus | Hybrid |
| Country of origin |
 United States |
| Creator | Tony Blauer |
| Olympic sport | No |
| Official website | http://blauerspear.com |
The SPEAR system (an acronym for Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response) is a close-quarter protection system that uses a person's reflex action in threatening situations as a basis for defence.[1] The founder, Tony Blauer, developed the SPEAR system in Canada during the 1980s.[2] It has since been adopted by several military and law enforcement agencies across the world.
Basic principles
The SPEAR system is a science based self-defense system.[3] It focuses on how to Detect, De-fuse, and Defend against violent encounters. Students are trained to use the physiology of the startle-flinch response to deal with ambush attacks.[4]
Fear management
Fear management is one of the pillars of the Spear System. The word fear is often an acronym[5] meaning any of:
- False Evidence Appearing Real
- False Expectation Appearing Real
- Failure Expected Action Required
The goal is to train the reticular cortex of the brain to recognize the most common types of ambush tactics, such as the haymaker. Fear is simulated with roleplaying attacks at high speed to cause the body’s natural startle flinch. This training, known within the system as “Know Fear,” helps students understand the physiological effects of fear, such as the adrenaline dump, sweating, auditory exclusion, and tunnel vision. Psychologically, students are taught to focus on “Goal, Action, and Result” (abbreviated GAR) to react to a fearful situation.[6]
High Gear
High Gear is an impact reduction suit designed by Tony Blauer to aid in self-defense training. Practitioners use this gear to simulate real fights because it allows the role-players to attack and respond to attacks at high speed.[7]
History
The SPEAR System's origin began in 1982 with the developed "Panic Attack" drill that attempts to mirror the physiological response of a sudden ambush.
The "Panic Attack" study developed into the "Be Your Own Bodyguard" program and the present day SPEAR and Personal Defense Readiness ("PDR") programs.[8]
In 2007 UK's Association of Chief Police Officers approved Spear for inclusion in the Personal Safety Training Manual for the British Police.[9][10]
During an interview, Tony Blauer gave a partial list of organizations that had received Spear training.
- Australian Federal Police
- Dallas (Texas) Police Department
- Federal Air Marshals
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Houston (Texas) Police Department SWAT Unit
- Illinois State Police
- Rochester (New York) Police Department
- Tampa (Florida) Police Department
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Department of Defense[11]
See also
References
- ↑ "Tony Blauer Talks With Black Belt About the SPEAR (Part 1)". Black Belt. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
- ↑ "Tony Blauer Talks With Black Belt About the SPEAR (Part 1)". Black Belt. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
- ↑ "Tony Blauer Talks With Black Belt About the SPEAR (Part 1)". Black Belt. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
- ↑ "Tony Blauer Flinch Training". nextleveltraining.com. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
- ↑ S.P.E.A.R. System Instructor Developer Program. Blauer Tactical Systems. 2016.
- ↑ Blauer, Tony. "Know Fear". policeone.com. Retrieved Jan 19, 2004.
- ↑ Bertomen, Lindsey. "Product Review High Gear Training Suit". policeone.com. Retrieved Feb 1, 2010.
- ↑ "Tony Blauer Talks With Black Belt About the SPEAR (Part 2)". Black Belt. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
- ↑ Jane's Police Review, issue 150307 2009
- ↑ "'The United Kingdom Adopts the Blauer Tactical S.P.E.A.R. System'" policeone.com dated 20 August 2007. Recovered on 7 January 2009.
- ↑ Young, Robert. "The Spear System" (PDF). BlackBeltMag.com. Black Belt Magazine. Retrieved April 4, 2012.