VA Self Defense
Virginia Self-Defense & Fitness relocated to Tappahannock in 2018 after 8 years operating in Staunton. The business specializes in seminars and group training rather than drop-in classes, bringing certified instruction to your location. All training centers on Commando Krav Maga (CKM) because of its...
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Virginia Self-Defense & Fitness relocated to Tappahannock in 2018 after 8 years operating in Staunton. The business specializes in seminars and group training rather than drop-in classes, bringing certified instruction to your location.
All training centers on Commando Krav Maga (CKM) because of its simplicity and real-world effectiveness. Unlike traditional martial arts, Krav Maga has no rules—groin strikes, eye gouges, and knee strikes are acceptable techniques. The system focuses on:
- •Finishing confrontations quickly and aggressively
- •Developing situational awareness
- •Understanding street confrontation psychology
- •Identifying threats before attacks occur
- •Defending against realistic attacks, not choreographed scenarios
"I've found the skills and tactics taught in CKM to be extremely relevant to the needs of both Patrol and SWAT Officers. The raw, gross motor skills involved make the techniques both easy to learn through repetition and practical to use in the real world." — Eric Salemi, Law Enforcement Commander
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Women's Self-Defense | 3-hour and 6-hour courses; individual or group registration available |
| Gun Defense | Disarming and defense against armed attackers |
| Knife Defense | Defense against knife attacks with training knives |
| Ground Survival | Close-quarters ground fighting techniques |
| Krav Maga | Foundation system for all seminars; 2-hour minimum on-site |
| Striking & Holds | Pressure point targeting and effective striking |
| Ladies Kickboxing | Combination striking techniques for women |
On-site seminars are customizable—combine individual seminars as needed. Pricing is based on location and participant count.
Philip Kennedy brings serious credentials to the table:
- •Level 4 Krav Maga Instructor (highest level offered)
- •TAC 3 Firearms Instructor through Israeli Tactical School
- •2nd Degree Black Belt in American Freestyle Karate
- •Red Belt in Shotokan Karate
- •Officer Protection Instructor through Combat Survival Inc.
- •First Aid Certified
Kennedy completed TAC 1-6 training with Tomer Israeli (former chief security officer with Israel's Shin-Bet security service), specializing in active shooter protection and home invasion response. He previously taught self-defense and martial arts at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton.
A law enforcement officer successfully disarmed a knife attacker without injury to himself or the offender—using techniques Kennedy taught. That's the kind of real-world validation they're known for.
Krav Maga was developed in the 1930s by Hungarian boxer and wrestler Imi Lichtenfeld. The techniques were adopted by Israeli underground paramilitary groups (Haganah) and later became the official combat system of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) when Israel was founded in 1948.
The system's philosophy: avoid conflict first, but if unavoidable, end it fast. Training emphasizes de-escalation, verbal avoidance, and psychological awareness before physical skills ever come into play.
- •Insurance and professional equipment provided during training
- •Certified first aid instructor leading all courses
- •Instructor credibility: Kennedy is endorsed by Andrew Clough (Founder, Boondock Survival), law enforcement commanders, and fellow CKM instructors nationwide
- •Focused seminars instead of drop-in classes: Depth over convenience
- •Firearms and blade defense integrated with unarmed tactics
- •Real-world vetting: Kennedy's techniques have been successfully used in actual law enforcement and civilian defense situations
Phone: 540-241-6927 Location: Tappahannock, Virginia Service Area: On-site seminars available; will travel to your location
Contact them to schedule a seminar for your organization, group, or individuals.