The Defense Training Institute

10/03/2026

A great day for a Kickathon. Thank you all for coming out and helping us raise funds for children in need. This year we partnered with Fox Valley United Way to raise funds to purchase Christmas gifts for the children in the Fox Valley area.

10/01/2026

THANK YOU to Brinka Chiropractic Center and Pure Health Physical Medicine for your generous donations towards our Kickathon! Our event is nothing without the people who help make it happen. We appreciate you!

Free on Saturday morning and looking for a good time?? Come check out our event. Doors open at 9, kickers start at 10. Hope to see you there!

09/28/2026

Only FIVE days until this year’s Kickathon and it’s time to show some recognition to those who are helping making this event happen. First up, a HUGE thank you to Scott Kreischer of Four Majors Wealth Management! Your support means everything and we couldn’t me more appreciative!

09/27/2026

One week to go. This year we will be working with the Fox Valley United Way to bring Christmas gifts to children in need. Want to help? If you can't make it, consider donating on-line. Lets all help bring a smile to a child on Christmas morning.

Est. 1998

09/23/2026

Congratulations to TJ on receiving his yellow belt. Excellent work young man. He never misses a class and he's always pushing himself while remaining quiet and humble.

08/12/2026

No matter what system of fighting you practice or teach, Carlson Gracie’s Method of Structural Fighting provides an excellent framework for developing effective combat grappling and street combatives.

Carlson understood the realities of fighting and, more importantly, what was necessary to win. His approach emphasized developing a complete fighter: striking, takedowns, control, ground fighting, physical conditioning, and the ability to pressure-test those skills against a resisting opponent.

This material comes from Robert Drysdale’s excellent book, The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Chapter 5: “As Real as It Gets.” Robert Drysdale

If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend picking up a copy. There is a tremendous amount of history, philosophy, and practical insight for anyone serious about understanding the evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and combat grappling.
Study the past. Understand the fight. Train for reality.

07/31/2026

A week of Mount Control, escapes and submissions. A big thanks to all my awesome students who pushed themselves.

07/20/2026

Back to training! A little stand-up, maybe clinching, a takedown or two, topped by some ugly groundwork. It won't be pretty but you might learn something.

07/13/2026

A big Thank you to all those who attended Hugo Duerte's Luta Livre Seminar. We went almost 3 hours on Friday and another 2 hours on Saturday. It was fantastic, from beginning to end, non-stop techniques. Thank you Mestre Hugo Duarte and Manuela for an amazing event and sharing the mat with us. .pbduarte #

07/04/2026

God Bless America, Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸