If there is one place you should feel safe, it is your own home. Home is where we are most comfortable. But one of the most terrifying thoughts all of us has is the chance that someone would break into our home. Best Defense host Michael Bane introduces our new series with the question "what would you do if your home was broken into?" Co-host and defense expert Mike Janich demonstrates the basics of what to do to make your home more secure and plan to defend yourself within your home, especially in the case of a home invasion. Rob Pincus is joined on the range by Phil Strader to review the most important fundamentals of defensive shooting.
Having shown the basics for preparing yourself against home invasion last week, Michael Bane, Mike Janich and Rob Pincus take home defense to the next level. What should you consider when firing a gun in your home at an intruder? If you fire a gun inside your home, how far will certain bullets penetrate into other rooms? What other weapons can you look into to defend yourself inside your house? These questions, along with many others, are answered by our experts.
As series host Michael Bane points out, Americans spend more time in parking lots than we would really care to know. The more comfortable you become with any location, the greater risk there is to become less aware of what is going on around you. Mike Janich and Michael Bane take you through several different danger scenarios that can occur in parking lots and show you what the best defense would be for each situation, and Rob Pincus answers the big question; what is the best firearm to own for personal defense.
Even the simple act of using an ATM in public can be a dangerous situation. Mike Janich has a number of tactics to help you be more aware of what is going on around you, and what the best defense would be. Additionally, Rob Pincus will show us the balance of speed and precision when using a firearm, as well as the best way to practice one-handed shooting to be sure you are ready to use your firearm one handed.
As Michael Bane tells us in this episode, seems that most defense training deals with terms like “close quarter combat” or “defensive firearm use”. But our experts will tell you that the best defense is to always try and avoid any kind of violent confrontation. Mike Janich shows us how being aware and controlling our actions can be the safest way to avoid any possible conflicts that may otherwise turn violent. And, if you are a concealed carry permit holders, we will demonstrate the proper way to present your firearm from concealment. Rob Pincus shows us how to practice using a firearm from a concealed carry perspective, and the best drills you can use to practice on your own at the range.
Car jacking is one of the most dangerous crimes committed these days. Unlike most criminals, a carjacker wants to interact with you – making this type of crime especially life threatening. We’ll take you through the basic steps of awareness and prevention you can take to form a defense against car jacking, and what is the best action to be taken if you find yourself a victim of this crime.
In the second episode covering car jacking, we take defensive tactics to the next level. Sometimes victims are confronted with no way out of a violent confrontation while driving. We have all seen or heard of violent road rage situations that seem unreal. If you use a firearm as your primary defense weapon while in your car, you don’t want to miss what Rob Pincus will teach you in this episode.
Prepare For The Unexpected: Convenience Store Robbery There are a number of things that can endanger your life if you find yourself caught in an armed robbery. As with everything else we cover on The Best Defense, using your awareness skills and remaining calm will go a long way to making sure you are able to make it through this situation. If you are a concealed carry holder, or are thinking about becoming one, you won't want to miss this episode!
You've trained to handle the terrifying possibility of having to use a firearm for self defense. But surviving a shooting incident creates another level of awareness and preparedness in dealing with the aftermath of this event. The Best Defense will show you what to do and, more importantly, what NOT to do if you are faced with this situation.
There are a number of reasons to be prepared for defense at your home, office or while on the streets. But as more and more of us venture into the backcountry for hiking, camping or any type of outdoor activity, the same precautions we take in our homes and city need to apply while in the outdoors. Maybe even more so. When you are in the backcountry, you are less likely to receive assistance in a timely matter. And the danger from predators, both four legged and two legged, needs to be taken into consideration.
While many women take precautions against an attack in their home or on the street from strangers, most attacks occur from someone they know. Letting your guard down around people you are familiar with makes you more vulnerable to attack. The Best Defense will show you some basic rules to follow when you are alone with someone, even someone you feel you can trust.
We all hope and pray that someone we know isn’t involved in an active shooter situation, or any life threatening situation for that matter. While we might be comfortable operating most, if not all types of firearms, some of our friends and family may not want to have anything to do with them. The Best Defense began this season with a poignant questions regarding firearms: “what would you tell someone if you only had thirty seconds to teach them about firearms?” We go over some basic information we can pass along to those we care about which may make the difference if they are ever faced with this unlikely situation.
We have gone through a variety of scenarios and training this season, all in the hopes of making people plan for their own, and their family’s protection. Mike, Rob and Mike use this final episode of Season 1 to look back at certain scenarios and training tips that The Best Defense really wants to drive home from the first season. We also add several more tactical tips that you can add to the current training regime that has been built upon this season.
It happens every day. You’re at home watching television, cleaning up or just reading a book. There’s a knock at your door. It would seem the most logical thing to do would be to just open the door. Unfortunately, that may be the biggest mistake of your life. Once again, this season of The Best Defense begins at home by teaching you how to deal with a home invasion when you are caught away from your safe room or don’t have one. More importantly, we’ll show you how to put that knowledge into practice by teaching you “training in context”—secrets of replicating the situations you fear most through practical drills at the range.
You may feel you’re prepared to react to a home invasion, but what about your family? If an attack happens, would your spouse, kids or anyone else who lives with you be prepared as well? True home defense means keeping everyone safe, and that means having a plan for every member of your family. In this episode, Michael Bane, Rob Pincus, and Michael Janich guide you through the strategy and tactics of family-based home defense.
An intruder has entered your house. You’ve planned for this situation and are prepared to react—until you realize he’s not alone. Incidents involving multiple assailants in home invasions are more common now than ever before and conventional home-defense tactics may not be enough to keep you safe. Find out what you can do to harden your home and adapt your tactics to cope with this terrifying threat.
You’re out with friends at a local restaurant or maybe at a bar having drinks. Even though you’re minding your own business and not looking for trouble, it can still find you. In this episode, The Best Defense team dispels the myths of the typical “bar fight” and teaches you what it really takes to keep yourself and your companions safe when you’re out on the town.
If you’re on a date, you want to feel like you can take care of any dangers that may arise. It’s natural to assume the role of the protector. But really staying safe is more about being smart than being tough. Learn how to put your skills of awareness, avoidance and de-escalation into practice to avoid a physical confrontation, and then learn how to “get physical” with brutal efficiency.
It’s easy to get distracted when walking to or from your car. It’s also one of the easiest ways to fall victim to a criminal attack. Let The Best Defense’s experts show you how to turn self-defense into true self-protection through proactive tactics that will keep your radar turned on and clearly identify you as a “hard target.” You’ll also learn how to integrate these tactics with hard-hitting empty-hand, less-lethal, and lethal weapon skills.
Sometimes the things that go bump in the night are really there and are really out to hurt you and your family. If the floor plan or your home or an intruder’s actions make a traditional safe-room solution impossible, let us show you how to combine low-light tactics and advanced home-defense strategies to keep your family safe. Our “training in context” segment will also teach you how to practice the skills you’ll really need through realistic range drills.
Many of us travel for work or pleasure. Regardless of why you travel, virtually every trip means a hotel room in different city and unfamiliar surroundings. While traveling can be fun and exciting, it can also be dangerous. This episode of The Best Defense explores the strategies of keeping yourself safe when traveling and reveals simple measures that you can take to ensure that you don’t become a victim.
Concealed carry means a lot more than just having a gun. It means having the skills, tactics, and judgment to employ a firearm in a dynamic environment. Bullets don’t magically strike only the bad guys, so make sure that you have the knowledge and training you need to operate in the real world. Get that knowledge from the experts on The Best Defense.
The nightmare of a random shooting in a crowded public place is something we all fear. Your tactics for surviving such a situation will depend upon where you are, whom you’re with, and what tools you have available. In this groundbreaking episode of The Best Defense, Michael Bane, Rob Pincus and Michael Janich will teach you practical armed and unarmed options for surviving an active shooter incident.
Most personal-defense training—whether with a firearm or with empty-hand techniques—is typically conducted in a large, open area. Unfortunately, real attacks don’t happen in areas that resemble an outdoor square range or a martial arts dojo. They happen in confined areas where criminals use the environment to their advantage to box you in. In this episode of The Best Defense, Rob Pincus and Michael Janich teach you how to fight effectively in confined areas and how to adapt your skills and training to real-world environments.
There’s nothing quite as peaceful as camping in the wilderness. Unfortunately, the freedom of the outdoors also leaves you vulnerable to four-legged and two-legged predators. Imagine being in a tent tucked inside a warm sleeping bag when you are suddenly attacked by a knife-wielding maniac. What would you do? The Best Defense experts have the answers that could keep you alive.
Going on a date is exciting. However, the thrill of “getting to know” someone new can also leave you vulnerable, alone, and overpowered. This powerful episode of The Best Defense will teach you how to manage and avoid potentially dangerous situations and provide some hard-hitting options for fighting your way out if you do become trapped and isolated. Your best defense is the knowledge offered by The Best Defense.
Coming home everyday becomes the epitome of routine. But the security measures you practice while entering your home, as well as the barriers you have created once inside, can be the most important steps you take to keeping yourself safe. Mike, Rob and Mike show you how to prevent being taken by surprise as you enter the place you feel most secure; your home. Additionally, Mike Janich shows you how installing a solid-core, reinforced door may be the best security investment your money can buy.
If you carry a concealed firearm, or keep one in your home, it makes sense to train and prepare for what to do in the event that you have to use it. But once the smoke has cleared and you have survived the incident, knowing what to say and how to act with authorities can be the difference in justifying your actions and being charged with a crime. The Best Defense will take you through a self-defense shooting scenario and how to best respond to authorities who arrive on the scene.
We all have schedules; places to go at appointments to meet. Many times when people are behind the wheel, tempers flare. If someone is tailgating your car, or driving slow in front of you, it’s amazing how quickly we all can become agitated. But as Mike and Rob point out in this scenario, checking your ego is not only the best way to keep yourself safe… it may also prevent you from becoming the bad guy.
The right to keep a firearm for personal defense is, as we know, protected by the Constitution of The United States. In most states, that right includes carrying a firearm while in public. While we all believe strongly in the 2nd Amendment, there are times when making your stand on principle may endanger your safety… even your life.
In an ideal word, everybody has full use of their legs and arms. That is not the case and for those with limited mobility, the challenges of self defense are huge. Michael Janich and Rob Pincus look at those challenges and how you might response.
Driving at night always requires a hightened sense of awareness. If we see someone stranded, waving for help, we’re inclined to try and do what we can. However, you can still help someone without placing yourself in danger, or falling for a trap.
In many states in the US, you can now openly carry a handgun on your hip. With open carry comes a new set of challenges for the firearm owners and also a whole new set of risks.
For many people, home is located in an apartment complex, possibly even a college dorm room. Being in this situation creates a number of different security issues; roommates and their friends, proximity of neighbors and the realities of the physical barriers that you can actually put in place. While there may be challenges in setting up your best defense in this type of environment, there are also a number of measures you can take to make your apartment a safer environment for you and the people you care about. Mike Janich walks you through the things to look for when choosing an apartment, as well as things you can add for security.
Every day we interact with dozens and sometimes hundreds of people without any problems. This good experience can cause us to let our guard down. When an interaction suddenly turns into a threatening or worst case violent encounter, your first goal is to stay safe.
Some times in our every day life, we have to use elevators. When being attacked in this metal box, your escape options can be completely cut off.
How to keep safe in the midst of chaos.
Possible confrontations in a parking garage.
In episode 7 of season 3: We bring you the best from this season based on feedback from our viewers. As a companion show to the hit program MidwayUSA’s The Best Defense, the survival edition of the series travels the United States visiting military and civilian training centers to educate the viewer through life-threatening scenarios.
Modern technology helps us mobilize a gathering for dinner or other social events. The bad guys have the same capabilities but where mayhem might the goal. Flash mobs can cause a lot of harm and for a concealed carry holder, this can be a worst case scenario. In this first episode of season 4, Michael Bane, Michael Janich and Mike Seeklander guide you through different scenarios and solutions. We are also giving you tips and techniques for concealed carry and Marty Hayes is back with more legal advise. See below for links to more information.
You have your concealed carry permit. You have purchased your carry gun and you have completed your training. But are you ready to head out to the real world? There are situations that may occur where you as a concealed carry holder are not prepared or trained for. Those are situation you need to understand intimately. Michael Bane, Michael Janich and Mike Seeklander guide you through different scenarios and solutions and Marty Hayes talks about things to be aware of from a legal standpoint. Feel free to post comment below.
Even the toughest castles can be breached. In this week’s scenario, victims of a home invasion are chosen while they are shopping and then followed home. Mike Seeklander and Michael Janich look at at how this could happen and how to guarantee it does not happen to you. See below for links to more information on topics covered in this episode.
The Tueller Drill is a self-defense training exercise to prepare against a short-range attack when armed only with a holstered handgun. Mike Seeklander and Michael Janich look at different scenarios within a distance of 21 feet.
As any marriage counselor will tell you, the secret to a great relationship is communication. In a self defense context, the communication becomes even more important. We look at different scenario where the husband and wife get attacked. In the training segment, Mike Seeklander looks at two handed grip live fire. Michael Janich talks about having a coordinated plan and Michael Bane touches on who should lead if more than one in the party are carrying concealed. See below for links to more information on topics covered in this episode.
A bumper thumper is not always a traffic accident, but it might be the start of a robbery or an attack. We look at different solutions and how we can prepare and practice for these type of situations.
Having a firearm on your person, doesn’t mean you’re ready for whatever the world might throw at you. There are situations where there is no time to access your firearm. If you have disarmed an attacker or otherwise gained control of the situation, Marty Hayes reminds us that we always need to reassess any situation that might question the justification of deadly force.
In each season of The Best Defense, we look at ways to stop or defend yourself against intruders. In this episode we look at the distance to your safe room and methods to stop an illegal entry. We also look at the shotgun as a home defense weapon.
Too often, we think of attacks on women as something that might happen out on some lonely road or a far off corner in a field. But these attacks can be set up in more public places. You need your awareness on a razor edge if you want to protect yourself against the predators. Once again, we look at the bad, the better and the best scenario.
When you pull into a parking garage or a parking lot, there can be a lot of distractions. There are other people there and some of them may have a question for you. In these situations, you need to raise your awareness level. There are times when a simple question can turn into a disastrous scenario. We look at tactics and techniques on how we can train and prepare to draw a knife or a pistol a lot faster.
A mugging situation is often thought of as a one on one attack. In most cases, there are more than one. This is reality you need to factor in when it comes to your self defense plan. In this episode, we look at multiple attackers and how different scenarios might play out.
Most of us work for 40 hours a week. During that period of time in our workplace, we’re focused on what we’re paid to do. When that focus is so narrow, we might miss situations that are developing around us, situations that can turn violent and terrifying. In this video, we cover violence in the workplace and how we can prepare and defend ourselves.
Over the last season, we have shown you 12 scenarios with options on how to respond. In this episode, we ask Michael Janich and Mike Seeklander to go back through each one of those scenarios and pick out the ones that are critical, the ones that we need to revisit.
In this premiere episode of season 5, we take you through scenarios that you may experience if you are in charge of keeping an eye on your neighbor’s house as part of the neighborhood watch team. We follow a concealed carry shooting situation from the beginning to the end.
Not every self defense situation requires a gun solution either in your home or when you’re out and about. The legal, moral and emotional outcome is something you have to live with for the rest of your life.
In this scenario from The Best Defense, we are going to take you to a place where violence is like a summer thunder storm. It comes up fast and is incredibly scary and random. Sometimes you have no choice but to fight.
The reality of an attack is that it can happen on the most mundane of days and in the middle of your daily routines. One of those routines can be to take your child for a nice walk in the park.
Unlike old dogs, it turns out that criminals can learn new tricks. When we talk about violent crimes, it’s not necessarily a mugging in an alley.
Any time you travel out of town, especially as a female traveler, you increase your chances of being attacked. You’re outside of your environment. In a hotel scenario, the risk increases dramatically if you’re not paying attention to your surroundings.
What are the threats that face us involving our job? There are more than we can actually imagine, especially if our job put us in contact with people in a one on one situation and in a non public environment.
Social Media allows you to share information and things about your life more efficiently than ever before. But it can also leave you more vulnerable, because the predators out there are also using this new electronic world as a hunting ground to find their prey.
You hear a sound outside. Someone is on your property looking into your home. You grab your weapon and go outside to solve the problem…. or does the problem solve you?
When criminals look for victims, they look for the weakest they can find. If you are disabled, you are more than twice as likely to be targeted than if you’re able-bodied. However, not being optimal, does not mean you can’t respond optimally.
In this episode, The Best Defense team takes you through a worst case scenario at a movie theater. It is one of the most terrifying situations you can ever find yourself in. We give you some ideas on how to increase your survivability.
Parking lots are prime hunting grounds for predators, especially after dark. In a low light situation, being aware is more difficult. Carrying a flash light can be as important as carrying a gun in a self defense situation.
It’s been an aggressive, even a scary season of The Best Defense. In every season, we present 12 scenarios which offer unique learning points. Mike Seeklander and Michael Janich pick 3 of the most important scenarios filled with life saving information.
Every day we interface with other people and too often we do this on autopilot and we are oblivious. In the modern world, this is not a good idea.
An active shooter in our workplace has become our very own urban nightmare. We talk a lot about avoidance and awareness on our show, but there are situations where you simply have to react perfectly.
In self defense training, we operate mostly in a wide open area like a shooting range. What if we in a real life situation have to react in narrow space like on a trolley or a bus. Are we prepared for these type of situations?
We never feel more secure then when we’re on our home turf. While doing our chores such as in a garage, you never know who might walk in and what the intentions might be.
One of the scariest places in the world is that dark parking garage. It is a place we all go and we’re very vulnerable if we don’t pay attention to awareness and avoidance.
One of the more interesting things about being in an elevator, is that we tend to turn off our awareness switch. Instead, we just want to stand there and ignore the people who get on and off the elevator. What could possible go wrong?
Most of us want to be good Samaritans and help other people in need. Unfortunately, predators always understand that urge and can turn it against us.
Is it anything more mind numbing than a long drive? You’re tired, you’re bored, you’re stiff and you’ve had enough of listening to the greatest hits of the 70′s. When you see the sign that says Rest Area, all you can think of is getting out of the car. But is that the only ting you need to think about?
You may have some plans on how to keep your family safe in your home. But if you don’t communicate those plans to your spouse and children, do they matter at all?
When we’re out in the real world, most of the time we’re with other people. Yet, in self defense training, the assumption is that we’re going to be acting alone. The way we take other people into account in our training, is going to define whether that training works or not.
In today’s modern fast paced social media world, it’s easier to meet new people than ever before. The dating world is nothing like it’s used to be. But for women, the central question remains the same: Is this person you’re asking into your life the kind of person you want to ask into your life?
One of the problems when we are recreating outdoors is that we let our guard slip. When we’re on a bicycle riding along in the sun, what could possibly go wrong? The answer is: More than you think….
In this episode, we bring you the highlights from the 12 scenarios from Season 6.
Everybody loves a good game, unless that game leaves you unconscious and bleeding on the ground. The nationwide spread of the knockout game, has given us a whole new set of challenges for staying safe in public places.
As we go about our every day lives, it’s amazing how many tethers we have between ourselves and our home. Some are obvious…. a wallet, a purse. But even a lonely garage door opener can be that first breadcrumb in a trail that leads the wrong person to our home.
There is no more terrifying moment for a parent then realizing the child is gone. The unfortunate truth is that we live in a world where predators prey on children and it’s up to all of us to make sure that the worst case never happen.
Being stalked especially by someone you know is an old crime given a new lease of life by our technology, by social media, by the hot house inter-connectivity of modern society. But technology is always a double-edged sword and the right technology in your hand can translate into safety.
Some times personal defense is more than just personal. If you are a business owner or an employee, you have a special responsibility to your customers. That responsibility is more than a sign in the window.
We live in a time where the concept of “safe” has become a relative term. Some times we choose to ignore that truth and protect the things most precious to us with little more than crossed fingers and hope. Unfortunately, there is an older truth – a truth that predates mankind: Predators will always find their prey…
Some times it seems like all roads end up at a gas station – an island of lights surrounded by pretty much nothing. It’s a perfect hunting ground for a predator.
Every one of us has taken a wrong turn, escaping from a storm or because of an errant GPS. When that happens, our awareness and instincts become important tools.
A lot of us really treasure the fact that we’re finally able to live off the beaten path. With that much sought-after isolation comes other responsibilities that you might not have living in the city or even in the suburbs. When you’re living out in the country, who are you gonna call when trouble comes knocking.
We all do stupid things – it’s all part of the job description of being human. Some times those stupid things have a way of boomerang back on us in ways we never expect. And it makes it even worse when our ability to move is constrained.
Ideally, our home is not only our castle but a quiet place of refuge. But neighborhood altercations have a way of suddenly boiling up until they’re on the very verge of chaos.
When a friend is in trouble, our every instinct is to help them out. What if the very thing we do to get them out of trouble lead us to a place we don’t want to be.
C0-hosts Michael Bane, Michael Janich and Mike Seeklander give you some of the best from season 7.
A non-permissive environment becomes a playground for bad people.
In-transit and unarmed doesn't have to become helpless.
When the smoke clears and injuries require immediate treatment.
It's easy to forget that our home away from home, isn't our home - and often not as safe.
Keeping your family safe when you're not there.
In the most stressful situation of your life, how are you going to communicate with the police?
The farther you get from civilization, the farther civilization gets from you.
A blow to the head leaves a victim's vision and personal defense compromised.
All it takes is on wrong turn to find yourself in a situation from which you might not escape!
Criminals prey on our distraction! And we're never more distracted than with our family.
We increasingly live in a one-meter world. But what does that do for our awareness and avoidance?
Look back! Someone may be gaining on you.
The essential skills and training tools you need for the best defense.
With the headlines full of terrorist attacks, active shooters and escalating mayhem, The Best Defense creates the most realistic "mass casualty event" possible, then show our viewers how they could survive in Hell. Based on real world information and feedback from top civilian, law enforcement and military counter-terrorist experts, every single aspect of the scenario was studied and vetted by experienced experts.
With the headlines full of terrorist attacks, active shooters and escalating mayhem, The Best Defense creates the most realistic "mass casualty event" possible, then show our viewers how they could survive in Hell. Based on real world information and feedback from top civilian, law enforcement and military counter terrorist experts, every single aspect of the scenario was studied and vetted by experienced experts.
When we think about defending our home, we often think of that 'bump in the night'. You may think you know what to do when you hear that bump in the night, but reality is rarely so accommodating.
In today's changing world, random crime and especially random crime associated with youth and gangs, has moved out of an urban city stronghold and into your neighborhood.
When we think about self-defense, we often focus on the extraordinary. The problem with that is, we overlook the ordinary. Sometimes, that can come back to haunt you.
Home security systems have become a huge growth industry. But, can you really buy the security that you and your family need?
Technology is with us every minute of every day. If you're a parent, that makes it nearly impossible to control everything your child sees, hears or does on social media. And sometimes, that can be dangerous.
Often when we train, we do so out of context, in an ideal environment. The problem is, techniques need to work in the real world. Even in the most confined spaces.
People with physical limitations face challenges every day and they overcome them. Self-defense is just another one of those challenges. Meet Trevor Baucom, an american hero and someone who has indeed lived it.
People often think of an airport as a secure spot that's safe. But staying safe starts long before you walk through the doors; and it begins with mindset.
Whether we like to admit it or not, people are herd animals. We feel like there is safety in numbers. But is there? When we talk about self-defense, the operative word is self. Even in a crowd, you're on your own!
Given the amount of time we spend in our cars, it's not surprising that the violent act of carjacking is on the upswing. If you haven't thought through the specialized skill of armed defense inside a vehicle, the consequences could be lethal.
If you have the unfortunate need to defend your life with a gun, what happens when you run out of shots and the threat keeps coming?
Mindset, training, skills & tools to keep yourself safe.
We've all heard the phrase that perception is reality. That is never more true than in a chaotic situation. Our world becomes what we see, hear and feel. And the more chaotic the situation, the smaller that world gets. The danger is, when two worlds collide.
Driven by the cartels, terrorist organizations and sadly, an upswing in human trafficking, kidnapping has become democratized. Even you can be taken.
The moment you're taken, a clock starts ticking. The faster you understand your situation and bring your own skills into play, determines whether you're going to be a survivor or just another statistic.
Every school shooting is different, but they all have one thing in common. They happen incredibly fast! Learn what to teach your kids to survive, should they ever find themselves in this position.