3×3 Review: Shivworks ECQC Wisconsin 2016
Last weekend, The She Shepherd and I attended the ECQC class taught by Craig Douglas of Shivworks. I will cover specific drills and evolutions in future posts, but here is my 3×3 review.
The 3×3 review format discusses the top 3 things covered in class, the top 3 things I learned from the class, and the top 3 things I am going to change after taking the class.
You can also read my ECQC 2015 review.
About the Author: Short Barrel Shepherd
Short Barrel Shepherd is a regular guy and works to make Web sites and mobile apps easier for people to use. He spends his free time attending fight-focused firearm, knife, and combatives training, motorcycling, writing, and playing games. His daily carry is a Glock 19 pistol and an AR15 .300 Blackout pistol in a backpack. 
SBS,
Nice review, one of your better ones, I thought.
I think the training group idea is a great one. Shawn L has a pretty good primer on setting up such a thing both on TPI and on his blog (anti-fragile).
I’m still an ECQC virgin, but after talking with Craig at AMIS back in April (I reviewed the course at: https://civiliangunfighter.wordpress.com/2016/04/13/aar-shivworks-craig-douglas-armed-movement-in-structures-pittsburgh-pa-49-410-2016/), I think I’m going to give it a go in 2017. My major concern is injury, as I have prior athletic injuries that I think will almost certainly resurface in class. But, Craig telling me that he’s had 70-somethings take the class shamed me a bit!
Good stuff! Keep at it and stay safe!
–Robert
Hi there! Thanks for the comment.
I completely understand about wanting to avoid an injury, especially a pre-existing one.
In both of my ECQC courses there were people with significant prior injuries (e.g., fused vertebrae, below the knee amputee). In general, I would describe the contact as “full intensity with intermediate force.” This usually applies to striking, but also with takedowns.
I am not a doctor, and don’t know the extent of your prior injuries. I’d continue communicating with Craig and consult a medical professional to be on the safe side.
Really enjoyed your 3×3 of ECQC. Glad to hear your preparations paid off. I’d love to see some video of the evolutions.
I’m pleased to hear you’re going to incorporate some barbell work into your workout again. I’m a huge believer in pumping iron for real-life defense. I know a lot of guys who ridicule muscle heads, but I have found that size and strength are huge assets. Not only does it assist with deselection and de-escalation (you look like a harder taget) but it really helps if the confrontation gets physical. This was reconfirmed for me when I attended the Shivworks Edged Weapon Overviw class earlier this year. I’m not the biggest or baddest guy in the class, or the youngest, but years in the weight room gave me an advantage over a lot of guys with less mass and/or strength.
I’m not saying that pumping iron is the holy grail, but it is an important part of prep for real life sh*t.
Now, for combat sports I think weight training is less important. In most sports there are weight classes which negate the importance of size, and the length of matches/fights means that endurance becomes much more important.
As always, thanks for the content.