SOAR Training: Army Combatives with Mr. Mendez

Mr. Calvert will be out this week; therefore, we will have an exception week in our regular training cycle. Mr. Mendez will lead an Army Combatives class on Tuesday and Thursday. He is a Level 4 Modern Army Combatives instructor, and he will select and supervise the material for both sessions. Thank you, Mr. Mendez

Army Combatives approaches close-range training through posture, movement, position, control, and deliberate decision-making. The goal for our students is not to collect techniques, but to build a safe progression, protect a partner, and keep useful movement under pressure.

Class will begin with safety expectations and individual movement before adding cooperative partner practice. Mr. Mendez will determine which positions, escapes, or related skills are appropriate for the students present. Resistance and pace will increase only when he authorizes them.

Students should listen closely, follow assigned roles, and reset immediately when posture or control breaks down. Tap or use the assigned stop signal early. A responsible partner releases at once and never treats a cooperative drill as a contest.

As you train, ask yourself: Am I balanced? Do I understand my role? Am I protecting my partner? Can I move without unnecessary tension?

Bring your dobok, water, and a learning attitude. Fingernails and toenails should be trimmed, jewelry removed, and long hair secured. Tell Mr. Mendez about any limitation before training begins.

School App Update

DojangFlow is the school app for attendance, progress tracking, Study Guides, and required written tests. Students and parents who have not activated access should ask Mr. Calvert for another invitation email. Existing students and parents can use https://dojangflow.base44.app/. The Learning Center includes rank-based written-test practice, basic Korean study, and WTSDA tournament-rule review. Updated Study Guides are under Resources -> School Resources.

Weekly Conditioning

This week’s take-home plan uses strength, endurance, mobility, base, hip movement, and controlled floor-to-standing practice to prepare for supervised Army Combatives instruction. Use the page for your rank and adjust the physical load to your current readiness.

Partner combatives belongs under qualified supervision with the technique, pace, and resistance set by the instructor.

Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude – SOAR!