Reviews of Austin Combatives & Self-Defense • Combat Systema & MMA

Great class and instructor. I highly recommend Herb and the material he teaches. He has an extremely broad background from which he draws. This includes hand to hand to training with deadly tools (training force on force versions) for legal self defense.

Herb is especially good with beginners and creating a basic, legal self defense framework. He will expand your "comfort" zone supportively. This needs to happen since dangerous threats, by definition, will do this automatically to gain whatever advantage they want over you.

If you are experienced or highly experienced in self defense combatives, you still will learn from him. His working knowledge base is enormous.

This is a class that focuses on real-world scenarios and behaviour to help its members go home safe. Attention is paid to methods to avoid getting into bad situations, as well as how to increase the chances of making it home in one piece. I have trained in a variety of styles, from what might be considered impractical on the street to classes that focus on resolving or avoiding conflicts as efficiently as possible. This is definitely in the latter category.

The instructors are helpful, and really more intent on making sure students get instruction that can help them versus a more dogmatic "everybody has to do the same thing" approach that some schools take. There are still guiding principles that help everyone get on the right path, but they'll take the time to help find methods that work best for an individuals needs.

Great facility and great group of individuals to train with. Herb is a genuinely sincere and caring instructor who practices what he preaches.

Great for men and women who want to train to survive a fight.

I have been training in martial arts for over 25 years, in a variety of disciplines. During this time I have met some good trainers, and also some not so good. Herb Martin is so high in my list of good trainers that I'd actually rate him as EXCELLENT. Mr. Martin definitely runs a good quality martial arts training group, offering realistic classes. I have trained with him several times over the years and can tell you that the material that he presents and the manner in which he presents it are very eye-opening. If you live in Austin and vicinity, don't miss your chance to get some of this great training!

Have known the instructor for several years. Great guy who knows what he's doing.

No nonsense personal defense training for adults. I like the no belts, no uniforms, just great training that is appropriate for me as an adult who doesn't get into playground fights and needs skills that I can use against younger and stronger attackers. The instruction totally compliments what I have already learned from concealed handgun training too.

Caveat: I coach this group.

An excellent group of practice partners run by a coach who is determined to help everyone learn how to better avoid and prevail against criminal attackers.

You can train at all levels from little or no contact to the maximum amount of force that can be SAFELY delivered to your (willing) partner.

Oppositional testing is ultimately the closes we can come to "reality" so the only limitations are techniques must work at FULL SPEED, against a FULLY RESISTING attacker, and you must send you training partners home safe.

If it can be trained safely then it is a 'legal technique'.