R.E.A.C.T.™ DEFENSE SYSTEMS
Tactical Black™ Krav Maga Training Center of Phoenix, Glendale and Chandler are the only facilities of their kind in Arizona. We are a full service training center dedicated to providing the finest self defense, fighting and fitness instruction in the world today.
We pride ourselves on having the best reality based training that simulates REAL LIFE CONFRONTATIONS. We don’t incorporate any training methods unless they are effective and practical to use in the street.
All our certified instructors have spent many years training to prefect methods that build an aggressive fighting mentality without sacrificing student safety.
Our instructional staff is certified by Krav Maga Worldwide™ and Chief Instructor, Jay Ackerman, including fully certified advanced law enforcement defensive tactics Instructors: Jay Ackerman and Josh Ackerman.
Students apply the relevant Krav Maga principles and techniques in a multitude of situations, even in unfamiliar or adverse circumstances, such as dark surroundings; from a sitting or lying position; with limited freedom or movement; or under extreme stress and/or fatigue. R.E.A.C.T.™ Adrenal Stress Training offers realistic scenario based training under stress.
In nine months I have never done the same workout, your staff always keeps things fresh, your facilities are top notch and everything is kept safe.It shows how much Jay, Josh and all of your instructors truly care about our progress and believe in Krav Maga™ as the best defense system as I do.
Ongoing training will instill:
- Confidence
- Street awareness skills on how to
avoid altercations - Better choices when dealing with conflict
- Anger and stress management
- How to avoid sexual assault
- How to use verbal skills to avoid
physical conflict - Spatial boundaries
- Interview process that criminals have
- How to be assertive not aggressive or
to passive - Rights of “Use of Force” to defend yourself
THE FIRST. THE ORIGINAL. THE ONLY.
R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ is the original and only Tactical Black™ Krav Maga Training Center in Arizona. Brought by Chief Instructor Jay Ackerman in 2001, this system uses simple principles and instinctive movements to teach real self defense in the shortest possible time.
R.D.S.™ is proud to display this symbol of excellence, dedication and hard work. We are honored to be part of a very select few who have been given this award.
ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS
R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ takes a great deal of pride when selecting their instructor candidates, all of whom are hand selected and certified by Chief Instructor, Jay Ackerman. There are no “weekend warrior” certification and graduates must undergo countless hours, months, and years perfecting their teaching methods with on-going education and training post certification. This guarantees the highest quality of training, the ability to build an aggressive fighting mentality, and never sacrificing student safety. That is why they are the best at what they do.
FOUNDER & CHIEF INSTRUCTOR, JAY ACKERMAN
Jay has been a martial arts and fitness entrepreneur for the past 30 years. He holds black belts in several martial arts, in which he started his training in 1977. He is the founder and Chief Instructor of Krav Maga and Fitness of Phoenix, Glendale and Chandler. As a fully certified Krav Maga Instructor and Advanced FORCE Training (civilian law enforcement) Instructor, Jay keeps quite busy with more than over 130 classes a week between locations.
Chief Instructor Jay Ackerman is the founder of both R.E.A.C.T. (Reality Environmental Adrenal Conditioning Training) Defense Systems™ and Tactical Black™. These two systems place an emphasis on hand-to-hand combat, weapon defenses, weapon retention, firearms safety, and environmental scenario based training, making them one of the most advanced self-defense systems in the world today.
As an experienced ACE certified Group Fitness and Personal Trainer for the last 20+ years, Jay developed our A.L.E.E.T. 24™ (Advanced Level Explosive Endurance Training) program. This trademarked system of sports specific-training is used to train professional athletes, law enforcement, military, and the average person who wants to lose weight and get into incredible shape.
Jay has spent many years training and teaching full-contact fighting. Under Jays’ instruction and direction, the school was named Krav Maga Worldwide™ School of the Year in 2005 and again in 2007. He also received the Humanitarian Award in ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’14 and 2015 for his efforts in training law enforcement and raising money for the STOP Cancer / Marni Levine Fund.
MEET THE TEAM
Jenna’s specialty will bring a new level of expertise to the A.L.E.E.T. 24™ 90-Day Fitness Challenge.
Jenna is also a certified R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ Tactical Black™ Krav Maga Instructor.
Josh is Head Instructor and co-owner of Phoenix and Glendale. He is a fully certified Tactical Black Krav Maga, Advanced Force training instructor as well as a co-creator of the A.L.E.E.T.™, Tactical Black™, and R.E.A.C.T.™ training programs. Josh is also a NRA and CCW certified firearms instructor.
In 2009 he was honored to receive from Chief Instructor, Jay Ackerman, a master certification in R.E.A.C.T.™ Defense for over 2000 hours of teaching and instruction.
In 2011, Josh received a Founders certificate from Chief Instructor, Jay Ackerman, for his contribution to the development of Tactical Black™. Josh has mastered the principles while successfully teaching our military, law enforcement and civilian community for the past 10 years.
In 2016, Josh was honored with his 5th Degree Black Belt certification from R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ Tactical Black™ and has acquired over 15,000 hours of teaching time and instruction. He remains heavily involved with the development of the Tactical Black™ system and has dedicated the last 15 years to the safety and training of our military, law enforcement, civilians, and to our annual charity event, Rock for the Cure.
With his wife Lisa, Michael owns and is the Head Instructor of the Chandler training center, and a partner of the Ackerman family. He is a certified R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ Tactical Black™ Krav Maga Instructor. He is an NRA certified firearms instructor and range safety officer, as well as a CCW firearms instructor. Michael is also a nutrition specialist certified through AASDN.
For more than 20 years, Michael worked in the business sectors of international logistics and corporate banking. Specializing in complex IT solution design and implementation, he led multinational teams on initiatives for Fortune 100 and 500 companies.
Michael takes the safety of his students personally, continually striving to give them the highest level of capability to protect themselves and their families.
Michael holds a master’s degree in international business. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, specializing in secure communications and cryptologic technologies. Michael grew up working in his family’s industrial construction/mechanical business.
In July of 2016, Michael was honored with R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ Tactical Black™ 4th Degree Black Belt certification. For the past 10 years, Michael has worked to master the principles of R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ Tactical Black™ program, earning more than 10,000 hours of teaching time and instruction. Michael is also an active participant in community service and our annual charity event, Rock for the Cure.
While Lara maintains a lighthearted spirit on the mats, do not be hoodwinked by this tiny package! Her current titles include “The Nutcracker,” “Drill Sergeant” and “deceptively fierce” has been whispered among many.
Lara received her Tactical Black™ certification in 2011 and her Lifestyle and Fitness Expert certification in 2013.
In July of 2016, Lara was honored with R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ Tactical Black™ 4th Degree Black Belt certification. For the past 10 years, Lara has worked to master the principles of R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ Tactical Black™ program, earning more than 10,000 hours of teaching time and instruction. Lara is also an active participant in community service and our annual charity event, Rock for the Cure.
Tony received his Tactical Black™ certification in 2011 and his Lifestyle and Fitness Expert certification in 2013.
In July of 2016, Tony was honored with R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ Tactical Black™ 4th Degree Black Belt certification. For the past 10 years, Tony has worked to master the principles of R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ Tactical Black™ program, earning more than 10,000 hours of teaching time and instruction. Tony is also an active participant in community service and our annual charity event, Rock for the Cure.
Wes received his Tactical Black™ certification in 2011 and his Lifestyle and Fitness Expert certification in 2013. In December of 2016, Wes was awarded his Second Degree Black belt in Tactical Black™ for 5000 hours of instruction and training.
In 1994, Eddie was promoted to Police Sergeant with a Patrol assignment in the Mountain View Precinct where he served as a Field Training Supervisor, training new recruits out of the Police Academy. In 1998, Eddie returned to the Organized Crime Bureau as a Night Gang Enforcement Unit Sergeant where he supervised crime suppression operations, warrant service and myriad of investigations including homicides, aggravated assaults, robberies and home invasions. He continued to serve in the Unit during its transfer to the Tactical Support Bureau and Violent Crimes Bureau.
In 2003 Eddie began training at R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™ recognizing the exceptional value of this system as it rates to law enforcement. Several members of the Phoenix Police Department’s Gang Enforcement Unit participated in training presented by Chief Instructor Jay Ackerman and his staff. Officers participated in drills enhancing their hand to hand combat skills against multiple attackers, weapon retention skills, weapon defenses and numerous life saving skills.
In March 2016, Eddie retired from active duty with the Phoenix Police Department after 32 years of service. He is currently assigned as a reserve officer in the Reserve Division of the Department. He continues to regularly train in the R.E.A.C.T. Defense Systems™. Ed received his black belt in Tactical Black™ in 2014.