Confidential · Authorized Staff Only

ETR Internal Instructor Guide

Internal Instructor Guide

Confidential · Internal Training Team Only

Internal Instructor Guide

Schedule flow, teaching priorities, safety language, working notes, and debrief capture for the instructor team.

Instructor operating priorities. Keep the weekend moving, keep points of instruction short, keep points of safety visible, and capture issues while they are fresh.

Confidential. For Coach Blauer and authorized ETR training staff only. Do not copy, distribute, or share outside the training team without permission.

Weekend Flow

The operating rhythm

Timing blocks, transitions, course blocks, and operational reminders are listed below for quick reference.

FRIDAY7:00–9:00 p.m.

Welcome, intros, fear question, Fear as Fuel preview, expectations, and Human Weapon System reminder. Keep the evening simple and personal.

SATURDAY8:30 a.m. arrival · 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. training · 6:00 p.m. dinner

Human Weapon framing, SPEAR progressions, awareness, posture, verbal skills, Timeline of Violence, application work, dinner, reflection, and Sunday setup.

SUNDAY 8:30 A.M.Nick Blauer

Separate special presentation block with Nick. Do not group this into the formal SPEAR ETR training block.

SUNDAY 9:00 A.M.Formal SPEAR ETR Training

SPEAR Arsenal, advanced concepts, scenario integration, emotional climate training, final physical work, Q&A, and wrap-up.

SUNDAY NOTESBetween Blocks and End-of-Day

Capture transition issues, questions to revisit, POS adjustments, and follow-up items in the dedicated note areas.

Operating Reminders

5D'S
Describe, Demo, Dissect, Drill, Debrief.
POI
Keep points of instruction short and connected to the current block.
POS
Keep points of safety visible before physical work begins.
CUEING TRIAGE
Pick the most important cue. We can't give private lessons during group classes.
HWS
Reference the Human Weapon System as the at-home review resource.

Standard POS Language

PARTNERS
Same-size partners whenever possible.
ALIGNMENT
Drills are left-on-left or right-on-right.
REALITY
This is for training safety. In a real fight they cannot choose opponent size or side.
THROAT
Always protect the throat. No throat contact.
MOVEMENT
Nobody moves until the drill is safe and communication is clear.

Professionalism / Attire / Schedule Discipline

ATTIRE
Match the block: casual where appropriate, clean training clothes during physical blocks, professional appearance throughout the weekend.
SCHEDULE
Shawn coordinates timing, transitions, and schedule changes. Stay aware of the current block and avoid dragging one section into the next.
PRESENCE
Be early, be prepared, know the next block, and avoid side conversations that pull attention from the group.
COMMUNICATION
Keep trainer-to-trainer corrections discreet. Use clear handoffs and avoid creating confusion in front of attendees.

Course Blocks and Working Notes

Run the weekend cleanly

Each block has the objective, core content, POI, POS, checkpoint, and a working note area. The web notes save in this browser only; the PDF keeps clean ruled lines for printing.

FRIDAY · EVENING BLOCK

Welcome, Intros, and Setting the Stage

7:00–9:00 PMCasual

Objective: Open the weekend, build the room, and set expectations without turning the evening into a full teaching block.

Checkpoint

Attendees understand the weekend will move fast, the group is small, and the Human Weapon System is their at-home reference.

Core Content

  • Meet-and-greet
  • Introductions
  • Why each person came
  • Fear question
  • Fear as Fuel preview
  • Weekend expectations

POI

  • Use the 5D's whenever possible: Describe, Demo, Dissect, Drill, Debrief.
  • Keep the evening simple and personal.
  • Reference the Human Weapon System video as a resource they already received.

POS

  • No physical drilling unless the group is clearly briefed and safe.
  • If anything physical is previewed, protect the throat and maintain communication before movement.

SATURDAY · MORNING BLOCK

Discovering the Human Weapon

MorningTraining Clothes

Objective: Introduce the Human Weapon / SPEAR frame and begin moving through the first physical progressions.

Checkpoint

Before lunch, attendees have had a clear first experience of the SPEAR frame and know where the Human Weapon System resource fits.

Core Content

  • Human Weapon framing
  • SPEAR System® overview
  • ACP: Awareness, Consent, Preparation
  • Neurobiology / startle-flinch frame
  • SPEAR Sharpening
  • SPEAR Strengthening
  • SPEAR Flow Drills
  • Natural Weapons
  • Target acquisition
  • Narration Drill

POI

  • Use the 5D's: Describe, Demo, Dissect, Drill, Debrief.
  • Keep POI short; most attendees do not have a deep SPEAR background.
  • Reference the Human Weapon System video when cueing familiar concepts.

POS

  • Same-size partners whenever possible.
  • Drills are left-on-left or right-on-right.
  • Always protect the throat. There is to be no throat contact.
  • Nobody moves until the drill is safe and communication is clear.

SATURDAY · AFTERNOON BLOCK

Application and Awareness

AfternoonTraining Clothes

Objective: Continue the physical progressions and connect them to awareness, posture, verbal skills, and the Timeline of Violence.

Checkpoint

Attendees can connect posture, language, and movement to the Timeline of Violence at a basic level.

Core Content

  • Nonviolent Postures
  • Mirror Drills
  • CWCT
  • Range Rover Drill
  • AIR Drills
  • Partner drills
  • BOB work
  • Off-balance / on purpose
  • Timeline of Violence
  • Pre-contact / contact / post-contact
  • Choice Speech
  • NVP integration

POI

  • Use the 5D's: Describe, Demo, Dissect, Drill, Debrief.
  • Keep each progression tied to the outline and current block.
  • Use POI reminders rather than long explanations.

POS

  • Same-size partners whenever possible.
  • Left-on-left or right-on-right for drilling.
  • Explain that this is for training safety; in a real fight they cannot choose the size of the opponent or ask to be attacked on their good side.
  • Protect the throat. No throat contact.

SATURDAY · DINNER BLOCK

Dinner and Deeper Insight

EveningCasual

Objective: Use the dinner block for connection, reflection, and Sunday setup.

Checkpoint

The team has a short list of items to clarify or revisit Sunday morning.

Core Content

  • Dinner / social time
  • Day 1 reflection
  • Cycle of Behavior®
  • Questions for Sunday

POI

  • Keep the conversation useful and connected to the weekend.
  • Capture questions, issues, or confusion for Sunday.
  • Remind attendees they have the Human Weapon System as a resource after the retreat.

POS

  • No physical drilling during the dinner block unless specifically planned and briefed.
  • Capture any injury, comfort, or pacing concerns from Day 1.

SUNDAY · NICK BLAUER BLOCK · 8:30 AM

Special Presentation with Nick Blauer

8:30 a.m.Training Clothes

Objective: Keep Nick's Sunday-morning presentation distinct from the formal 9:00 a.m. SPEAR ETR training block.

Checkpoint

Nick's block is complete and the group is ready for the 9:00 a.m. formal SPEAR ETR training start.

Core Content

  • Nick Blauer special presentation
  • Neck / hips / back reset
  • Posture and movement preparation
  • Clean transition into the 9:00 a.m. training block

POI

  • Keep the setup clean and punctual.
  • Do not blend this block into the formal SPEAR ETR training block.
  • Protect the timing of the 9:00 a.m. training transition.

POS

  • No rushing the presentation or warm-up.
  • Watch fatigue from Saturday.
  • Communicate discomfort early and adjust as needed.

SUNDAY · MORNING BLOCK · 9:00 AM

SPEAR Arsenal and Advanced Concepts

MorningTraining Clothes

Objective: Move into the Sunday material while keeping the teaching accessible for attendees who are still new to SPEAR.

Checkpoint

Before scenarios, the group understands the setup, the safety rules, and the basic distinction between protective and preemptive action.

Core Content

  • Advanced SPEAR principles
  • Psychology of confrontation
  • Aggressor intent question
  • Timeline of Violence review
  • NVPs review
  • Protective vs. preemptive tactics
  • Hick's Law
  • Fitts' Law
  • SPEAR Arsenal
  • Dynamic drills
  • Clear > Control > Counter
  • Gun / knife threat applications
  • Q&A

POI

  • Use the 5D's: Describe, Demo, Dissect, Drill, Debrief.
  • Keep Q&A tied to the block and the weekend map.
  • Reference the Human Weapon System where it helps attendees continue learning after the retreat.

POS

  • Same-size partners whenever possible.
  • Left-on-left or right-on-right for drilling.
  • Protect the throat. No throat contact.
  • Nobody moves until the drill is safe and communication is clear.

SUNDAY · AFTERNOON BLOCK

Scenario Integration and Emotional Climate

AfternoonTraining Clothes

Objective: Integrate the weekend material into scenario-based work while maintaining simple safety rules and clear communication.

Checkpoint

The group is ready for the final physical block with safety rules understood and communication clear.

Core Content

  • Group photo reminder
  • Original Dissonance Drill
  • Encroachment into SPEAR Stance
  • Stage One: sternum–pec–clavicle setup, pause, safety check
  • Stage Two: SPEAR Flow with NVP integration
  • Scenario training
  • Timeline of Violence application
  • Emotional Climate Training

POI

  • Use the 5D's: Describe, Demo, Dissect, Drill, Debrief.
  • Set a reminder for the group photo before people scatter or change.
  • Keep scenario instructions clear and brief.

POS

  • Same-size partners whenever possible.
  • Left-on-left or right-on-right for drilling.
  • Explain again that this is for training safety; in a real fight they cannot choose opponent size or attacking side.
  • Protect the throat. No throat contact.
  • Nobody moves until the drill is safe and communication is clear.

SUNDAY · FINAL PHYSICAL BLOCK

Mini Scenario Culmination / Fighting O-Course

Late AfternoonTraining Clothes

Objective: Run the final physical integration block using the planned stations and the same POI/POS structure.

Checkpoint

Final block is completed, issues are captured, and the team is ready for closing Q&A and wrap-up.

Core Content

  • Station 1: NVP skills / posture / situational management / verbal alignment
  • Station 2: SPEAR Flow
  • Station 3: BOB dummy: NVP → SPEAR → CWCT → SPEAR Stance
  • Station flow
  • Reset and debrief

POI

  • Use the 5D's: Describe, Demo, Dissect, Drill, Debrief.
  • Keep station instructions short.
  • Debrief enough for learning without overloading the end of the weekend.

POS

  • Same-size partners whenever possible.
  • Left-on-left or right-on-right for drilling.
  • Protect the throat. No throat contact.
  • Nobody moves until the drill is safe and communication is clear.
  • Document any injury, issue, or follow-up concern.

SUNDAY · CLOSING BLOCK

Final Q&A, Coaching, and Wrap-Up

ClosingAs Appropriate

Objective: Close the weekend, answer remaining questions, direct attendees back to their resources, and capture follow-up needs.

Checkpoint

Attendees leave with clear next steps and the team has captured operational notes.

Core Content

  • Final Q&A
  • Individual feedback where appropriate
  • Group debrief
  • Human Weapon System reminder
  • KNOW FEAR® reminder
  • Group interviews if time permits
  • Final injury / issue check

POI

  • Keep closing clean and practical.
  • Point attendees back to the Human Weapon System and KNOW FEAR® resources for at-home review.
  • Capture follow-up items before the team breaks down.

POS

  • Confirm no unresolved injuries or safety concerns.
  • Document follow-up needs.

Daily Run Quality Checklist

Stop / Reset Triggers

THROAT CONTACT
Stop, reset, restate POS, and re-pair if needed.
SPEED EXCEEDS CONTROL
Slow the drill down and re-establish communication.
SIZE MISMATCH
Re-pair or modify the drill.
CONFUSION
Stop, Describe, Demo, Dissect, then Drill again.
EMOTIONAL OVERLOAD
Pause, communicate, and adjust the role, speed, or partner.

Final Trainer Checklist

Post-Event Team Debrief

Capture what needs to improve

Use this after the final block while the weekend is still fresh. Keep it practical and operational.

What worked well

What dragged or ran long

Where attendees struggled

Safety reminders that need tightening

Schedule adjustments for next ETR

Attendees requiring follow-up

Equipment / space / staffing notes

Photo / interview / media follow-up

Recommended changes before next retreat

Confidential · ETR Internal Instructor Guide · Authorized Training Staff Only

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