Here is what people are saying about
ETS360 and Doug Hicks
Here is what people are saying about
ETS360 and Doug Hicks
“Training with Doug over the past year has been an awesome experience. His style is direct, no-nonsense, and super hands on, which really works for me. He doesn’t just teach you moves and techniques; he teaches you how to think and react in real-life situations. Every lesson is packed with practical skills you can actually use, and nothing feels like filler.
I’ve learned so much, from striking and movement to awareness and how to stay calm under pressure. I feel way more confident in my ability to handle myself if something were to go down, and that confidence carries over into everyday life too.
He also starts his training with a very strong foundation, focusing on movement, breathing, and the overall physiology of the human body and not making unnecessary movements. He also has his own style, in that he’s not rooted in just one style like karate, or taekwondo, but he combines many different styles and techniques together to form a system that is practical, and applicable for real life use.”
“Doug has a scientific approach to unarmed self defense and relies on principles rather than a ‘style’. He is effective at transferring skills to his students.”
“Practical self defense … roots in traditional martial arts, but presented in a contemporary framework with real world scenarios. If you're looking for a place to learn practical self defense, this is the place to go.”
“A wonderful blend of Systema, Tai Chi, Grappling, Traditional Asian striking arts, and Modern Combatives … brings realism and context … legal and otherwise, of a use of force encounter.”
“Blends practical forms of self defense … builds upon practical fundamentals … student gets an understanding of foundational body kinesiology … knowledge gained here is highly valuable, well taught and beneficial to anyone.”
“Then I met Mr. Doug Hicks … He offers insight to a lifetime of knowledge. He’s like my Mr. Miyagi … You’ll learn a lot more here than most other places … Classes are personal, practical and introduce a certain skill set that will last you for the rest of your life.”
“Regardless of your experience level … Doug’s ability to provide an experience that you will remember … combative art forms practiced … practical to the modern times, yet rooted in traditional arts … someone you don’t want to miss out on.”
“Took my formal karate training and made it quicker, more fluid, and punching power more devastating. His classes had no hidden ‘secrets’… every class focused on technique, application and slow sparring in real everyday scenario.”
“I've trained martial arts under Doug's instruction for many years, and plan on training as often and as long as I can. Solid recommendation from me to learn martial arts. Thank you.”
“I hired Doug to come to our office weekly, to teach our group of five adult men self-defense. I figured it would be a great team-building experience, and educational. It was everything I hoped it would be, and really helped cement our team.
Doug always showed up on time, and we quickly got down to business. Doug made it very clear that he was there to teach us, and he needed our undivided attention. Doug really opened our eyes to how dangerous a knife-wielding attacker is, and how to deal with such a situation, as well as disabling an attacker who has a firearm.
It was not just physical, although technique was a big part of his training. Doug also taught us how to verbally approach a threat, as well as how much physical force is allowed, without overdoing it. Doug also taught us situational awareness, and how important it is to avoid finding yourself in a bad situation in the first place.
Every one of us felt more self-confidant after Doug’s training. I especially appreciated how to take someone down with leverage. Doug’s fee was very reasonable, and I am glad we hired him.”
“Doug is a highly effective instructor. I have been training with him regularly for a long time and learned both practical techniques as well as overall mindset for solving problems beyond self defense. Doug’s experience in martial arts combined with his clever approaches to nuanced problem resolution have proven to be high leverage in meetings, negotiations, and other business situations.”
“He taught me a few basic things that really helped me in my personal situation. He is an incredible teacher … gave me (a young, petite woman) the confidence and know-how to take care of myself when I really needed to.”
“I’ve learned so much, from striking and movement to awareness and how to stay calm under pressure. I feel way more confident in my ability to handle myself if something were to go down, and that confidence carries over into everyday life too.”
“They really liked the class. When they got home they demonstrated some of the defensive moves and shared some excellent awareness tips I had not considered. They said you were patient and that the activities were engaging and fun. Both felt it was time well spent gaining valuable knowledge.
Thank you for your patience in getting this set up and for working with me! I am truly thankful for this experience for my kids.”
“If you're serious about improving your understanding of martial arts—not just collecting techniques—it's worth taking a look at what Doug has built.
In an industry where there is no shortage of opinions, Doug consistently stands out as one of the most thoughtful, analytical, and intelligent martial artists I know. His work reflects years of careful study, testing, and refinement, and it shows in the quality of his instruction.
Doug's new website brings together a collection of exceptionally well-designed programs that are practical, systematic, and built to develop genuine understanding rather than superficial skill. Whether you're an instructor, experienced practitioner, or simply someone who values intelligent training, you'll find a great deal of substance there.
Doug, congratulations on the launch. I wish you every success and look forward to seeing even more people benefit from the work you've put into creating such an outstanding resource.”
“One of the things I really value about training with Doug is the time we spend just talking, whether it is about life, mindset, and how to approach challenges. Those conversations have stuck with me just as much as the physical training. He’s not just a great teacher; he’s someone you genuinely learn from on multiple levels and enjoy spending time with.
If you’re looking for real-world self-defense from someone who knows what they’re doing and tells it like it is, Doug’s the guy.”
