ATAC TV PRESENTS, Sonny Puzikas
Jim Fuller, ATAC Staff and Owner of Rifle Dynamics, Inc. writes of an experience after attending an advance training class last weekend in Arizona. The guys at ATAC are always looking at any new techniques and ideologies that others are willing to share, just as we share ATAC’s collective insights in firearms, knife, survival, outdoor preparedness fighting/training and electronic arenas. We continue non-stop to explore, learn and train in many different arts to expand our knowledge and skills. Instructor. Yes, but always a student!
Suarez International hosted “The Russian Spetsnaz Combat Week” featuring former Spetsnaz operator, Sonny Puzikas as the lead instructor. Below is an interesting class critique of Jim’s experience last weekend with Sonny Puzikas and Gabe Suarez.
I met Sonny several years ago. Many may have seen Sonny recently on The Deadliest Warrior TV show where he was matched against US Special Forces. Sonny also has a new training DVD out called “Beyond The Firearm 2. Sonny’s accomplishments are many, he has a long record of successful work/operations and IMO should be a model for how an Immigrant can come to America and not only embrace the American Dream but also be very successful in doing it. There is a lot to be learned from this talented man.
I wish I could have been there for the entire 4-day event, but I run a tight schedule lately building AK’s at Rifle Dynamics and the filming/staff duties at ATAC TV really keep a guy busy! Unfortunately I was only able to attend day 3 of this class. This was NOT a shooting class. The main focus of the training was physical conditioning and psychological concepts. Spetsnaz training is not for the meek or inexperienced.
Day 1 started with choke techniques for all the students and instructions to apply this knowledge on an adversary. Sonny was heard to say; “A man should not only know how to do choke someone out but what it’s like to have it done to you”. Sonny demonstrated more techniques with the possibilities of actually “breaking” the neck, if required by the situation.
Day 3 was all about ground fighting exercises, variations of firearm retention / disarms and shooting the adversary while “in the clinch”. One of the more interesting demonstrations showed how to survive being executed as a prisoner. He demonstrated this by having a student hold a gun (air soft pistol) to his forehead while he was on his knees about to be executed. Sonny rolled off the muzzle, took the executioner down, took his gun and simulated shooting him in the chest all in about 1.5 seconds. The student playing the executioner was told to press the trigger as soon as he started to move. The student was unable to get a hit at point blank range each time. He simply rolled off the muzzle and went for the take down. After an hour of training and drills all students were able to avoid being shot doing this exercise. It was not only a good exercise it was a great example of never letting your mindset fail you, even in the worst situations.
The students were LE, Military, and civilian with the average age being around 30. Some were in better physical condition than others but all performed well and left with a lot of good skills to practice. If you are over weight, out of shape or bruise easily I don’t recommend this class but at the same time you don’t have to be a 25-year-old MMA fighter to get something from this training. Our motto is “always a student” at ATAC.
This is down and very dirty fighting for the individual who wants to be a well rounded fighter. Spetsnaz training is yet another example of how small a part the gun plays in real life encounters with bad people. The fight is always more than just the gun and his classes are very much based in this mindset.
A must for the modern warrior!!
