Combatives at the Lake 2026

A Collaborative Integrated Training Retreat

Integrated Combatives, defensive firearms and medical training - built around community, not personality.

Train. Connect. Refine.

Double Springs, Alabama

Integrated Combatives Community

Combatives at the Lake brings together instructors and practitioners from across multiple disciplines and academies.

Why This Event Exists

Combatives at the Lake brings serious students and instructors together in a shared environment to train across the full spectrum of civilian violence management.

The lake house, on-site matted training space, and nearby private range function as a single integrated environment. The result is less friction, more training time, deeper learning, and stronger relationships than a typical weekend class — where everyone drives home after dinner.

What Makes This Different?

Instructors train alongside students

Small-group learning over lecture

Shared environment accelerates development

Community is part of the curriculum

The Collaborative Model

Combatives at the Lake is intentionally collaborative.

Some instructors teach blocks. Others attend as student-coaches and high-quality training partners. Some do both.

Both new and experienced practitioners are welcome.

Titles matter less than contribution. If you show up prepared, engaged, and willing to train, you add value.

Integrated Combatives includes:

Strategies for managing unknown contacts 

Managing space and time with language and movement

Legally justifiable, socially acceptable use of force.

Clinch and ground problem-solving for armed citizens

Defensive use of empty hands, less-lethal tools, edged weapons and firearms

Medical considerations for violent encounters

Survival mindset for urban and austere environments

Specific instructors and emphasis vary by event.

Who This is For

  • Responsible armed citizens

  • Practitioners who already train

  • Instructors and serious students seeking integration

  • Not designed as a beginner introduction to firearms.

  • Armed and Unarmed Combatives

  • Defensive use of Firearms

  • Urban and Wilderness Survival

  • Tac Medicine Hemorrhage Control

Resort Training Destination
Lewis Smith Reservoir

This environment supports the training - proximity, privacy and shared space eliminate friction and increase learning density.

All-Inclusive Training Event

  • Sleep

    On-site shared lodging with coaches and training partners

  • Eat

    Group meals catered or cooked in a full kitchen and outdoor cook house

  • Decompress

    Responsibly enjoy adult social time with your training partners and coaches

  • Camaraderie

    Intentional downtime to build relationships, decompress and connect

  • Mat Space / Classroom

    Multi-purpose large area with 2” mats and a dedicated full bathroom.

  • Private Range

    Large graveled pistol bay and a rifle lane with steel targets out to 140 yards.

  • Optional: Fishing

    Brush piles, fish lights, fish feeder and shade are attractive to game fish.

  • Optional: Swimming

    Enjoy the remarkably clean waters of Lewis Smith Reservoir!

Event Registration

Combatives at the Lake is an immersive retreat experience that includes training, lodging, and shared meals. Pricing reflects the scale, duration, and seasonal costs of each event.

Attendance is strictly limited.

2/20-22/2026 (SOLD OUT!)

4/24-26/2026 - Registration Open!

7/17-19/2026 - Early Bird Registration Open!

Fall, 2026 (Schedule TBD)

Integrated Combatives Instructors and Coaches

Inquire about collaborative participation

Community of Coaches

  • Jay Martin

    Owner - Jay Martin Combatives
    Retired U.S. Army Ranger
    Combatives University Black Belt
    BJJ Black Belt

  • Chris Magyar

    Owner - The Firearms Concierge
    BJJ Purple Belt
    Combatives University Green Belt
    USPSA Production A-Class

  • Jeff Thornton

    Retired Coast Guard
    Combatives Grey Belt
    Search&Rescue / Survival Expert
    Karate Black Belts

  • Kim Dees

    Co-Owner - Modern Martial Arts Family and Fitness Center
    Active Duty U,S, Army
    BJJ Black Belt
    Combatives University Black Belt

  • Aaron AJ Jamison

    Owner - Valkyries Austere Medical Solutions
    Retired U,S, Army
    Tactical Medicine Savant
    NREMT-P

  • Chris Mize

    Owner - Heroes Martial Arts Academy
    3rd Degree BJJ Black Belt
    Civilian Tactical (C-Tac) Instructor
    Combat Submiossion Wrestling Coach

  • Chris Bowlin

    Coach - Heroes Martial Arts Academy
    BJJ Black Belt
    Combatives University Green Belt
    MMA Coach

  • Don Bowen

    Owner - Bowen Combative Arts
    Retired U.S. Army Green Beret
    Combatives Black Belt
    BJJ (3rd) & Judo (2nd) Degree Black Belt

  • Sam Burns

    Owner - Arsenal BJJ and Hairless Ape Conspiracy
    Retired LEO 27yrs, Vet
    BJJ Black Belt, Striking Coach

  • Corey James “Panther” Richardson

    Owner - Gulf Coast Jiu Jitsu
    BJJ Black Belt
    Kickboxing Instructor

  • This Could Be You!

    Are you teaching material relevant to Integrated Combatives?
    Are you a skilled practitioner?
    Contact us!

Participation of specific instructors and coaches will vary by event

Host and Collaborators

This event is being hosted by Chris Magyar in collaboration with Jay Martin (Jay Martin Combatives), Jeff Thornton and other invited instructors.

Operated by the Firearms Concierge, LLC