Coach John Titchen has unique experience across a variety of educational fields and an international reputation as a martial arts author for his book Heian Flow System: Effective Karate Kata Bunkai, and as a writer on personal safety. In addition to his teaching commitments across the UK, he currently writes for the internationally acclaimed ezine Jissen. As Lead Instructor at DART John continues to research and develop new psychological and physical defence strategies and coaching methods to ensure that those training with him receive the best instruction possible to make their lives safer.

Training Background

John began his formal martial arts training training in Shotokan Karate in 1991 and first began teaching karate in 1993 as an assistant instructor. He gained his first Shodan (Black Belt) in Shotokan Karate with ESKA in 1995. He now has 17 years experience of teaching in the field of martial arts and self protection, including teaching in the USA. An early experience of cross training whet his appetite for exploring Karate in greater depth and he has since trained with a wide range of leading martial artists in diverse styles. He has gained direct experience through seminars and classes of the following systems: Shotokan Karate, Aikido, Kyushu Jitsu, Wado Ryu Karate, Inayan Escrima, Judo, Ju Jitsu, Krav Maga, Protectics Karate Jutsu, Ryukyu Kempo, Tai Chi Chuan, Steelwire Mantis, Systema, Wing Chun, S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM™ and Ao Denkou Jitsu. John has always had a passion for research, and in addition to his successful book Heian Flow System was able to share his knowledge in interviews with Combat Magazine and Martial Arts Planet and as a popular regular columnist for Traditional Karate Magazine.

In 1999, John embarked upon a detailed study of the patterns of habitual acts of violence (HAOV) that made his training and teaching more relevant to Violent Crime. This lead to the creation of the Heian Flow System in 2004. This research significantly improved his students, but it became clear that realistic full force simulations were required in order to pressure test existing drills as a quality management procedure. These developments resulted in a complete redevelopment of his syllabus in the first half of 2006, and the rebranding of his Practical Karate as Defence Attack & Resolution Tactics (DART) in July 2006. Elements of coaching and psychological training were adopted from outside the martial arts; the challenge by choice, Neuro Linguistic Programming and Fear Management techniques used in DART were developed from research and training in the field of Rope Course Development. In September 2006 DART began to use Blauer Tactical Systems' High Gear™ suits in addition to its other protective equipment as a tool for scenario training to ensure that its students had the most versatile and PPE then available. In April 2007 John became a Personal Defence Readiness™ Coach with Blauer Tactical Systems (BTS) in the USA, so he could teach S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM™ Basics alongside his own syllabus in his regular classes. In December 2008 John decided to resign his position as a Personal Defence Readiness™ Coach to focus more on the teaching of DART. In 2010, in recognition of his achievements in the martial arts, he was asked to become a National Tutor for the United Kingdom Martial Arts Alliance.

Personal

Outside his work in the Personal Safety Industry John has experience in teaching at both primary, middle and secondary schools as well as at university and in the military and has Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). John has been both an RLSS Lifeguard, an Army qualified Obstacle Course Instructor (Garrison) and a qualified Fitness Instructor (Level II). He is currently a Qualified Weapons Instructor (WI(C)) with the RAF Voluntary Reserve Training Branch and both a RCD Low Ropes and High Ropes Confidence Course Instructor as well as being a First Aid at Work Trainer, Heartstart UK Emergency Life Support Trainer and Scenario Trainer. John is registered as a Qualified Teacher with the Institute for Learning, which is the professional body for teachers, trainers and assessors across further education (FE), including adult and community learning, emergency and public services, FE colleges, the armed services, the voluntary sector and work-based learning. In addition to this he has enhanced CRB clearance, current HSE approved First Aid at Work qualifications and up to date training in Child Protection. In his spare time he works as a senior Officer in the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve Training Branch and is the Commanding Officer of the largest state school Combined Cadet Force in the United Kingdom.