About Florida Defensive Training
Florida Defensive Training (FDT) has established itself as a premier self-defense academy in Miami, combining comprehensive combat instruction with practical firearms training and medical preparedness. With an exceptional 5-star rating from nearly 1,500 reviews, the facility distinguishes itself through its holistic approach to personal defense - integrating firearm safety, hand-to-hand combatives, physical conditioning, emergency medical training, and critical legal and ethical considerations into a cohesive curriculum.
The academy’s foundation rests on over 30 years of real-world experience, with instructors like Malik and Carlos bringing specialized expertise from military, law enforcement, and combat backgrounds. What consistently emerges from student reviews is the facility’s commitment to understanding the ‘why’ behind every technique, not just the mechanical execution. Students appreciate that FDT doesn’t treat self-defense as merely technical skill development, but as a comprehensive knowledge base that addresses firearm control, situational awareness, legal liability, and moral reasoning. This philosophical approach, combined with flexible curriculum levels accommodating different experience levels and budgets, explains the school’s strong reputation.
FDT’s training scope extends across five primary domains: firearms fundamentals and advanced shooting techniques, defensive tactics including boxing and ground defense, high-intensity conditioning programs, medical response training (tourniquet application, severe bleeding control, CPR), and scenario-based force-on-force training. The facility stands out for offering monthly live-fire training sessions and various specialized courses like concealed weapons licensing. The supportive, educational environment the academy has cultivated attracts individuals from all backgrounds seeking practical self-defense skills - whether first-time students learning basic firearm safety or advanced practitioners refining tactical proficiency. The approachable demeanor of instructors, combined with a genuinely supportive community atmosphere, removes the intimidation factor often associated with combat training while maintaining rigorous technical standards.