About
What Makes Us Unique
Advanced Fighting Systems teaches women and men, from beginners through experts, the emotional, mental, and physical techniques they need to thrive in today’s world. Whether you’re young or old, a couch potato or in tip-top shape, we can design a program specifically for you to ensure you reach (and exceed!) your own personal goals.
Get the street survival tactics you need to take down any threat. Most classes and instructors available today focus solely on your physical body. They teach actions, techniques, and exercises.
However, the emotional aspects of fighting are even more important. With AFS, you learn to control your mind and emotions, as well. This enhances every aspect of your daily life, whether you’re at work, dealing with your kids, or commuting to work in bumper-to-bumper traffic. We focus on the whole you.
Our women’s self-defense instruction will help make sure you emerge victorious if you happen to join the 2.5 billion women worldwide who find themselves confronting a physical or sexual attacker.
What Our Customers Say...
Training with Dave has made a huge difference in my self-confidence and my ability to defend myself. My occupation/career is in the Security field, and I am currently studying to go into law enforcement, so being able to effectively defend myself is crucial. I have trained in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, American Kenpo, and Tae Kwon Do but the system Dave teaches works the best for me - hands down.
Justin Meade ​
Thanks for the great lesson and awesome workout! Slept like a rock! Out of all the systems I've studied, this is the only one that is training for the reality of what happens in the street. I look forward to many more lessons!
John T. Stamm ​
Just when you think you have seen everything, Sifu Dave Durch will come along and just completely blow your mind! This guy has a solution for any situation.
Joe
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Our Journey
Dave Durch started training in the martial arts as a 15-year-old boy for the same reasons most young boys want to learn martial arts: to become some big tough guy who garners respect.
Of course, that is not what training and fighting is about. He learned that early on in his journey. Being able to control your mind and your emotions is more important than being able to kick butt!
You need to be able to stay calm and in control, even when things are coming at you from all directions. You need to train your mind as well as your body. This allows you to control your emotions and, hopefully, calmly walk away. But, when walking away isn’t an option, you need to be able to triumph if you do have to fight.
Over the course of 5 decades, Dave Durch has helped countless men and women improve their health and fitness, take control of their mental states, and learn the most efficient self-defense and street survival tactics.
Bruce Lee
"Like any art, martial arts is ultimately self-knowledge. A punch or kick is not to knock the hell out of the guy in front of you, but to knock the hell out of your ego, your fear, or your hang-ups. Once that is clear, then you can express yourself freely.
Meet Dave Durch
“If a man is to shed the light of the sun upon other men, he must first of all have it within himself.”
- Romain Rolland
When you want to learn, you seek the most knowledgeable, experienced teacher. You won't find a teacher more qualified than Sifu Dave Durch. Dave has studied and taught martial arts, street fighting, and self-defense for over 50 years.
His teaching style is the hallmark of all great teachers throughout history: He doesn't just teach, he inspires. Dave coaches you to find your own greatness deep within and bring it forth to shine as a beacon for all.
Dave has taught thousands of students over the years, and he is also an accomplished actor, producer, director, stuntman, and writer. Be sure to check him out on IMDB.
If you prefer specifics, here are a few of Dave’s accomplishments:
Training
Special Projects
Awards
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