Poolesville Self Defense/Talon Jiujitsu

08/24/2026

NEW BACK TO SCHOOL SCHEDULE STARTS TODAY!

Starting August 24th, here's your new Poolesville Self Defense schedule:

**SUNDAY**
10:00–11:00am | Competition Training (invite-only, competitors)
11:00am–12:00pm | Open Rounds (18+)

**MONDAY**
4:15–5:00pm | Tumbling & Kids Fitness (Ages 4–12) | Coach Aparimita
5:00–5:45pm | Talon Martial Arts (Ages 12–17) | Coach Mark
5:45–6:45pm | BJJ Fundamentals (Ages 12+, beginner) | Coach Mark

**TUESDAY**
4:15–5:00pm | Talon Martial Arts (Ages 4–7) | Coach Adi
5:00–5:45pm | Talon Martial Arts (Ages 8–11) | Coach Adi & Coach Mark
6:00–6:45pm | BBT Sport Jiujitsu (invite-only) | Coach Mike
6:45–7:45pm | No-Gi Systems/CLA (Ages 18+, advanced) | Coach Nick

**WEDNESDAY**
4:15–5:00pm | Tumbling & Kids Fitness (Ages 4+) | Coach Aparimita
5:00–5:45pm | Talon Martial Arts (Ages 12–17) | Coach Mark
5:45–6:45pm | No-Gi Fundamentals (Ages 12+, beginner) | Coach Mark
6:45–7:45pm | Intro to Fight Conditioning & Combatives (Ages 12+, non-ranked) | Coach Mario

**THURSDAY**
4:15–5:00pm | Talon Martial Arts (Ages 4–7) | Coach Adi
5:00–5:45pm | Talon Martial Arts (Ages 8–11) | Coach Adi & Mark
6:00–6:45pm | BBT Sport Jiujitsu (invite-only) | Coach Mike
6:45–7:45pm | No-Gi Systems/CLA (Ages 18+, advanced) | Coach Julian

**FRIDAY**
5:00–5:45pm | Tumbling & Kids Fitness | Coach Aparimita

**SATURDAY**
9:00–9:45am | Talon Martial Arts (Ages 8–11) | Coach Mark
9:45–10:30am | Talon Martial Arts (Ages 12–17) | Coach Mark
10:30–11:30am | BJJ Fundamentals (Ages 12+, beginner) | Coach Mark
11:30am–12:30pm | Fight Simulation (Ages 12+, invite-only) | Coach Tom
12:30pm+ | Open Mat (Ages 18+ or BBT invite)

**Note:** Uniform and boxing gloves are required for all Talon Martial Arts classes.

All new classes are included in your membership. See psd.gymdesk.com/schedule or contact us with questions.

Mat skills are life skills.

Coach Mark
Poolesville Self Defense
240-418-2856
[email protected]

Poolesville& #039;s only martial arts studio. BJJ, Boxing, Thai Boxing, Self-Defense

08/21/2026

THE POOLESVILLE DAY CHAMPION TRAINING COMPETITION STARTS TOMORROW!

---

HEY PSD STUDENTS!

Tomorrow (August 24) the 2026 POOLESVILLE DAY CHAMPION TRAINING COMPETITION starts.

This is YOUR chance to:
• Pick who you want to challenge
• Accept challenges from others
• Compete in REAL Jiu-Jitsu matches with submissions
• Build your points by taking on BIGGER challenges
• Earn bonus points and bragging rights
• LEAD US IN THE POOLESVILLE DAY PARADE on September 19

HERE'S THE DEAL:

Bigger challenges = bigger points. That's it.

Win against someone your size and skill? Good. Win against someone bigger, older, or higher belt? BETTER. Smarter strategy = higher score.

EVERY KID HAS A PATH TO WIN. It's not just about beating everyone — it's about choosing smart battles.

KEY DATES:
• August 24 - September 18: Pick opponents during class, accept challenges, compete
• Weekly standings announced: August 24, August 31, September 7, September 14
• September 18: Final scores tallied, bonus points awarded, winner announced
• September 19: YOU LEAD US IN THE POOLESVILLE DAY PARADE

TO PARTICIPATE:
Your parents need to sign you up with Coach Mark. You'll need to tell us:
✓ Your height
✓ Your weight
✓ Your belt level

That's it. Then show up ready to compete.

---

HOW THE POINTS WORK:

Base Points (per match):
• Submission win: 3 pts
• Win by points: 2 pts
• Draw: 1 pt
• Loss: 0 pts

Advantage Points (always added, regardless of outcome):
• Higher belt opponent: +1
• Older opponent (different age group): +1
• Heavier opponent: +1 for every 10 lbs

Underdog Bonus:
• If you have at least ONE disadvantage AND win or draw: +1

Final Bonus Points (September 18 - after all matches):
• Fastest Submission: +5
• Highest Total Match Score: +5
• Most Submissions: +10
• Greatest # Underdog Points: +5

---

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
• How to prepare for big challenges
• Competitive strategy (choosing smart battles)
• Sportsmanship (winning and losing with respect)
• Teamwork (supporting your crew)
• Community (building something bigger than yourself)

---

THE BOTTOM LINE:

This is about MORE than just winning matches. It's about thinking about outcomes. It's about strategy. It's about testing yourself against tougher opponents and EARNING those points.

Every match counts. Every decision matters. Your strategy matters.

Bigger challenges = bigger points.

Become Battle Ready.

---

QUESTIONS? Ask Coach Mark before or after class tomorrow.

Ready? Let's go.

MAT SKILLS ARE LIFE SKILLS.

08/21/2026

**Self-defense preparation tip #22**

Here is a daily self defense preparation tip. Follow us at on IG or Poolesville Self Defense/Talon Jiujitsu for more tips.

---

**GRADE SCHOOL**

If someone takes you down, keep fighting.

Don't give up. Don't stay still. Fight to get back up or get on top of them.

Use your legs. Use your hips. Use strikes. Do whatever it takes to escape or control them.

Never stop fighting.

---

**MIDDLE SCHOOL**

Ground fighting: Stay aggressive.

Someone took you down? You're not done. You're fighting harder now.

If you're on your back, use active guard. Hips up. Strikes. Submissions. Fight to get on top.

Never stay passive on the ground. Never give up position.

---

**HIGH SCHOOL**

Ground position priority: Get on top.

You're taken down. Now what?

If on your back: Active guard. Strikes. Submissions (triangles, armbars). Fight to reverse and get on top.

Top position is control. Fight for it.

---

**COLLEGE**

Ground control: Top position wins.

You've been taken down. Single attacker scenario.

From your back: Use active guard with strikes and submissions to escape or reverse.

Goal: Get on top. Top position means you're controlling the situation.

Never stay passive on your back.

---

**ADULTS**

Ground fighting: Top is survival.

Single attacker takes you down. You fight from the bottom with active guard—strikes, submissions, reversals.

But your goal is top position. That's where you control the outcome.

Once on top, stay on top. Control or escape. Top position is dominance.

---

Striving for your A Game is becoming Battle Ready.

Mat skills are life skills.

08/20/2026

Join Team PSD 💪

We’re hiring a tumbling instructor starting in September.

If you’re passionate about coaching kids ages 4–12 and want to be part of a community-focused martial arts studio in Poolesville, we want to hear from you.

Requirements: Should have tumbling experience, love of working with kids, willingness to grow with us.

Pay equivalent with experience.

Apply: [email protected] | 240-418-2856 — at Poolesville Self Defense/Talon Jiujitsu.

08/20/2026

**Self-defense preparation tip #21**

Here is a daily self defense preparation tip. Follow us at on IG or Poolesville Self Defense/Talon Jiujitsu for more tips.

---

**GRADE SCHOOL**

Use your voice before it gets physical.

If someone is close and acting mean, say STOP. Say it loud. Say it clear.

If they don't listen, say HELP. Yell for a trusted adult.

Your voice can stop trouble before your fists have to.

---

**MIDDLE SCHOOL**

Your voice is your first tool.

Someone invading your space? Say STOP. Mean it. Strong voice. Direct.

They keep coming? Say it again. Louder. BACK UP.

If words fail and they touch you, then you soften them. But try your voice first.

---

**HIGH SCHOOL**

Verbal boundary setting stops escalation.

Someone moving into your bubble? STOP. BACK UP. NOW.

Strong voice. Eye contact. No emotion. No apology. Command.

Many threats stop at your voice. They don't expect you to respond with authority.

Use it before you use your body.

---

**COLLEGE**

Voice as de-escalation tool.

Someone's behavior is predatory? "Stop where you are." Clear. Assertive. Backed by your presence.

Your voice can change the dynamic. Don't apologize. Don't negotiate.

If they don't listen, you know they've chosen escalation. Now you respond physically.

---

**ADULTS**

Verbal command as first correction.

Threat detected. Someone closing distance inappropriately.

"Stop where you are." Assertive. No apology. Decisive.

This command gives them a choice: respect your boundary or face physical correction.

Many threats end at your voice.

---

Striving for your A Game is becoming Battle Ready.

Mat skills are life skills.

Send a message to learn more

08/19/2026

**Self-defense preparation tip #13**

Here is a daily self defense preparation tip. Follow us at on IG or Poolesville Self Defense/Talon Jiujitsu for more tips.

---

**GRADE SCHOOL**

Someone grabs your wrist.

Prevent: Don't let them get close enough to grab. Stay away from strangers.

Detect: If someone starts moving toward you, step back. Create distance.

Correct: If they grab your wrist, kick to their groin or strike their face. Do whatever softens their grip. Then pull away and get to a trusted adult.

---

**MIDDLE SCHOOL**

Wrist grab response.

Prevent: Keep distance. Don't let unknown people close in.

Detect: See them coming. Step back before they grab.

Correct: If grabbed, soften them first. Kick to groin. Strike their nose or eyes. This breaks their grip. Then pull away hard. Escape.

---

**HIGH SCHOOL**

Wrist grab: Soften first.

Prevent: Distance management. Read who's around you. Avoid isolated situations.

Detect: Someone closing distance with intent. See it. Step back.

Correct: If grabbed, soften immediately. Kick to groin or strike soft tissue (nose, eyes). This weakens their grip. Pull away. Escape or escalate.

---

**COLLEGE**

Wrist grab in context.

Prevent: Stay aware. Don't let predatory behavior escalate.

Detect: Someone grabbing your wrist is escalation. Control move.

Correct: Soften first (groin kick, face strike). Break the grip. Pull away. Strike if necessary. Escape immediately. Tell campus security.

---

**ADULTS**

Wrist grab: Soften and escape.

Prevent: Distance and awareness. Read intent.

Detect: Wrist grab is control attempt. Escalation.

Correct: Soften immediately (groin kick, strike soft tissue). Break grip. Counter. Escape or takedown to control. Report if necessary.

---

Striving for your A Game is becoming Battle Ready.

Mat skills are life skills.

08/18/2026

Self Defense Preparation Tip #12

Here is a daily self defense preparation tip. Follow us at on IG or Poolesville Self Defense/Talon Jiujitsu for more tips.

GRADE SCHOOL
You are not the problem.
If someone tries to hurt you, that's their choice. Not yours.
You have the right to protect yourself. You have the right to run. You have the right to yell and fight.
Never feel bad for protecting yourself.

MIDDLE SCHOOL
You control your response.
Someone escalates on you? That's their choice.
When they cross into your bubble with aggression, you respond. You're not the aggressor. You're controlling the situation.
Takedown. Top control. Escape. You're in charge.

HIGH SCHOOL
Ownership of your response.
Someone invades your space with escalation. That's on them.
Your response is your choice. You read the threat. You decide how to correct it. You're making the call.
Own your response. Control the situation.

COLLEGE
You set the terms of your safety.
Your bubble. Your boundaries. Your choices about where you go and who you trust.
If someone violates that, you respond. You're not responsible for their escalation. You're responsible for your safety.
Own it.

ADULTS
Your response is your responsibility.
You read the threat. You assess. You respond appropriately to their escalation, not your own.
You're not the aggressor. You're the one controlling the outcome.
Own your response. Defend yourself.

Striving for your A Game is becoming Battle Ready.

Mat skills are life skills.

Send a message to learn more

08/17/2026

Self Defense Preparation Tip #11

Here is a daily self defense preparation tip. Follow us at
on IG or Poolesville Self Defense/Talon Jiujitsu for more tips.

GRADE SCHOOL
Three ways to handle a threat.
Prevent: Don't be there. Stay home. Stay safe.
Detect: Notice when trouble is coming. See the signs. Act early.
Correct: If prevention and detection fail, you respond. You use your body. You escape.
Prevention is always best.

MIDDLE SCHOOL
Prevent, Detect, Correct.
Prevent: Stay in safe places. Make smart choices. Avoid risk.
Detect: Read escalation. Notice when someone's angry or acting wrong. See it coming.
Correct: If they escalate physically, you respond. You strike. You take them down. You escape.
Always prevent first. Detect early. Correct only if necessary.

HIGH SCHOOL
The three methods of threat management.
Prevent: Choose safety. Make smart decisions. Avoid high-risk situations.
Detect: Read threat indicators early. Escalation cues. Trust your instinct.
Correct: When prevention and detection fail, you respond appropriately. Striking. Takedown. Top control. You're in charge.
Prevention is strongest. Correction is your backup.

COLLEGE
Prevent, Detect, Correct framework.
Prevent: Situational awareness. Smart choices. Avoid isolation. Manage distance. Stay sober.
Detect: Read predatory behavior. Escalation indicators. Trust your gut.
Correct: If corrective action is needed, you're ready. Striking. Takedown. Control. Escape.
Prevention saves your life. Detection gives you time. Correction is your tool.

ADULTS
Threat management has three levels.
Prevent: Environmental scanning. Threat assessment. Distance management. Confident posture. Proactive deterrence.
Detect: Escalation indicators. Body language. Trust instinct.
Correct: When necessary, respond appropriately. Striking. Takedown. Top control. Weapons if justified. Escape.
Prevent always. Detect early. Correct decisively.

Striving for your A Game is becoming Battle Ready.

Mat skills are life skills.

Send a message to learn more

08/16/2026

Back to school. Time to build.

Confidence. Discipline. Skills. Community.

Your kids deserve to be battle ready. Train with us. Jiujitsu. Boxing. Thai Boxing. MMA. Wrestling. Grappling. Self Defense.

Back to School Special: No enrollment fee. Train unlimited for 90 days. Save $125. Enroll by 9/30.

Classes for Ages 4+

Poolesville Self Defense
240-418-2856
20010 Fisher Ave, Suite F
Poolesville, MD 20010

08/16/2026

Back to school. Time to build.

Confidence. Discipline. Skills. Community.

Your kids deserve to be battle ready. Train with us. Jiujitsu. Boxing. Thai Boxing. MMA. Wrestling. Grappling. Self Defense.

Back to School Special: No enrollment fee. Train unlimited for 90 days. Save $125. Enroll by 9/30.

Poolesville Self Defense
240-418-2856
20010 Fisher Ave, Suite F
Poolesville, MD 20010