Modern Combatives System (MCS) is based on the belief that self defense training needs to be based on defending against the ways you are most likely going to be attacked and counter attacking in such a way that makes it hard for your attacker to defend.

Most spontaneous attacks whether they are with an open hand, stick knife or gun will require you to respond initially with your open hands. That is the cold hard truth. At best you will have a pen or flashlight in your hand. But that is OK, because in Modern Combatives System we believe that there are only two types of weapons when you get down to it. Edged and impact. And since a pen or flashlight does not have an edge you strike with it.

The first part of MCS is recognizing pre assault indicators and preparatory movement that is required for someone to attack you. The second part is teaching you to defend against the mechanism of the attack instead of the attack it self.

Modern Combatives System is only concerned with interpersonal combat within seven yards since this is where most people are attacked, fall apart and die. In keeping with MCS' belief in training over toys the system is broken down into three skill sets that mirror both the likelihood of the attack and the mode of defense.