HANDS-ON TRAINING. EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTION.
Build readiness.
Train with
purpose.
Practical training in pistol, rifle, trauma response and close-quarters combatives for students and host organizations.
Find a course that fits your goals—or bring training to your group.
Learn.
Practice.
Repeat.
Practice.
Repeat.
FIREARMS · COMBATIVES · TRAUMA RESPONSEServing Birmingham, Alabama and surrounding areas
Courses
Standard Sheepdog Response Courses
Looking for another SDR course or location?
Explore training with Sheepdog Response HQ or Sheepdog Response Affiliates.
Sheepdog Response Birmingham Courses and Seminars
A FOUNDATION OF CONTINUED TRAINING
Build a foundation.
Broaden your skills.
Keep improving.
Preparation is a practice, not a finish line. Build a foundation in firearms handling, combatives, trauma response and sound decision-making, then broaden your skills and deepen your understanding through continued training. Repeated practice strengthens the basics; instruction and feedback help you make meaningful progress over time.
Explore past training events →Upcoming events
Sheepdog Response Protector 1
Sheepdog Response Protector 1 brings together situational awareness, unarmed combatives and defensive pistol fundamentals. Learn to assess your surroundings, work through ground-fighting basics and develop safe weapons handling and marksmanship through demonstrations, coached practice and practical application.
Course details
What you’ll learn: Develop situational awareness, ground-fighting fundamentals and defensive pistol skills. Classroom learning, mat work and range practice build toward applying those skills together.
Prerequisites: No previous experience is required. You must be legally eligible to possess a firearm.
Equipment & preparation: Plan for a pistol, suitable holster, sturdy belt, magazine carriers and at least three magazines; eye and ear protection; 400 rounds, five dummy rounds, a cleaning kit and tourniquet. Bring durable training clothing, food and water. The event announcement will provide the final packing list and schedule.
Explore Sheepdog Response Protector 1 →Training locations
Birmingham-area
day courses.
Heroes 280 for mat-based training and Brock’s Gap Training Center for range training.
Smith Lake
training stays.
Well suited to all-inclusive single- or multi-day events, typically including food and lodging. The venue offers a combined mat room and classroom, plus a nearby private range.
Explore Smith Lake →Meet the instructors
Get to know the instructors behind the training.
Train with us.
Bring us to you.
Attend a class →
Tell us the course you’re interested in, your preferred area and the dates that work for you.
Host a class →
Bring an SDR course to your group. Tell us your desired course, organization, city or venue, preferred dates and estimated attendance.
Our story
Jay Martin’s years of nationwide Sheepdog Response instruction are the starting point for our Birmingham story. A meeting with Chris Magyar through the Combatives Association Summit grew into teaching together at camping weekends, seminars and Combatives at the Lake, then into the team behind Sheepdog Response Birmingham.
Read our story →