Bouncer & Doorman Defensive Tactics: Part I

This video is for EVERYONE working the door of a bar, nightclub, or exclusive club in order to keep you and your patrons safe, and to reduce the legal liability for the establishment. Part I covers the following tops: 1. Profession Appearance 2. Door Position 3. Threat Zones 4. Alert Stance as presented by Jim Wagner, the founder of the Reality-Based Personal Protection. All rights reserved.

[@fredbazoo]

Mr Wagner is a Pro......No Baloney......all real world applications.......cheers!

[@wcpelle]

I have never worked as bouncer, but I like to watch these videos. I respect good bouncers a lot since it is really good feeling that you know there is someone looking after troublemakers. :)

[@bionicdee500]

Been Bouncing for so long...developed my own ways...good to know I am following some sort of procedure...I work in an area where you don't know if that's a Congressman family member or a Navy Seal...the Professionalism has carried me a long way...treat everyone with the same respect...Great Video..I'll be watching the others...

[@bionicdee500]

I have no idea about Mass.

[@julio2011millenium]

You're are completely right i am 18 years experience Bouncer/Security. Clubs. Bars. Concerts. Open Concerts. Personal Security. Festivals. Basically most types of events of mass people. actually i getting my license for a professional bodyguard. Alcohol change people. blind till they get in trouble. even fighting no just the Security but fighting police officers. trust me i never have punch anybody. yes i do locks or moves. when is required. best tip is no get problems to personal cause is not.

[@MaiLi3174]

I have been a security guard for awhile now. However, I just started a new job as a bouncer and have never worked in a bar before. This was a handy video. Thank you.

[@TyronLSR]

Thank you so much for putting these videos!

[@Azriel261]

Steel toes are good if you only require the use of your hands and you want to pin someone down, but the best types of shoes are light and if you do wear boots, make sure they are light. I wear Interceptor boots because they are light and usually used for doormen, law enforcement, bail recovery, or even private security. When you are body guarding say, an exotic dancer during a private party, make sure you always wear something that will protect you from various hazards. Wear loose fitting pants and shirts in case of a knife attack so it will cut your clothes and not you.

[@Aerial_Morello]

As someone going for a level 2 Door supervisor qualification (British) this is invaluable information, thank you for the good words on stance when working and conflict de-escalation.

[@NabilAbdulrashidComedy]

Stukadive how did it go mate?

[@joshsmith1702]

I work on the doors in the uk and I have been on the doors now for a year and had my first physical experience on the doors 2 weeks ago.

[@docbrown68]

I agree with much of this video. To someone that is seasoned, this all seems like common sense, but it's not. Situations need to be dissected before they happen. This way, response is formulaic and not chaotic. That said, having worked a few gigs in NYC nite-clubs, there are some things that can NEVER be anticipated. A very good guide for someone beginning the job, because the FNGs get it wrong, more than not. Not aggressive enough, or too aggressive, and it never ends well. You should do a spot on those times a club owner wants to get involved personally, because you're there to kick ass for him if things go awry (and they usually do). Working a door is a dynamic job, that is in constant flux. You'd better have your shit wired tight. Thank you for your efforts in educating the FNGs. Cheers, and keep safe.

[@pepebarbasagain]

great video... congratulations

[@joshuaperryman1726]

Good job. Reminds me of a old publix training video.

[@SinistrariKHS]

Thanks! I would have loved to have had this for my officers back in the day. I hope many watch and learn so they don't get hurt or worse. I just have to ask, what do you think about some of the recent shootings by police where they seem to have jumped straight to their firearm instead of using lesser degrees of force?

[@Mrgreed004]

Thank's for this video , this could help me on my profession as a security officer , greetings from the Philippines .

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

greed greedy, thank you for the comment. I'm glad it has helped. Be A Hard Target.

[@olivere9772]

I thought that was truly selling off for a second

[@tutubeas10]

Very good video

[@georgesobienge4395]

Great ..thanks

[@Azriel261]

If you don't have a baton you can use a tactical flashlight, and they are sold in weapon stores, retail environments like Walmart or any sporting goods stores. Make sure the flashlight is a good fit, its light enough to use, and its sturdy enough to protect yourself if a person attacks you with anything in the bar. And keep in mind there are potential weapons in a bar lol

[@Azriel261]

In Indiana you can possess a firearm that is concealed if you have a permit to carry and the rest of the club staff and dancers, or the rest of the bar staff know that you have it.

[@Hythloday71]

I don't know about you, but I'm invincible. All these helping doormen videos seem aimed at discussing how to talk yourself out of a decision to throw somebody out of a club. There are certain offences, they always require a throw out or request to leave. Aint no talkie talkie once the decision has been made. The only question is he or she going to go out of their own accord. Sure there's talkie talkie for many situations on a potential trajectory of becoming an ejection issue. Plenty need to issue warnings. If you're a little guy, your not really equipped IMO. for the most basic part of the job ... the slap your hands on them and drag their ass out. It's OK, just make sure you take back-up to a situation. Smaller guys can still be great back-up for real messy situations but generally the smaller you are the more likely you are going to need to strike to aid removal. Dragging out is a very defensive strategy. A drunk who wants to fight you is going to be of balance and largely ineffective against the sole purpose of the drag out. His punches will be weaker, he'll be focusing on not falling over and loosing balance etc. It's quite a safe place to be in my experience. The throw out / ask to leave offences - falling asleep, fighting, harassing bar staff, repeatedly breaking a rule eg 'feet up on tables', 'dancing on stage with artists', 'not leaving at end of night' etc etc. These are the real situations and decisions you need to forearm yourself with an approach. I'd say if you're squaring off to some dude in a club, it's hands on time, no talkie talkie, that guy is going to be trouble for some other customer. Outside the club on the door, completely different rules, you'll see anger, you don't engage unless your protecting, you just ignore and assume, like it is 99% of the time, just bravado mouthing. Of course you'll have to decide those 1% cases, but it's your job not to initiate unless under the clearest of self preservation situations. You going to stop people for age, dress code and being drunk, they may show you anger but you've done your job, they're not in the club causing trouble or presenting a harder job of removal. This all means you going to second starter in a few fights, may be more, depending on how long your career is. But you got buddies and you shouldn't be caught cold as your aware, and its the unseen punch, the one that catches you obliviously that's really dangerous. As to all the advice I've seen so far, seems like, at best, common sense for the more vague situations. The job gets easier the more you successfully simplify situations.

[@selfpolicing]

I think that strikes and kicks dont have so good effekt on a very violent person. I like the rear naked choke if I dont get control of the violent person and he is trying to hurt you. Get control over the head and then go to the rear naked choke or some other choke. Do you teach the rear naked choke and what do you think about the RNC?

[@akumax3135]

I've seen it used. Its effective, if the person goes out you have about 20 seconds to handle other things and they will wake up not knowing what happened

[@michaelmuirhead8874]

brilliant video I would like to be taught physical intervention by him.

[@Azriel261]

In Europe, it is customary to work in high end Door Security because of the economy. Here in the US there are bar's especially in Texas that require you to be professional, but if you work in a Biker club or a hardcore Strip Joint, you where a black shirt, and a pair of jeans to identify yourself and be in dark corners so if something does happen you are in a position to do something.

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

Robert Shibel, good comments. The bouncer wears the "uniform of the day" according to the establishment's standards. That's all part of blending into the environment. Be A Hard Target.

[@Azriel261]

Thanks Jim for your comment. I am trying to go back into Bar Security right now but New Jersey is not an easy State to work in because out here you literally have to have the right connections. Or some places want a State Certification or SORA in order to work for them.

[@gilbertdengmarial4229]

Great

[@docbrown68]

Robert, where have you worked in NJ? Do you have any training?

[@docbrown68]

I know this is an old thread

[@AnthonyEngelen]

Praxis Verhuis dozen! :D

[@stevenm1240]

Dudes jacket is massive on him lol

[@NestorNegronDiaz]

My two cents: Shoes should be steel toe. There are a lot of good looking steel toe shoes to go with a suit.

[@andygomez0206]

And no squared toe shoes please, something more professional looking.

[@MrFarangKorat]

Usually when you do the "bouncer trip" you learn the ropes on the job. You don't understand the possible legal ramifications until you do something that puts you in a world of trouble WITHOUT a safety net. You could easily get thrown in jail, sued, or killed. Watch this video and use your brain instead of your brawn. Osu!

[@AlphaDad]

Resistance comes at the first touch.

[@Sirsuperwins]

Great video, all the heroes posting nonsense in the comments are overthinking their role as door staff!

[@richardedet9995]

I will love to work with you

[@bds123087]

is this the knife maker?

[@dinomacak1842]

Sia Authority teach self defense

[@ladylynn3613]

Nice @finnmikkelsen

[@legaliseme]

Bad advice a kubotan or whatever? Nah you want a good steel torch, its so you can inspect the ladies purses, but it can double up as a kubotan

[@Sh4d0wzzz]

These shoes... really? Have you ever been working at a club at all... You have no grip with these shiny looking shoes! Let alone, have you ever stepped into glass? Glass cuts right into your foot. I'd rather wear my combat boots then slip over some rum cola whilest bouncing someone. To be honest when I see someone comming to work with these types of shiny flashing but no grip shoes I sometimes send them home to change.

[@akumax3135]

Its all about the sole. My dockers have been in fights and have decent grip. You just don't want leather soles. They don't have very good ankle support though I twisted mine pretty bad in a fight once. Combat boots send off a certain vibe that you don't want in certain places. It is good for intimidation though.

[@Grenadieros]

Mike Constantinides is a Greek name. You are a Greek ? From mother and father too ?

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

Grenadieros, yes, Mike has a Greek last name, but he was born and raised in Lebanon, and then worked nightclubs in London, and then worked for the United Nations security for a while. He is one of my Reality-Based Personal Protection students who became an instructor and a director in Holland. Be A Hard Target.

[@Grenadieros]

Thank you sir for the answer,may God have you both healthy and strong. Very nice videos,congratulations :-)

[@HintonburgRep]

lol this guy has to be related to randy wagner of the ottawa police lol

[@mackhomie6]

HintonburgRep oh.

[@richardedet9995]

My name is richard am a bouncer in nigeria am a door man

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

Stay safe Richard. It is an important job, but it can be quite dangerous. BE A HARD TARGET

[@MrMole0]

No.1 Rule: You never say who you work for/protect. Surprised that in the first 5 minutes you did ... jus' sayin'.

[@patrickmagee1732]

Where's the self defense tactics??? This guys talking about clean nails in a professional environment ??? And not a single self defense move was shown on this day this guy likes to hear himself talk, way too much dialogue not enough techniques

[@str94100]

This is some poorly though out shit. Not surprising, but piss poor, especially this entire idea he has of "ready stances" none of which at physically balanced, and puts the doorman in a disadvantaged position to manhandle a potential opponent. Especially this "grab his arms" crap. The last thing you want to do is grab an agitated drunk, especially in a manner that leaves your entire centerline vulnerable and you off balance.