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Regular "Reality Based" Self Defence Classes - Dublin & Nationwide.
Hello and welcome to Hard Target Self Defence Systems. As you are now on our home page, I assume like the majority of our population you are concerned about your personal safety. Through research we know that from the large number of people who search for self defence training in Dublin and Ireland, only a small number take the next step, and actually book a course.
The main reason for this is FEAR.
- Fear of the unknown
- Fear of change
- Fear of failure
- Fear of not being fit enough
- Fear of being to young or old
- Fear of Fear
Here at Hard Target, I and my fellow instructors are completely aware of how the new student feels when entering our classes. We have all experienced that uncomfortable feeling in the pit of your stomach. Even the thought of just clicking on the link to book the course can cause adrenaline release.
Well you will be glad to know that everyone feels the same- this is a fact. This is what we call pre-booking nerves.
PRE BOOKING NERVES???
Don’t worry, here at Hard Target, we fully understand that nervousness is part and parcel of life. It has a huge bearing on the decision you may make as to whether to book a course with us. After all you feel anxious about getting involved in something new, but hear this, everyone does! I’m going to say that again, everybody suffers from pre booking & pre course nerves - It is entirely natural !
As hard as it is to believe…as human beings we will often find, or look for excuses NOT to do something we really DO want to do! We have all been guilty of that and we know it! Every single one of us suffer from apprehension, we fear we won’t be up to the task. We tell ourselves we won’t be good enough. We may look at the task ahead, and put it off to another day, then another and another. We will look for reasons not to do the things we want to do!
‘Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin’!
How do we know all this? Because people who have attended our courses all admit to experiencing such emotions before they booked and before they come along. Looking for reasons not to follow through is a common human trait…but remember not one person has ever started anything new without experiencing the 'butterflies'
It is a natural human condition. Every person reading this experiences the same doubts and anxiety about following through with a booking as you do now, so don't for a second think it’s only you! Once again, you must realise, such feelings are entirely natural.
We regularly sabotage our own potential for growth in all facets of our life by giving in to these unwarranted fears. We need to learn to use those feelings as an incentive to act rather than as a reason not to act. This is often referred to as conquering your fears. (This too, is covered in our courses)
So when you’re thinking of booking and you feel that flutter in the stomach, don’t see it as nerves but rather see it as excitement, a call to action. Don’t imagine it as ‘butterflies’, instead envision it as a black panther stirring inside you, waiting to be unleashed!! And hey, if that doesn’t work you can always drop us an email or give us a call to discuss any concerns you may have.
We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Many of our citizens now believe they are more likely than at anytime in the history of our state to experience an unprovoked violent attack!
A recent TV show ‘Lawless Ireland‘ caused concern for many people. Since the programme was aired we have had many enquiries from all over the country from concerned citizens wishing to learn skills to defend themselves or their loved should the need arise. The majority of the calls we received have been from women. Here at Hard Target we also offer women only self defence classes as well as mixed classes.
Sadly there has never been a greater need to learn to defend yourself against the most COMMON ATTACKS on the streets of Lawless Ireland.
These are listed in order of frequency.
- A swinging punch to the head.
- A front clothing grab, one handed, followed by punch to the head.
- A front grab, two hands, followed by a head butt.
- A front grab, two hands, followed by a knee to the groin.
- A bottle or glass to the head.
- A kick to groin/lower legs.
- A broken bottle/glass jabbed to face.
- A slash with knife.
- A head lock.
Such incidents are likely to involve alcohol or drugs, and are most likely take place in bars, late night shops, take aways, at taxi ranks, bus stops or ATMs.
As a HARD TARGET student you will learn more than just fighting techniques, you will learn the all important awareness skills that will help you to avoid these attacks. You will learn to see and understand the Pre Incident Indicators of a potential attacker. You will learn pre-emptive moves to counteract a potential attacker.
The HARD TARGET system has been designed to be easily taught, to be easily retained and consists only of techniques that can be employed to work under pressure for you regardless of your current fitness or ability. Can we make you a black belt in a weekend? No. Of course not. But we can we give you the skills and the mind-set that will make you a harder target on the streets of ‘Lawless Ireland’
Special Offer for July Only - One to One Training
We are now offering an amazing special offer for July. Buy 10 one to one Self Defence Training sessions and get 3 absolutely free with head coach Aidan Carroll. This is a once off offer- only for the month of July. An offer not to be missed - Call Aidan today at 087 9742566
Recent Article from Life & Fitness Magazine
Our Affiliations

Articles & Media
Irish Fighter Article December 2008 by Aidan Carroll
t was a warm humid day in June when I landed in Birmingham airport for the first day of my master class instructor course with Geoff Thompson. Myself and two of my assistant instructors( Paul Byrne & Sharon Hutchinson) in the Hard Target Self Defence systems had traveled from Dublin to be very kindly collected by my old mate Steve Maycock form Krav Maga Birmingham. Steve has been teaching martial arts and self defence for over 25 years-many refer to Steve as the encyclopedia of martial arts, and anyone who met Steve will vouch for this.......Read More of the Irish Fighter Article
Christmas - Some Thoughts by Tony Somers
Christmas is nearly upon us once again, where does the time go? I don't know the answer to that question but its enough to know that time is rapidly passing and what are we doing with this precious commodity?......Read More From Tony Somers
Make Yourself a Hard Target by Aidan Carroll
It’s a cold January morning at 8am and I have just arrived at gym to set up the equipment for my latest 6 week self defence course. The class starts at 10am, but I like to get in early to get the training area ready to go for the 10 o’clock start. It also gives me some time to have a cup of tea and a chat with some of the new students.......Read More About Becoming a Hard Target
My Journey Into Fear by Jonny Figgis - Hard Target Self Defence Instructor
Fear gets to all of us at different stages and for different reasons. Sometimes it immobilizes us in the workplace, in the home, on the street and can raise its ugly head in situations ranging from making speeches to vicious encounters........Read More About My Journey Into Fear
The OODA Loop
The OODA loop is probably best described as an information processing system. The term itself is an acronym for OBSERVE ORIENT DECIDE ACT........Read More About the OODA Loop
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Self Defence Classes in Dublin
Hard Target reality based self defence classes are held regularly at our Drumcondra location as well as city and countrywide. Self Defence classes in Dublin are currently planned are as follows:
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers of all fitness levels, male and female. Class is limited to 16 students. The course is very comprehensive..Read More and Book
- This course is suitable for beginners-male & female of all ages, and fitness levels. A certificate will be awarded on successful completion...Read More and Reserve Place
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers of all fitness levels, male and female. Class is limited to 16 students. The course is very comprehensive..Read More and Book
Self Defence Master Class Starts Sat June 27th
- In October 2008, my good friend Tony Somers and I launched our first Level 1 Master Class in Ireland. Due to the success and demand of the course we are now providing a level 2 plus an additional Level 1 course...Read More and Book
Hard Target Videos
Jonny Figgis from Hard Target self defence systems filmed recently during a grappling session on Geoff Thompson's master class in Coventry UK.
- Watch Video
- A clip from Geoff Thompsoms latest film Roman 12:20
- Watch Video
- Tony Somers - Volume 1 Real Life Self Protection DVD. Learn the techniques that have saved lives and stopped fights in the streets for the last 20 years.
- Watch Video
Seminars
We hold regular self defence & combative seminars in Dublin & countrywide. Our upcoming seminars are as follows:
- Jamie Clubb Seminar Review 29th March 2008
- Jamie Clubb is a multi-faceted martial arts instructor who has worked with biggest names in the realistic self-protection industry.
- Martial Arts in Ireland by Jamie Clubb
- Jamie Clubb is a multi-faceted martial arts instructor who has worked with biggest names in the realistic self-protection industry.
- Tony Somers Seminar Review & Latest Video
- I first made contact with Tony in January by email and asked would it be possible to have him over to give a seminar in Ireland.
Self Defence Master Class With BCA Instructors Aidan Carroll & Tony Somers Review of Day 1
- We had a great turn out for our first ever master class (in Ireland) on 18/10/08. Over 20 students arrived at 9am for the first training day. Read a full review of Day 1.....Review of Day 1
Self Defence Master Class With BCA Instructors Aidan Carroll & Tony Somers Review of Day 2
- Another great training day in the bag. Only the second session and everyone in the group is now striking with great accuracy and power. The group are now starting to look more relaxed, with many of their initial fears of signing up for the course having been dispelled......Review of Day 2
Self Defence Master Class With BCA Instructors Aidan Carroll & Tony Somers Review of Day 3
- On a freezing December morning, arriving at Pobalscoil Rosmini, the familiar nerves were in the pit of my stomach. These are always present on the way to class, and I’m sure they will never disappear........Review of Day 3
Self Defence Master Class With BCA Instructors Aidan Carroll & Tony Somers Review of Day 4
- I woke up on Saturday morning feeling like I hadn’t even slept. A glance at my clock told me I was slightly behind schedule..........Review of Day 4
Self Defence Master Class With BCA Instructors Aidan Carroll & Tony Somers Review of Day 5
- I am not normally an early riser, especially on a freezing cold Saturday, but due to the task that I had to complete today, I was up and ready at 7:30am. I had been chosen as one of the people that was to speak in front of my peers at the hard target self defence class..........Review of Day 5

