Extreme Close Quarter Concepts (ECQC) course is the flagship Shivworks Course and takes place over 2.5 days with a total of 24 training hours. Instruction is given on functional handgun skills from zero to five feet, a unique problem requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Provided is a template for what we feel are the best practices between verbal and physical skills to avoid, stabilize, and resolve a life-threatening situation within the context of the criminal assault paradigm while armed. After developing new skills, everyone validates the skills through an unscripted evolution. Evolutions are competitive, non-consensual force-on-force experiences using marking cartridges and protective equipment.