No Such Thing as Too Much Training
Hello, members. As a young police officer long ago, I always believed I was “ready” for any encounter that would be in front of me. I was young, athletic, fairly strong, and confident in my physical ability. I enjoyed doing defensive tactics for training every quarter. I had full faith and confidence in the ways we trained and the techniques we employed.
Back when I was new, ground fighting started to come along due to folks like John Harney, Sean Curd, Sal Mascoli, Dominick Rodrigues, Jon Gentile and others (if I didn’t list your name, please do not take that as disrespect). What I found, like most people in my situation do, is that I had a false sense of what I could do. Now, that’s not to say that was always the case. A person like me who wasn’t very strong, or athletic, I probably felt like I had the upper hand, and in fact, I probably did. But then I chose to walk into a BJJ Gym, Mica Cipili’s gym.
This is where I was first humbled as to what real training was. The big, strong guy that I thought I was thought these smaller, more frail-looking people were in trouble. The first thing I learned was the difference between gym or cardio shape, and the type of shape it took to roll for five minutes with another human being. These are different worlds. Not to say that weights and cardio aren’t great, but for a fight against someone with training, they will prove to be a hinderance.
The first time I rolled, I believe I threw up in the bathroom after around two minutes. Truly, in my mind, I needed to know where the closest hospital was, because I believed I was going to have a heart attack and most likely pass away. This was fatigue I had never felt in my life. Hands hurt! Forearms gassed out! Neck and back stiff as could be! I continued to go for several months, but sustained an injury that had me questioning whether I should do this type of training out of fear of injury. I stepped away for many years.
In those years, the sport of MMA began to explode, and more people were training. Unfortunately, there were many training that were also high-level criminals. These were people that could and would do an officer extreme harm if they chose to do so. It wasn’t until I brought Chad Lyman up to the PPA that I started training again. I owe it to Chad for the level of skill I have obtained. I am in no way good! I think I am just good enough to dominate a non-skilled opponent.
But I am not out there on the streets anymore. The only real fear I have of needing to use the skill set that I have is in two situations: A crazy drug addict at Walmart, and my daughters. I believe I will win those fights for sure. LOL. To all my members out there who are still going out and fighting the worst of the worst of society: The bad guys are hell bent on preying on good people in our community or intend on causing you pain, or even death. GO TRAIN.
The first thing you must do, like I did years ago, is let go of ego. Check it at the door and realize you will be humbled. It will hurt. You will lose. That’s OK. Keep going. Because what is on the other side of all those controlled losses, pain, and humiliation of a 14-year-old submitting you constantly, is you know, no matter what, you have developed a skill set to go home to your family every night. That’s always been the goal for us in law enforcement.
Go home every shift. Go train. Find a gym. Come see Chad twice a week here at the office. We do not want to add another name to our wall of the fallen because we didn’t prepare for the day that someone tries to take your life. Sometimes, it is unavoidable. But in cases where we do have a say in that conversation, let’s make sure we win the day! Thank you all for always risking your lives for people you will more than likely never meet again. You all truly are the peacekeepers of our society. Stay safe.