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Law Enforcement and MMA
By Jason E. Phillips
Martial Arts have intrigued and entertained mankind for thousands of years. From the Roman Coliseum to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, spectators continue to gather to view competitors demonstrate their fighting proficiency.
Today, there are practically as many martial arts fighting systems as there are cultures. As someone who has studied and practiced various arts, including Goju Ryu Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Kung Fu, Western Boxing, Thai Boxing, Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, Silat, and Combat Submission Wrestling, I feel that it is my duty to create awareness within the law enforcement community.
Patrol officers are faced with numerous challenges. They are expected to take immediate action, make prudent decisions and maintain control of often chaotic situations, all in a matter of seconds.
This is where training and repetition become paramount.
Repetitions, Repetitions
In more than 15 years of training, I’ve learned that it requires thousands of repetitions of practicing a single technique to develop the muscle memory to react instinctively. Of equal importance is the type of training received. With the rapidly growing popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), it is imperative that officers are awakened to this new phenomenon.
Just as the name implies, MMA is a combination of different arts into one fighting system. Typically, training includes striking arts, such as Western Boxing and Thai Boxing, and ground fighting arts, such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling.
MMA practitioners are able to easily take an opponent to the ground and finish the fight with strikes or submissions (joint manipulations or chokes). While this has been very good for proving the street effectiveness of certain arts, or lack thereof, in some ways the core tenets of martial arts are becoming severely diminished.
What does this mean for law enforcement?
Ten years ago MMA schools were almost nonexistent in Texas. Today, there are well over 30 such schools in the Houston area alone. Traditionally, martial arts have instilled discipline, respect, pride, honor and perseverance in its students. There are a large percentage of people, however, that are joining MMA schools simply because they want to fight.
I am personally aware of several officers who have been confronted with the latter and have succeeded mainly because the suspects were heavily intoxicated. In one situation, two officers attempted to arrest a suspect who decided he did not want to go to jail that day. The suspect became combative and attacked both officers, preventing either from reaching their intermediate weapons.
The inebriated suspect eventually stumbled and the officers were finally able to gain the advantage. It was later discovered that the suspect was an MMA practitioner.
Although a number of these schools may not provide the proper training or values to their students, it is important to keep in mind that many are very well conditioned, and learn just enough to impose their will on those who know nothing.
My definition of Mixed Martial Arts is actually learning different fighting/self- defense styles, and as stated by Bruce Lee, “using what works best for you.” Since we all vary in physical structure and body type, this will be different for everyone.
Let’s take a look at just a few of the arts that I believe will be most beneficial for law enforcement.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai literally means Thai Boxing and originated in Thailand hundreds of years ago. Known for its devastating strikes, Thai Boxing utilizes the hardest parts of the body as weapons; elbows, knees and the shins are used for kicking.
Using low kicks and knees to the thighs of a suspect is non-aggressive in appearance, however, can be very effective in ending a confrontation or closing the distance when necessary. Conditioning is a critical component of Muay Thai.
Filipino Kali
Kali originated in the Philippines. Emphasis is placed on footwork, mobility and body positioning. The Kali angles of attack are the same with weapons or empty hands and limb impairment is the primary objective. Its motto is “Defang a Snake and Make it Harmless.” For example, if an attacker lunges with a knife, the Kali practitioner attacks the arm and hand with the knife, making it difficult or impossible to still hold the weapon.
We should all know as police officers never to engage in a confrontation with a knife with our empty hands or with our own knives. However, we have also been trained that you will not likely be able to unholster your weapon if a knife attacker is within 21 feet.
Therefore, it is essential for the officer to at least know how to create the distance to reach your weapon in such an attack.
Ground Fighting
There are many different styles used for ground fighting. The most popular today is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling. Quite frankly, there is probably no better art form at takedowns than collegiate wrestling. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is known for its excellent submissions and has very good techniques when the fight is on the ground.
One common argument among police officers is, “I don’t want to know how to fight on the ground, because I prefer not to be on the ground.”
I can understand that, but what happens when it is not your choice? For the inexperienced, being on the ground with a good grappler is like being left in the middle of the ocean and not knowing how to swim. Officers need to know how to take a violent suspect to the ground and how to control him when they get there.
Look at Credentials
In addition, officers need to be trained to prevent being taken to the ground and how to get up or reverse the suspect if it occurs. There are also more progressive ground fighting systems, such as Combat Submission Wrestling (CSW), which incorporates Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Shoot Wrestling, Russian Sombo, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling, and Filipino Dumog.
CSW is one of the most complete ground fighting systems and the one that I feel is the most effective for law enforcement. So how can you determine which schools are appropriate training facilities and offer the best training available?
Simply validate the instructor’s credentials. In my opinion, the true martial artist is always seeking improvement and is eager to learn from as many legitimate, qualified instructors as possible. This should be no different for police officers, which not only face problems with TDC inmates who train to disarm police officers, but also from trained athletes looking for a fight.
Even the U.S. Army and Marines now offer Mixed Martial Arts programs, and I’m aware of at least two incidents involving military MMA trainees trying to attack police officers. Fortunately for one officer, he also trains in MMA and was able to quickly prevent the attack.
I do not intend to send the wrong message. I’m not implying that Mixed Martial Arts in itself is negative, as I am currently an active participant. I simply wish to increase officer awareness of some instructors and trainees, who have neglected to preserve the true essence of martial arts.
Unfortunately, anyone can open a school, throw up a few bags, tell their students to punch and kick, and call it Mixed Martial Arts. The qualified instructor, however, must be able to teach proper footwork, body mechanics and body positioning. Patrol officers should be provided with the latest and most effective training available and be encouraged to train on their own so that technique becomes instinct.
A progressive defensive tactics program with qualified instruction will result in more confident officers, less use-of-force complaints, less use of intermediate weapons and the knowledge and conditioning necessary to survive a violent encounter. It also could be a valid recruiting tool for qualified applicants who are also interested in martial arts.
Police agencies are now beginning to adopt such programs and perhaps the Houston Police Department will soon follow suit. It is my mission to make the Houston Police training facility the model for law enforcement agencies statewide.
Until then, officers should seek out a quality training environment and start learning now.
Martial Arts have intrigued and entertained mankind for thousands of years. From the Roman Coliseum to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, spectators continue to gather to view competitors demonstrate their fighting proficiency.
Today, there are practically as many martial arts fighting systems as there are cultures. As someone who has studied and practiced various arts, including Goju Ryu Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Kung Fu, Western Boxing, Thai Boxing, Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, Silat, and Combat Submission Wrestling, I feel that it is my duty to create awareness within the law enforcement community.
Patrol officers are faced with numerous challenges. They are expected to take immediate action, make prudent decisions and maintain control of often chaotic situations, all in a matter of seconds.
This is where training and repetition become paramount.
Repetitions, Repetitions
In more than 15 years of training, I’ve learned that it requires thousands of repetitions of practicing a single technique to develop the muscle memory to react instinctively. Of equal importance is the type of training received. With the rapidly growing popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), it is imperative that officers are awakened to this new phenomenon.
Just as the name implies, MMA is a combination of different arts into one fighting system. Typically, training includes striking arts, such as Western Boxing and Thai Boxing, and ground fighting arts, such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling.
MMA practitioners are able to easily take an opponent to the ground and finish the fight with strikes or submissions (joint manipulations or chokes). While this has been very good for proving the street effectiveness of certain arts, or lack thereof, in some ways the core tenets of martial arts are becoming severely diminished.
What does this mean for law enforcement?
Ten years ago MMA schools were almost nonexistent in Texas. Today, there are well over 30 such schools in the Houston area alone. Traditionally, martial arts have instilled discipline, respect, pride, honor and perseverance in its students. There are a large percentage of people, however, that are joining MMA schools simply because they want to fight.
I am personally aware of several officers who have been confronted with the latter and have succeeded mainly because the suspects were heavily intoxicated. In one situation, two officers attempted to arrest a suspect who decided he did not want to go to jail that day. The suspect became combative and attacked both officers, preventing either from reaching their intermediate weapons.
The inebriated suspect eventually stumbled and the officers were finally able to gain the advantage. It was later discovered that the suspect was an MMA practitioner.
Although a number of these schools may not provide the proper training or values to their students, it is important to keep in mind that many are very well conditioned, and learn just enough to impose their will on those who know nothing.
My definition of Mixed Martial Arts is actually learning different fighting/self- defense styles, and as stated by Bruce Lee, “using what works best for you.” Since we all vary in physical structure and body type, this will be different for everyone.
Let’s take a look at just a few of the arts that I believe will be most beneficial for law enforcement.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai literally means Thai Boxing and originated in Thailand hundreds of years ago. Known for its devastating strikes, Thai Boxing utilizes the hardest parts of the body as weapons; elbows, knees and the shins are used for kicking.
Using low kicks and knees to the thighs of a suspect is non-aggressive in appearance, however, can be very effective in ending a confrontation or closing the distance when necessary. Conditioning is a critical component of Muay Thai.
Filipino Kali
Kali originated in the Philippines. Emphasis is placed on footwork, mobility and body positioning. The Kali angles of attack are the same with weapons or empty hands and limb impairment is the primary objective. Its motto is “Defang a Snake and Make it Harmless.” For example, if an attacker lunges with a knife, the Kali practitioner attacks the arm and hand with the knife, making it difficult or impossible to still hold the weapon.
We should all know as police officers never to engage in a confrontation with a knife with our empty hands or with our own knives. However, we have also been trained that you will not likely be able to unholster your weapon if a knife attacker is within 21 feet.
Therefore, it is essential for the officer to at least know how to create the distance to reach your weapon in such an attack.
Ground Fighting
There are many different styles used for ground fighting. The most popular today is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling. Quite frankly, there is probably no better art form at takedowns than collegiate wrestling. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is known for its excellent submissions and has very good techniques when the fight is on the ground.
One common argument among police officers is, “I don’t want to know how to fight on the ground, because I prefer not to be on the ground.”
I can understand that, but what happens when it is not your choice? For the inexperienced, being on the ground with a good grappler is like being left in the middle of the ocean and not knowing how to swim. Officers need to know how to take a violent suspect to the ground and how to control him when they get there.
Look at Credentials
In addition, officers need to be trained to prevent being taken to the ground and how to get up or reverse the suspect if it occurs. There are also more progressive ground fighting systems, such as Combat Submission Wrestling (CSW), which incorporates Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Shoot Wrestling, Russian Sombo, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling, and Filipino Dumog.
CSW is one of the most complete ground fighting systems and the one that I feel is the most effective for law enforcement. So how can you determine which schools are appropriate training facilities and offer the best training available?
Simply validate the instructor’s credentials. In my opinion, the true martial artist is always seeking improvement and is eager to learn from as many legitimate, qualified instructors as possible. This should be no different for police officers, which not only face problems with TDC inmates who train to disarm police officers, but also from trained athletes looking for a fight.
Even the U.S. Army and Marines now offer Mixed Martial Arts programs, and I’m aware of at least two incidents involving military MMA trainees trying to attack police officers. Fortunately for one officer, he also trains in MMA and was able to quickly prevent the attack.
I do not intend to send the wrong message. I’m not implying that Mixed Martial Arts in itself is negative, as I am currently an active participant. I simply wish to increase officer awareness of some instructors and trainees, who have neglected to preserve the true essence of martial arts.
Unfortunately, anyone can open a school, throw up a few bags, tell their students to punch and kick, and call it Mixed Martial Arts. The qualified instructor, however, must be able to teach proper footwork, body mechanics and body positioning. Patrol officers should be provided with the latest and most effective training available and be encouraged to train on their own so that technique becomes instinct.
A progressive defensive tactics program with qualified instruction will result in more confident officers, less use-of-force complaints, less use of intermediate weapons and the knowledge and conditioning necessary to survive a violent encounter. It also could be a valid recruiting tool for qualified applicants who are also interested in martial arts.
Police agencies are now beginning to adopt such programs and perhaps the Houston Police Department will soon follow suit. It is my mission to make the Houston Police training facility the model for law enforcement agencies statewide.
Until then, officers should seek out a quality training environment and start learning now.