Are You Leaving Out This Important Factor in Your Self Defense or Defensive Tactics Training?

Are You Leaving Out This Important Factor in Your Self Defense or Defensive Tactics Training?
Muscle Contraction and Limb Retraction and Defensive Tactics for Street Survival Self Defense

One of the more frequently made errors in DEFENSIVE TACTICS instruction for law enforcement (Police, Security, Corrections), Military and other SELF DEFENSE instruction is neglecting the retraction factor.  It leaves many officers wondering why their slick move they learned at the Academy didn't work.

The retraction factor is the bodies natural response that occurs when adapting to a perceived challenge in a fighting situation.  For example, if an officer attempts to apply an arm bar or similar lock, the natural reaction for the body is to tense up, resist and often pull the other way.  Try to grab the fingers, and they ball up in a fist and yank away.  Try to grab a knife weilding hand and they yank it back.  The body usually returns to center, or condenses itself when adapting and defending.  The muscles contract, stiffen and reinforce the limb and make it more difficult to articulate and manipulate.

Advanced martial artists and more skilled individuals count on this as part of their application of the tactic and gain a strategic advantage by persuading the individual to go in the direction they want.    They might for example push to get the subject to pull themselves into the technique the officer wants. 

In order to apply this tactic, it takes training with various types of bodies under stress and with dynamic adaptation (resistance and adaptation) in training.  It comes only with experience and lots of practice in training.  It becomes even more important if there is a disparity of size, structure or strength of the officer and subject. 

When fighting for your life, an officer's skills need to be highly adaptable.  In the military, the fighting principle is "combat flexibility".  The ability to adapt to the situation, terrain, conditions, and context of the enemy is critical to formulate an effective winning strategy.  This is why it is so critical to use scenario based training with resistance, adaptation and allowing subjects to counter the officer.  It forces the officer to problem solve and integrate and account for these reactions into the tactics of their training. 

Train smart, train strong and stay safe.


http://scottsdaleexecutivesecurity.com/
http://usa-martialarts.com/

Will Your Self Defense or Defensive Tactics Function Under Stress?

A Closer Look at Heart Rate and Performing Tactical or Defensive Tactics/Self Defense Under Stress
By John D. Nottingham, founder Nottingham Sword & Shield Security & Training, co-director of training at HelixTactical.com

Sources:
Bruce Siddle "Sharpening the Warriors Edge: The Psychology and Science of Training"
Loren W. Christensen "Defensive Tactics: Modern Arrest and Control Techniques for Today's Police Warrior"
Dr. Hal Breedlove "Survival Stress Reaction"
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman "On Combat"

• Why is it that trained law enforcement, military, and even Black Belts can have difficulty performing under stress- when it matters most?  

• What are the effects of adrenaline induced stress response of the human body?

Let's look at it from a physiological point of view...

Notice: The following statistics are based on an average person and exceptions do exist.  Training and other factors can influence the functionality, response and duration of these effects.

Around 115 BPM (Heart Beats Per Minute)
Loss of fine motor skills ie finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination.
Result: Difficulty in unlocking coded door lock, locate, select and manipulate a key to open a door.  Multitasking difficult.

Around 145 bpm
Loss of complex motor skills IE movements involving a series of muscle groups such as eye-hand coordination, precise tracking of movement and precision timing.

Around 175 bpm
Tunnel vision and loss of depth perception, initial loss of memory of what took place (though reports indicated there is usually a 30% recall ofter the first 24 hours, 50% after two days, and 75-95% after three to four days.)

185-220 bmp range
Hyper-vigilance IE "deer in headlights".  Often characterized by performing actions that are functionally useless such as continuing to turn a doorknob on a locked door.  Often, individuals are unable to move or scream.  If they do move, they sometimes do irrationally by leaving their place of cover.

In my next article I will discuss some factors that influence the natural human reaction to survival stress and how training can not only reduce these effects but agents can inoculate themselves to be able to perform even during times of stress elevated heart rates.


http://NottinghamSwordandShieldSecurity.com
http://USA-MartialArts.com

Sources and recommended reading:

Bruce Siddle "Sharpening the Warriors Edge: The Psychology and Science of Training"

Loren W. Christensen "Defensive Tactics: Modern Arrest and Control Techniques for Today's Police Warrior"

Dr. Hal Breedlove "Survival Stress Reaction"

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman "On Combat"

How Effective is Your DT Really? Can You Perform When It Most Counts?

Will You Be Able To Perform Under Stress When It Most Counts and Your Life Is On The Line?

Bodyguards, Police, Security and Protective Agents - A Nagging Question
Every LEO Police, Guard or Close Protection Agent (bodyguard) needs to have confidence in his or her ability to get the job done and go home safe to one's family.  When push comes to shove, do you really have what it takes do avoid injury and liability?

Learn The Truth About Your Real Abilities

This blog article is not designed to disparage any training method you have had, rather it is to encourage operators to ask honest questions that get to the truth and purpose of their training.  It could be a starting point that eventually saves your life, or that of another person.

Are you learning proven, effective techniques and strategies that are best for you?  

A scientific method or process is considered fundamental to the scientific investigation and acquisition of new knowledge based upon physical evidence. Scientists use observations, hypotheses and deductions to propose explanations for natural phenomena in the form of theories. Predictions from these theories are tested by experiment. If a prediction turns out to be correct, the theory survives. Any theory which is cogent enough to make predictions can then be tested reproducibly in this way. The method is commonly taken as the underlying logic of scientific practice. A scientific method is essentially an extremely cautious means of building a supportable, evidence-based understanding of our natural world.

The basis of all of my firms training is efficacy.  

That is, it doesn't matter what big name teacher you had, what "undefeatable" system you learned or if you tow the blue line with the minimum Academy training.  It doesn't matter how cool your gear looks, what muscles you have built or that you "can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee." Knowledge is never to be confused with ability.

Just because you know something doesn't mean you can use it.  

Knowledge without ability to implement is nothing more than persuasive conversation and interesting trivia.  YOUR ability is the factor that matters most.  When push comes to shove, can you deliver when needed? Can your partners and buddies depend on you?  Can you depend on your ability to execute good judgement and skills and bring to bear the necessary attributes to survive or properly manage a violent encounter?

Military, Law Enforcement, Police, SWAT, Security, Corrections Training In Phoenix Arizona

So how do you know if you can actually perform in the 4-6 most critical seconds of your life?

One of the best methods we've found is through continual testing.  This reveals one's ability to think under stress, assess situations, and match skills and a strategy to the problems.  Some of the most important elements in our training include Adrenal Stress Conditioning, Stress Inoculation Training, Situational Strategy Selection in Scenario Based Training.  Although simulating combat is never the same as actual combat, we've found it to be the best way to safely training and quickly improve an individuals skills and abilities.  

You'll find this is a consistent training pursuit among elite units such as SWAT, Special Forces and other Special Operations units.  Why?  It provides quick and accurate feedback for adjustment.  It eliminates a lot of guesswork and the human emotions and opinions that often cloud feedback.  

Hand to Hand Combat, Patrol Combatives, Police Defensive Tactics, Use of Force Options, Close Quarters Combat, Street Survival Training 

Experiential education trumps all others.  The idea is to immerse the individual in the situation so that they have real time problems to solve.  Then, using after action reviews (acrostic AAR in military jargon) the individual is given the opportunity to critique themselves before the instructors do and build on the experience.  The instructors can then provide solutions and suggestions for the individual to try on the next round and immediately implement the corrections.  It is not only highly effective, but highly rewarding because it builds confidence through competence.

If you would like to test your skills or sharpen your abilities I invite you to visit http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecurity.com for some internet training specials and upcoming course dates.  Mission specific and force specific training solutions are developed on a case-by-case basis.  

About

John Nottingham works under contract with HELIX Tactical , Arizona Security Professionals and other agencies to provide cutting-edge training and testing for "Protectors", ie Military, Law Enforcement, Security and Corrections.  He is the owner of Nottingham Sword & Shield Security tactical training and executive protection firm based in Scottsdale/Phoenix Arizona USA. http://scottsdaleexecutivesecurity.com

One Size Does Not Fit All for Training

Our Subject Matter Expert & UFC Champ Dan "THE BEAST"
Severn Teaching Defensive Tactics to Police Officers

One Size Does Not Fit All for Training
The Problematic Nature of Generic Training
Military, Law Enforcement, Security and First Responders Training
by John D. Nottingham http://NottinghamSwordandShieldSecurity.com 

Law Enforcement Officers including Police, Military, Security and various other protective and response agents engage our services to assess their skills and advise them on enhancement drills and tools.  LEOs, even DT Instructors, despite their training, all too often attempt to apply the same techniques in every situation.

"We never rise to the level of expectation. We fall to the level of our training." -Special Forces maxim

Disparity: Size, Mechanics, Leverage and Structure
One example is when many LEO's attempt an arm bar on a person considerably larger than themselves expecting it to work the same as it would on a subject smaller (relative to themselves).  Of course, this is not isolated merely to arm bars.  While in discussion, the officer would likely point out that it would be a problem and consciously make the logical decision that a different tactic should be used. Yet in the scenario or on the street they revert to the same move.

This fact is confirmed with video footage of both training and live video of street scenarios.  The result is most often, escalation of force, thus higher risk to the LEO, increased liability and increased variables to manage.  The higher number of variables to manage, the slower the response time, and the higher the risk to officer safety and general liability.

We discovered and employ methods to overcome this common training problem.
1. Train for proper assessments and prioritization
2. Let them play both roles of LEO and subject with resistance
3. Allow them to resist and adapt without warning or set ups - keep it dynamic and fluid
4. Scenario based training with various body styles and fitness, flexibility, pain threshold, and attitudinal attributes.  Human conflict is dynamic, therefore the training must be as well.
5. Force problem solving situations into the training equation and do video analysis, after action reviews, encourage positive peer instruction and honest feedback
6. Objectively test

Training for Safety - Go Slow
One of the key benefits of our system is the safety mechanisms in place to protect the trainees, yet still develop highly effective skill sets and attributes.  Of course this is not to advocate a plethora of techniques either.  This would be in contradiction to Hicks law - one of our foundational guiding principles.

"Slow is smooth, smooth is efficient."-Special Forces maxim

Highly Adaptable Tactics
Instead, our recommendation is a small set of highly adaptable tools, tactics, concepts and principles that emphasize superior assessment, strategy, psychology, leverage and positioning.  The best way to describe it would be adding a turbo charger to existing training.  It usually does not replace training, it enhances it through functional drilling and application training.

"We are sometimes criticized for our slow motion training.  However, when we get to the testing phase, we enjoy watching the nay-sayers eat crow as they are forced by clear evidence to praise the performance of our clients.  It's one of our secrets to safety.  If you're injured, intimidated or discouraged - you can't train."

The Situation Dictates The Response
Granted, you have to start with a foundation of basics that develop body awareness, assessment skills, and a few tools (techniques) that work in most situations.  However, a problem facing most "standardized" training programs is the lack of transferability, adaptation and proper application.  Given the constraints of budget, allocated training time and the prevailing "blue" doctrine, this will continue to be a challenge.  With that we will continue to have officers sneak over to us to build their confidence and enhance skills that they are too intimidated to admit or unwilling to reveal to their department.  Government is historically slow to react.  We're happy to serve.

Maintain the public trust and lead by example.
Train.  It's not a suggestion, it is your duty.

For more information about John Nottingham or NTS Tactical
http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecurity.com
* Photo: courtesy Master Brian Van Patten - USA Martial Arts Antioch Illinois.

Dan "The Beast" Severn to teach Illinois Police and Security

UFC Champion and wrestling legend Dan Severn will conduct Modern MMA "The Dangerzone: Defensive Tactics" (DT) training for law enforcement including Police, Military, Security and those in protective services for two days in Antioch Illinois.

According to co-host and DT Instructor John Nottingham, "The objective is to familiarize law enforcement with the increasingly popular techniques that suspects may be using. It is imperative for officer survival and to offer effective arrest and control options that are functional even under stress. Protectors like security and law enforcement's training and tactics need to evolve as criminal tactics do. "

The Police training event is underwritten by Nottingham Sword & Shield Security and hosted at VanPatten's USA Martial Arts of Antioch and provided free to officers and security professionals.

Nottingham continues, "I come from a military, martial arts and bodyguard background. We believe that more training means more options; in particular, not having to use lethal force like the firearm. That's specifically why our training is infused with bodyguard diffusion and escort techniques for resistive suspects, stress and fear management, confidence building and stress inoculation. Proper use of force is taught at every level to avoid costly liability to the department and ultimately, taxpayers. Ultimately, our goal is to equip officers to be able to go home safe to their families."

MMA, or MIXED MARTIAL ARTS like featured on popular Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) seminars will be open to the public for beginners to experienced individuals to learn directly from the UFC Champion. Dan is one of the few inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame with the likes of Randy Couture, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Mark Coleman, and Chuck Liddell. Others may recognize him from his distinguished wrestling background including being an alternate to the Olympic Wrestling Team and a WWE Superstar. Contact USA Martial Arts for MMA seminar pricing.

For more information contact:
Local event coordinator: Officer Eric Gugel, Lindenhurst Police Department
Event host: Master Brian Van Patten, USA Martial Arts Antioch Illinois
Have confidence when it most counts. How to survive the most critical seconds of your life.
When: March 9th and 10th. Call for specific seminar times. MMA and DT seminars will be held in the evening on both days.
Where: USA Martial Arts Antioch Illinois across from Super Wal Mart
USA Martial Arts Academy of Antioch Illinois
22221 W IL Rte 173, Antioch IL 60002
Tel.: 1-847-838-0605
E-mail: antiochil@usamartialartsacademy.com
Ask for: Brian Van Patten/Dan Skrzypek
Hosts/Instructors: John Nottingham, Brian Van Patten, Dan Severn, Eric Gugel
Sponsors: USA MARTIAL ARTS in cooperation with NOTTINGHAM SWORD & SHIELD SECURITY
Special Bonus: Register now and get an autograph and photo session with UFC Champion Dan “The Beast” Severn included FREE.
* Limited space available.

http://scottsdaleexecutivesecurity.com/

http://usa-martialarts.com/

http://www.usamartialartsschools.com/