Ground Rules Academy + ADOPT A COP
ADOPT A COP partners with Ground Rules Academy
I’m very pleased to announce that Ground Rules Academy has entered into an affiliation with the ADOPT A COP program. In short, local police officers can train for free until they are promoted from white belt to blue belt. There are program requirements, but any interested officers should reach out to me here and apply through the ADOPT A COP website.
BJJ for Law enforcement
Why are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu skills important for law enforcement officers? Being skilled at BJJ feels like having a super power. Allow me elaborate. When your begin your BJJ journey, the only tools you have to protect yourself are physical strength and stamina (IF you’ve managed to stay in shape). You’ll learn very quickly that strength and stamina only last for a few minutes before your muscles start to burn and cramp, you uncontrollably gasp for air, your mind becomes clouded with panic, and you’re effectively helpless. Rolling with fellow beginner-level students (white and blue belts) is often a war of attrition. You will gradually find success over time as your stamina increases and you learn few techniques, but the battles rage on for several years.
Rolling with a more advanced student (brown or black belt), however, is a totally different beast. It’s almost as if they can see into the future. They will always be a few steps ahead of you, and no matter where you turn, they seem to effortlessly control your every move. This advanced student has so many hours of mat time that they can anticipate your actions, control your movement, and keep both of you safe in the process. Do you see where I’m going with this?
Furthermore, the advanced student seems to rarely get tired because the techniques are so ingrained into their nervous system that they can react efficiently, with only the most effective applications of strength. This is why jiu jitsu is often called the gentle art.
Secondary benefits of training for Officers
Where do I begin? Fitness. Comradery. A healthy outlet for stress relief. Humility. Simply by training in a modality that avoids strikes, an officer may be able to safely control a subject who is a threat to himself and others WITHOUT the use excessive force. Again, the gentle art.
Safety for Officers and Civilians
Ultimately, training in BJJ will help keep officers and civilians safer. Law enforcement can be an outrageously difficult, stressful, and dangerous job. If I can donate my expertise (education and BJJ) to increase the likelihood that a local officer will live long enough to attend his or her child’s wedding, then sign me up.