Instructing?

Smokin Joe · 07-28-2005, 17:03

Currently I'm teaching our academy's Defensive Tactics courses. The cadets are retaining the material and moving along well in the "technical" areas. At the beginning before I taught them anything I taught a mindset class and since the beginning I have been reiterating the importance of their mindset.

Well today I gave them a small evaluation. First I instructed them on several strikes and nerve endings such as the Tibial nerve, the Common Peornial, the Radial nerve, etc etc.

They all demonstrated technical proficiency. I then gave them the evaluation. They had to strike the above nerve endings with 100% (or as close to 100% as they could possibly generate).

Here is my issue: Several wouldn't do it. They could not deliver 100% power due to their fear of hurting their class mate. I'm not into hurting students for no reason; however I think they need to be able to demonstrate that they can do these strikes with 100% power.

This has always been a problem with our new recruits. Mainly because they don’t believe in the very real danger that awaits them upon graduation.

I need some help on training this attitude out of these guys. Help, recommendations, links, resources, etc are all welcome.

Thank you,

Joe

**Kyobanim** · 07-28-2005, 18:34

If they have developed the muscle memory to perform the technique accurately all the time, why the need to deliver 100%?

In the greater scheme of things, IMO of course, I would be happier with a student that could do it with accuracy and still have the control to be able to pull the hit. Bring in a stranger and get them wound up and I bet they are better than the ones that hit at 100%.

Again, just my opinion.

Smokin Joe · 07-28-2005, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyobanim

If they have developed the muscle memory to perform the technique accurately all the time, why the need to deliver 100%?

In the greater scheme of things, IMO of course, I would be happier with a student that could do it with accuracy and still have the control to be able to pull the hit. Bring in a stranger and get them wound up and I bet they are better than the ones that hit at 100%.

Again, just my opinion.

Unfortunately Kyo,

They don't have the muscle memory. I only get 42 hours to instruct all of our D.T. stuff including Baton, O.C. spray, Taser, and Handcuffing.

The only thing they are doing 100% is strikes to the above stated nerve endings.

**Peregrino** · 07-28-2005, 19:20

SJ - Good Luck. What you describe is typical of "properly" socialized persons.

Here's some reading that may give you an insight into addressing the problem. (I'm not an LEO or a shrink - I have no professional credentials that will withstand scrutiny in a court of law - and that's the advice you need in this professional context. That's why you get the reading list - so you can explain why you did something to "modify" societal conditioning. Required disclaimer!)

"On Killing" by Grossman
"Training at the Speed of Life" by Murray
"Force Under Pressure, How Cops Live and Why They Die" by Blum

All of these also include extensive bibliographies with additional reading. The www.armiger.net website also has a link to Amazon.com where some of the more comprehensive titles are for sale.

Kyobanim does have a point about the advisability of 100% effort during training. I would encourage you to limit "Combat Speed" drills to Redman or Tony Blauer's protective systems. Full power against "friendly" training partners is likely to leave training scars that will negatively impact future street performance.

Just a couple hints. This does not answer your immediate need but it will help the next time you get stuck with this detail. Training, especially for combat is an evolving science. Much of what we thought we knew about adapting normal people for combat is proving to be inadequate. (Actually that's probably more true about dealing with the aftermath. Survival instincts will usually get the average well trained person through their first encounter.) If you can figure out how to bypass the conditioning without creating a bunch of sociopaths - please share it with the rest of us. My .02 - Peregrino

RLK · 07-28-2005, 19:51

Having been on the receiving end of a brachial (sp?) stun, femoral strike and the like, are you sure you really want your students laying the smack down full force?

Smokin Joe · 07-28-2005, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLK

Having been on the receiving end of a brachial (sp?) stun, femoral strike and the like, are you sure you really want your students laying the smack down full force?

Its a 1 shot deal.

They only perform it 1 time throughout the entire training.

Peregrino,

Thank you for the links and resources. "On Killing" is actually next on my reading list anyways so I just need to acquire the others.

After re-reading my original post I'm not sure if I'm effectively articulating the deficiencies that I'm seeing. Its more of an inablitiy to commit or a lack of conviction if you will. Almost (but not quite) the "On no that won't happen to me" mentality....almost complacency (without ever doing the job).