AKS Quarterly Newsletter

"The Punchline Editorial"
March 2016

Teaching Police Self-defense;
What Martial Arts Instructors Should Know!

This article is the result of the class (same subject) I taught at a past year's AKS summer camp.  Several people suggested to me that I write about what I taught.  So this continues part two of a two-part article.  Please feel free to review part one of this article by reading the December 2015 Punchline.

Teaching Cops

Because of the very nature of police work, an officer does not have the luxury of avoiding conflict.  Whether it's responding to a fight in progress, an argument between two citizens on the street, an armed robbery in progress, or a domestic disturbance, the officer is wading into a situation that has some known parameters, while others remain a mystery.  Such situations have the possibility of changing rapidly, requiring officers to be quick on their feet in order to be able to react appropriately.

The officer's ability to defend himself must include basic defensive tactics that provide defense and counter movements to a simple push or grab, or an attempt to kick or punch him.  Officers must also possess the ability to defend against attacks by a variety of weapons from broken bottles to firearms.  What they learn at the academy does not suffice.  Over the process of six or so months there might be one or two whole days where such training is provided.  As any martial arts instructor knows, this is not nearly enough.  Because of this I've taken the approach of focusing on three simple wrist/arm lock techniques taught over an eight hour period with a great deal of repeating the moves on both left and right sides, and with different partners.

The instructor must keep in mind that officers will write a report describing the situation that resulted in his use of force.  That description will be detailed in both what he did and why he did it.   The following is a simple example:

At approximately 2130 hours this officer was dispatched to 3113 Ransom drive where neighbors were complaining of loud noise.  I arrived at the above address at approximately 2140 hours.  As I pulled in front of the residence, I heard yelling and observed two male individuals standing in front of the house pointing fingers at each other.   I was approached by a neighbor who advised me this disturbance had been going on for over an hour.  The neighbor, identified as Robert Lonesome, DOB 1/15/1973, of 3115 Ransom drive, explained to this officer that the two doing the yelling were brothers who had a history of fighting with each other when they'd been drinking.  I approached the two individuals, later identified as Joseph Jones, DOB 6/10/1980, and James Jones, DOB 9/20/1985, facing each other and yelling with their arms waving in the air.  The residence belonged to Joseph.  His brother James was visiting from the other side of town.  I noticed several empty twelve pack beer containers lying around the yard.  Each of the brothers was holding a can of beer that appeared to have been only partially full.  I was approached from behind by officer Juan Rosales who had responded as my back up.  We proceeded to separate the brothers and question them regarding the noise complaint and argument they were engaged in.  It was discovered they were arguing over a debt one owed the other.  After more questioning, it became apparent leaving the two individuals together would not solve the problem.  The older brother (Joseph) was willing to go inside and allow the argument to subside.  The younger brother (James) wanted to continue the argument and was not willing to disengage.  Both individuals were intoxicated.  Joseph was able to walk under his own control.  James had trouble standing and maintaining his balance.  Since James refused to cooperate, he was advised he was being placed under arrest for public intoxication.  Joseph was instructed to go inside his residence and remain there.  He was advised any further disturbance on his part would result in his arrest.  I approached James and reached for his right arm just above the elbow with my left hand to escort him to my police car.  As I took hold of his arm he attempted to pull away.  I placed my right hand on the back of his right hand pivoting his arm into an arm lock behind his back with his right elbow under my right armpit in between the right side of my chest and right arm.  While in the process of subduing James, he attempted to kick me with his right leg.  It was at this same moment officer Rosales took hold of Mr. Lonesome's left arm placing it into an arm bar.  The combination of holds allowed us to walk Mr. Lonesome to my police cruiser where he was bent over the trunk, placed in handcuffs and searched.  Throughout the process Mr. Lonesome continued to struggle against our grip while also continuing a non-stop verbal assault with very crude and abusive language.  Mr. Lonesome was transported to the police department booking area and processed for public intoxication and resisting arrest.

This is just an example of how an officer might write his report regarding the arrest and how he justifies his use of force.  You can see the detail that is required.

I also include with the instruction I give the officers on defensive tactics an explanation of how they must talk to the subject using "Verbal Judo."  This is a concept developed by George Thompson, PhD, that employs verbal reactions to verbal abuse.  It requires officers to remain calm, professional and in control, regardless of what is being said to or about him, which in most cases brings the officer's family members and ancestors into the abuse.

The training provided officers must emphasize the importance of control, both of the subject(s) and of the officer's emotions.  If the officer allows the subject to get him mad and respond to the verbal abuse, the subject will have won since he was able to take away the officer's professional demeanor.  This is what we see in cases where officers exceed the responsible level of force they should have used, which more frequently is being captured on someone's cell phone.

Tactical Training; Locks, bars, etc

Martial arts instructors must remember police officers are limited in their training time, as well as the frequency of that training.  Where we would like to work with them weekly over several months to build up their conditioned reflexes and self-confidence, the lack of support and training funds from their respective departments make that difficult at best.

As previously mentioned, I focus on three basic wrist locks, a couple of arm bars that work in conjunction with those locks, along with a few key pressure points.  These are techniques I have used over the years and found to be most effective.  Remember, the goal is to get the subject under control and secured by restraints.  By keeping the training simple (K.I.S.S. principle) the officers are able to learn them during the process of an eight hour training day because of the redundant application and practice method of each technique.  Once the officers have developed a functional knowledge of each technique (wrist lock, etc), I show them variations of those moves against different attacks and situations.  After working with one technique for approximately 50 minutes, we take a short break.  Once we've returned, the officers are partnered with a different person and they review what they had been taught prior to the break, before starting on the next technique or application.

Throughout the day I demonstrate for them other situations that may arise in the field where an officer is required to defend him/herself.  Since some scenarios may be more involved than the offender attempting to pull away, the officers must be on their toes and ready to respond to being grabbed, kicked, punched, or a variety of other attacks.  It's important to help them develop an understanding of situational awareness throughout this process.  Is the subject alone?  Are there family members present (as in the officers responding to a domestic disturbance at a residence or in a park)?  Is the officer responding to a disturbance in a bar of other establishment that serves alcohol?  As you can see, instructors must know the variety of situations and locations officers may be in when their need for defensive tactics occurs.

Conclusion

There are distinct differences between teaching self-defense to civilians, as opposed to teaching police officers.  As mentioned earlier the civilian is reacting to an aggressor.  In the case of the officer, he is the aggressor and he must take the person into custody once the decision to arrest has been made.

The tactics and amount of force an officer uses is predicated on the cooperative nature of the subject, or lack thereof.  If the subject is cooperative, no force is required.  If the subject is combative, then force is used.  The officer's conduct and use of force must be able to pass the scrutiny of non-police personnel who may be present during the struggle to restrain and subdue the subject prior to transport.  It must also be able to pass the legal examination that will likely follow as well.  Remember, when all is said and done, that officer will be writing up a detailed arrest report that will include what necessitated the use of force. The officer will literally create a verbal picture for the reader of what he initiated, how the subject reacted, and the actions the officer took to counter the subject's actions (if he resisted) in order to place him in restraints prior to transport.

The amount of time allocated to officers for training by their respective departments will be limited.  It's important to encourage officers to seek training in other locations on their own.  Because of the attitude many have regarding this training - they expect the department to schedule and pay for both the training and their time - they will not likely listen to or follow such recommendations.  Instructors must strive to inject throughout the training process that it is the officer's own safety and well being that must be taken into consideration.  Regardless of the support (if any) their department provides, they alone are responsible for developing the skills and knowledge that will help them return home to their loved ones after each shift.

Instructors must also keep in mind police administrators as a whole do not understand, let alone appreciate the benefits of a well structured defensive training program for their personnel.  Because of this, policies these chiefs-of-police publish are oft times flawed.  An example of this would be the policy LAPD had regarding the use of their PR-24s (a Tonfa to those of us in the martial arts community).  This was brought to light in the Rodney King case where five or so officer stood over a prostrate King and beat him with the PR-24s.  The department's policy said the officers were allowed to use these impact weapons "as long as the subject was non-complaint."  King may not have been complying with the officer's instructions, but he was also not threatening them.  A person being a threat or resisting are key ingredients that must be present for the officer to employ defensive tactics and force.  In the King example, the officers could have easily laid hands on the subject in order to place him in restraints in preparation for transportation.  If you, as a martial arts professional, have the opportunity to influence a department's policy regarding a defensive tactics program, I encourage you to seek guidance from those of us who are both cops and martial arts instructors.  We have a unique understanding of the importance of ensuring policy and training work towards their mutual benefit (a symbiotic relationship).

Remember, when civilians are taught to defend themselves they are instructed to use only the force necessary to stop the attack.  They are taught once the attacker is no longer aggressive towards them (no longer a threat), they must back off as well.  The likely hood of scrutiny by others in a civilian defensive scenario, as compared to that of a police officer, is much less.  Police are also taught that their use of force must be limited to the subduing and restraining of the subject.  The possibility of media coverage occurring when the situation involves only civilians is much less than when police are involved.  There are examples where the media has gotten involved in covering a civilian&339;s use of force.  The case of Zimmerman and Martin come quickly to mind.  There are many more examples involving members of the law enforcement community.

Once the police and legal system have validated the self-defense justification, the civilian is finished with what happened and free to go.  They may face civil (tort) litigation, but the criminal concerns will have ended.   Not necessarily so for officers.  Cops will be involved in the legal process for weeks if not months.  They will have to testify in court in many cases justifying and re-justifying the actions they took.  They are also, in some cases, not protected from civil litigation.  If they have a strong case and their actions and conduct were according to their respective states criminal code of procedures, as well as departmental policy, they will usually come out clear in the end.  Sadly though, the emotional price they'll pay may end up in the officer choosing a different career path.

If you teach police defensive tactic, be sure to teach them a clear understanding of what is appropriate in one case versus another.  Krav Magra training is appropriate in a case where the subject is attempting to take the officer's gun or assault him with a weapon of some sort.  This enters the "deadly force" category.  It is not appropriate for taking control of a drunk who is resisting or someone who is merely trying to keep from being arrested by getting away from the officer.

Lastly, make every effort to develop a clear understanding of what is appropriate use of force for your respective state.  Educate yourself on the department&339;s policy concerning the officer(s) you may begin to teach.  In the end, the more knowledge and understanding you have regarding what the limitations police in your area have when using force, the better prepared you will be to teach them.

Michael A. Sullenger, Chief of Police, Valley International Airport
Chief Instructor American Karate System; www.aks-usa.org (See bio for more info.)

Looking Toward the Future

It seems like most karateka I talk to all have the same complaint.  Karate is dying and there doesn't seem to be much we can do about it.  I have to admit, I sometimes have these same feelings.  Well I can't worry about all the other styles of karate.  I really am only concerned with the AKS.

Last Punchline I tried to give everyone some tips on how to Market their clubs.  Remember, sales drives the world and if you're not selling, you must be standing still.  I mentioned making a business card to promote the class or club that you belong to and train with.  Let's send some of these finished cards into Laura so that they get published in the newsletter.  Hopefully inspiring others to create their own club business card.  Of course we have to do more than just those basic marketing tips.

In recent conversations with my Phys-Ed Boss at Muskegon Community College, and also with a young black belt from a different style, they both mentioned to me (not a unique idea), but something I really hadn't given much thought.  Change the way we talk about what we do.  A rebranding so to speak.  If you don't know branding, here is the definition: "The marketing practice of creating a name, symbol or design that identifies and differentiates a product from other products."  An effective brand strategy gives you a major edge in increasingly competitive markets.  At one time, the concept of the AKS was a brand unto itself.  Unfortunately, many other styles placed the word American in front of their style name and American Karate System became just another type of karate in the eyes of the uninitiated.

So even though we don't really want to change how we practice karate, we need to change how we talk about it.  We also need to change how we present it to our communities.  Now I know, as a style, we started out to be eclectic in our thought processes.  We were going to make the AKS an American Karate, not hindered by the stuffy traditions pushed by the Asians styles.  Unfortunately, as I look at our style, we have become the stuffy traditionalist.  We are as traditional or more traditional than most of what I call traditional styles.  Some of this is ok, I really don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water.  Here are some "Branding" ideas that we can talk about as we move forward:

1. Down play the word karate when you talk about what you do.  Use the term karate based, in conjunction with self- defense.  Or reality based karate.  You're not giving up on karate you're just trying to remove that tired picture of lines of people standing in place punching or kicking the air.  We all know that a certain amount of that needs to be done.  Yet try and invent some other ways to do it.  Do more partner drills so students will keep moving.  All this can be left up to the instructor's imagination.


2. Our uniforms.  I know I'm opening a can of worms here, but our traditional white and black uniforms are traditional.  Now I don't want to get rid of them, and I don't want to add any more stripes or patches.  Let's think color.  Dark gray and navy blue intrigue me, even a dark red.  Of course we should come to some agreement as a style.  Possibly using all of these colors.  Even a uniform made of blue denim.  We just have to keep an open mind in this "Branding" process.


3. Using social media, like Facebook or Twitter.  I recently saw a selection of pictures on FB from the Muskegon, American Karate Club.  An award ceremony.  There were a lot of people getting certificates.  We need to see more of that.  They have an AKS group page, they also should create a FB fan page for their club.  They also should post those images on the AKS FB fan page.  All clubs should be doing these things.  I haven't used Twitter, but we should.  Create little videos of maybe one exciting technique or combination of techniques.  Rehearse them well, then post them for all to see.  Don't do too much talking, just show the technique.  Include the AKS website address in your social media post.


4. Change how you talk about Kata / Forms.  I will never stop training forms.  Yet we can do a better job explaining to students, and potential students, why they're important.  I recently posted on the AKS fan page a video of a karateka practicing different forms.  In the video it would cut between the karateka and an MMA fighter.  The karateka doing a move from a form, then the same move using actual footage performed by an MMA fighter throwing his opponent the ground.  It cut back to the karateka doing an elbow strike in the form, it then cut back to a MMA fighter hammering his opponent with the same elbow.  Go to the AKS fan page and watch the video.  The idea was to translate to the audience what karate forms and training is all about.  MMA may be the most popular martial art sport at the moment.  Many people like it, but many people don't understand that training in karate will prepare a student just as well.  We need to piggy-back on the MMA craze.  We have to show people how we are the same and yet how we are different.  Also, how we are safer in the long run.  Lastly, when it comes to social media don't hesitate to share something that catches your eye.  Even if it's from a different style, we do most of what every other style does.  So good videos on our AKS fan pages and group pages get shared and people will see and associate them with us.


5. Krav Maga is the Israeli form of self-defense.  They actually don't do as many things as we do in their training.  What they do well is push the reality based self-defense.  When they put on demos, they bring the pads and sparring gear.  They demonstrate using this stuff, so they can hit a little harder when doing technique.  They also slam into the portable kicking pads with a lot of enthusiasm.  Now they don't kick and punch any harder than we do.  Yet people see them as real and what we do as not real.  We have to change that.  Now, we are not going to join Krav Maga.  Although with a little effort in the way we perform during our demos, and some of our class situations, people should look at us and think, "Are they doing Krav Maga?"  Hence what we practice is just as real as Krav Maga.  Perception is everything.

Lastly, I would remind everyone that these are only suggestions to think about.  Even if we only implement a couple of the ideas listed above, we wouldn't be any worse off.  Don't be afraid of change.  Don't be afraid to think outside of the box (tradition).  Keep training hard, and talk up these ideas with your club mates.  Hopefully this generates some conversation at our annual summer camp.  Which will keep our dream alive.

"Luke, Go with Your Attitude cuz Feelings Lie"

You may have heard it said, "Give honor unto whom honor is due."   Honor.  Hmmm . . . That is not something we do well in this century.  It was not too long ago that people bowed and curtsied to each other.  I am old enough that I remember being taught how to bow in school... how to say yes sir, and yes ma'am.... and yes, children . . . they did have cars then.

When was the last time someone showed you honor or you showed honor to someone else?  That is, showed honor outside of a Karate class?  We show honor in class regularly.  I am honored that students ask me questions and that Black Belts will sacrifice their time to teach me.  Because the requirements of training sometimes requires close physical contact, sometimes we are not particularly fond of other karate class members.

For example, "Why do we always have to do what they want!  Well, I suppose sometimes they do what we want but . . . we are always taking care of them!  What? . . . Okay, well . . . yes, sometimes they teach us.  But they hurt us . . . Okay, sometimes we hurt them too but . . . "  Yes, sometimes we can't stand them.  However, if someone outside our class says anything against them, you know we will come out fighting.  It sounds a lot like a family doesn't it?

We fight, mope, and then eventually after the hurts heal, we come back together or at least we should.   And yes, sometimes, dad with his 8 stripes has to say . . . "Don't make me come over there."  Just like in a family.

Family is our goal.  At three in the morning when the baby is crying and you are throwing up, you do not feel like getting up and taking care of that child.  At that point, you do not feel love for the child, but you do get up, because the child is family.  You put on an attitude of love, even when you do not feel it.

When we pass on, the family continues.  At AKS, we are a part of something much bigger.  It goes on, in part, because of honor.  When we do not "feel" like "liking" someone, we continue to show them honor.  That is an attitude not a feeling.

If I went with Obi-Wan's wisdom to go with my feelings, I would weigh 500 pounds and be in jail.  I love ice cream and I know way too many people that need to be punched in the nose.  However, our founder frequently referred to attitude.  Honor your family by forgiving them even when they do not ask for forgiveness.  This is an attitude of honor.  Each class member and instructor deserves honor.  It holds us together.  In honoring them, we honor our family and our founder, and the family continues.  The family grows.

I am proud to know each one of you.  Thank you for honoring me, by reading this.

Do You Have Member News ?

Please send news (weddings, births, graduations, etc.) so that we may share with our members and friends.  Accompanying pictures are most welcome!

We look forward to hearing from you !

PROMOTIONS!!

Congratulations to all students who have been promoted this past quarter, and to those we've missed in prior newsletters.

Best wishes in your continued training!

"Karate Makes Me Happy"

Some years ago Mr. Lieb hosted a training seminar in which Master Tadashi Yamashita was the guest instructor. The local media came to interview Sensei Yamashita, who at the time was making feature length movies and television shows. During the course of his interview, he explained karate's influence on his life and he summed it by telling the reporter "Karate makes me happy." I found this statement elegant in its simplicity and profound in its depth of meaning.

Over the years, I have often pondered that statement and the depth of its implication. The term "happy" is replete with definitions. And there are many aspects in life, which can make us "happy." But for karate practitioners I believe his assertion has special significance.

Endorphins -The first and most obvious form of elation in karate is through physical exercise. When we work out the brain releases endorphins, which heighten our sense of joy and exhilaration. There have been times when I was too tired or had a bad day and I thought I would skip class, but reluctantly I would go anyway. I noticed that after class I always felt better both emotionally and physically. I tell my students to come to class especially on the bad days, karate is great exercise and stress relief, and they will feel better by the end of class than before they came in.

Fraternity - In karate, those we train with often become our closest friends. When we walk on the floor there are bows, handshakes and even hugs in tandem with warm greetings. We have a bond of shared goals and experiences, which connects us as a very close-knit group. I tell new students that if they will come to class and train hard they will be accepted as members of our AKS family; a family that supports and nurtures each member without exception. This connection transcends time and distance, it is always exciting to meet or hear from a fellow AKS member even though months or years have passed.

Friends - I have seen strangers meet on the dojo floor and quickly become close friends. Common interests, common goals and shared experiences can make steadfast friends of us all. Most of my closest friends are AKS students and Black Belts. The security of having a true friend you can trust and confide in is immeasurable; they know you will be there for them as well.

Freedom from fear - I joined karate in my late teens, because I was tired of being afraid. Fear of verbal threats that might escalate to physical assault is a painful way to live. But as I trained, I gained the confidence in my skills and techniques, which diminished those fears. Karate gave me the have the confidence to walk down the street and not have to look at each stranger as a potential threat. The years of training took away the fear and replaced it with appropriate circumspection, and made me a more confident and a happier person.

Personal growth - When students join our class, we tell them that by training in karate they will learn self-discipline, improve their self-confidence and develop a better and more accurate self-image. For the students that stay and train, this intrinsic personal growth follows the kicks, punches and katas. It is practically unavoidable. It is usually about green belt level when you can tell that this student actually begins to like himself or herself better as a person. The growth and joy come from the accomplishment of learning the many aspects of martial arts.

Teaching - As students get the opportunity to teach beginners, almost always they tell me how much they enjoyed the opportunity to share their knowledge. Instructing students perpetuates our style and helps us become better instructors. It is very gratifying to watch a student execute precise movements and personally rewarding to know we made a contribution to their learning values that will impact the rest of their lives.

Spiritual growth - As karatekas learn and grow, their personal and ethical beliefs often taken on deeper conviction. With time, all of attributes previously discussed strengthen their personal choices and values. Because of your accomplishments in karate, you have the confidence to achieve whatever goals you may set for your self. Self-confidence and strength in principles are life-long qualities. Long term this may be the most important part of our contribution to our students.

I am sure there are more elements of happiness than I have listed here, but Sensei Yamashita said it best "Karate makes me happy."

This article was previously published in our September 2008 Punchline.