In the last issue we discussed my concerns with unintended consequences of boxing training. This week we will look at a concern I have with a ground fighting exercise. The exercise I am referring to is one where officers are put through a series of physical exercises to elevate their heart-rate and breathing then two officers sit back to back on a mat and on the whistle grapple until one gets the other in a submission hold. The three main concerns I have with this drill are: Half the officers walk away from this drill losers. On top of that they have to quit … [Read more...]

If you have ever heard ken Murray speak or read his excellent book Training at the Speed of Life (available at www.warriorspiritbooks.com) you are familiar with the phrase "Unintended Consequences of well intentioned training." This term refers to training that is intended to prepare officers for the street and program the officers for success, but may actually be setting them up for failure. Over the next two week's I will talk about a couple of examples of training that I believe falls into this category based on both my experience and discussions with officers that have been through this … [Read more...]

It is critical for all trainers and especially those training law enforcement professionals to understand the power of words. It is not just semantics. It is often the difference between programming officers for success or for failure. In some cases it can be the difference between life and death.   Imagine yourself in a violent confrontation with a person who is intent on killing you. Do you want to survive, or do you want to win? Every single officer I have asked this question has said that they want to win. Why, because there is a different image that comes to mind when you imagine … [Read more...]

“When I became a high school teacher I took my responsibility very seriously. I believed then, and I do now, that I was paid to teach, and that meant it was my responsibility to help every one of my students learn. I believe it is impossible to claim you have taught, when there are students who have not learned. With that commitment, from my first year as an English teacher until my last as UCLA basketball teacher/coach, I was determined to make the effort to become the best teacher I could possibly be, not for my sake, but for the sake of all those who were placed under my … [Read more...]

W.I.N. is a simple but powerful acronym used by the famous college football coach Lou Holtz.  It stands for ‘What’s Important Now’?  Holtz would remind his players at Notre Dame to ask themselves this question thirty five times a day; when they awakened in the morning, in class and study hall, in the weight room, on the practice field, on the sidelines during a game and when on the field during games. As law enforcement professionals we need to take a lesson from Coach Holtz and ask ourselves this same question. Every day, in our personal and professional lives, we are faced with a number … [Read more...]

Welcome to the Excellence in Training Blog. The purpose of this blog is to share thoughts, ideas, observations and experiences designed to enhance training practices. Excellence in Training is a philosophy that has been developed over time. It is also a commitment that must be made by all parties involved in training.   The blog will focus on the delivery of training however, there will be a great deal of value here to both trainers as well as learners. While many of the discussions here will relate to training law enforcement officers the philosophies are applicable to training … [Read more...]