At Precision we strive to provide the most cutting-edge martial arts technique in every one of our classes. We truly believe that we can help anyone reach their martial arts and fitness goals. Catering to all skills levels, we welcome both experienced athletes as well as those looking to start something new! Our student body consists of athletes looking to improve their performance, people looking to improve their physique, others who would like to learn to defend themselves and then some who just want a fun way to stay fit! In addition to people looking to achieve personal goals, we also are home to amateur and professional fighters, former and active military as well as former and active police officers.
Everyone can benefit from training martial arts, however it’s a necessity for those who are in law enforcement. Law enforcement is a dangerous job and understanding how to control someone safely is essential for the health of the officer as well as the perpetrator. We’ve all seen videos of an officer rolling around on the ground with a perpetrator, frequently being overpowered by the perpetrator; allowing them to escape or possibly access the officers weapons. Then there are viral videos of officers using excess force during arrests. People can be seen being punched, kicked, beaten and sometimes even shot because the majority of officers are not educated about hand-to-hand combat. An officer who isn’t training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu multiple days a week is unprepared to be able to control someone effectively without harming them.
Connor, one of our Poughkeepsie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students was stationed in Virginia Beach as a police officer and has had multiple occasions where he needed to protect himself using the techniques that he learned here at Precision. He said that not only did our techniques help to make sure he wasn’t armed during any physical altercation, but they also helped him ensure the safety of those who he had to detain. Watch the video above to hear Connor speak about his training.
In addition to having multiple law enforcement officers as students, we also have an active police officer on our coaching staff. Officer Joe Carbone has fought multiple times under the Precision banner and teaches classes throughout the week at Precision. Joe is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and makes training a daily habit, not just a once-a-year review. Having been involved in law enforcement for over ten years, Officer Carbone feels that his training at Precision has helped him in the field in more ways than one! According to Joe, being able to communicate with people is the key to good police work. His confidence in his ability to defend himself allows him to talk to people in a more calm and natural way; allowing him to keep most situations under control. Joe says that even when he does have to be “hands-on” with people, he does so with no hesitation; knowing that he has the ability to minimize any damage towards himself and the perpetrator.
In the video above, Officer Carbone recounts an evening on the job where he had to deal with an angry individual who was threatening him with an empty beer bottle. As he was talking to the man, he was thinking about using his teep (long front kick) to maintain a safe distance form the man with the beer bottle. After seeing his partner sneak up behind the guy and take the beer bottle, Officer Carbone used his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience to take the guy down and control him from the mount position. As the guy attempted to roll him, Joe reacted calmly, let the guy roll through to prevent him from getting on top. From here he was able to gain back control and handle the situation without anyone getting hurt. Although Joe was able to use his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills to bring the situation to a peaceful resolution, his real bread and butter is Muay Thai. Teaching our All Levels Muay Thai Clinch class, Joe prides himself on being a well-rounded martial artist who focuses on the important details to ensure that his techniques will work in real-life self-defense!
In the words of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Rener Gracie, “Every untrained officer is an accident waiting to happen.” Rener has been leading the movement to restructure the combat training for police officers all over the country. Many west coast police departments are seeing great results from adopting Grace Survival Tactics into their combat training. Currently, California police officers are only required to take four hours of hand-to-hand combat training every two years. Rener and many others in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world are looking to change that.
Rener explains, “All the techniques have been adapted for the law enforcement consideration that needs to be brought into the equation: weapon retention, handcuffing, multiple attackers potentially, confined spaces. When police officers get better training like we have in Manteca, their use-of-force intensity will go down.”
The truth is that it’s each officers’ responsibility to themselves and their community to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on a regular basis. It will absolutely reduce the amount of officers being assaulted on the job, as well as the amount of excessive force used during arrests. Whether you’re in law enforcement or not, come become the best version of yourself at Precision. As Officer Carbone said, “ I would recommend Precision to anybody interested in self defense. Law enforcement officers, I don’t know why you’re not already here!”. With classes seven days a week, there’s sure to be something that will work with your schedule. Give us a call at (845)392-8495 or click HERE to get started today!
About the Author
Oliver Swanson is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and assistant boxing coach at Precision Boxing and MMA. He loves martial arts, dogs, music and poetry. A Hudson Valley native, Oliver spends most of his off-mat time with his family and girlfriend.
