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Guardians of the Ground: Grappling fundamentals that work for officers of any size

This episode uses side mount to highlight awareness, balance and posture as foundational skills for ground control — regardless of size


In this episode, Tyson Kilbey and Joe Sullivan are joined by Dr. Jonathan Enriquez, a part-time police officer, martial arts instructor, competition shooter and board-certified cardiologist. Dr. Enriquez brings a rare, well-rounded perspective to officer safety, combining tactical experience with a deep understanding of long-term health and performance.

During the episode, Dr. Enriquez focuses on fundamental grappling principles using the side mount position as a teaching tool. He emphasizes awareness of a subject’s movement, protecting an officer’s duty gear, maintaining balance and using proper posture to sustain control. These principles, he explains, apply across all use-of-force situations — not just on the ground.

Dr. Enriquez closes with a candid reminder about the importance of officer wellness. Acknowledging the stress and demands of the job, he encourages officers to focus on short, consistent training and fitness habits, noting that even small efforts can pay significant dividends over time.

Catch up on all Guardians of the Ground episodes
Having a principle-based plan to escape provides a tactical advantage — and builds confidence under pressure
Training in the top mount position gives officers the skills to stay in control, limit a subject’s access to weapons and respond effectively if a struggle escalates
Jason High, former UFC fighter and current MMA coach, breaks down wall-control fundamentals, with considerations for weapon retention and an optional ground transition
Learn how two female officers use leverage, bone structure and distance management to overcome size mismatches on the ground
NFL great Tamba Hali and Jiu-Jitsu black belt David Smarr demonstrate a simple, effective tactic for responding when a subject grabs an officer’s outer vest
With lessons for every skill level, Royce Gracie reinforces why proper instruction, consistent training and tactical awareness matter now more than ever

Jiu-Jitsu training gear:

Here are some must-have training tools from Tyson Kilbey that complement the tactics in this episode:

Tyson Kilbey has more than 28 years of experience in law enforcement, consisting of three years as a hotel security supervisor and 25 years as a deputy sheriff for the Johnson County (Kansas) Sheriff’s Office. He has worked in the detention, patrol, judicial services and training divisions, SWAT and accident investigation units. He is currently a captain for the Sheriff’s Office.

Tyson authored “Personal Defense Mastery,” a follow-up to his first book “Fundamental Handgun Mastery.” Tyson is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt under UFC Pioneer Royce Gracie. He has numerous defensive tactics and firearms certifications and has received multiple awards in competitive shooting and grappling. He runs www.tysonkilbeyjiujitsu.com which is a popular Jiu Jitsu Academy in the Kansas City area in which many law enforcement officers are members. He is the Match Director for the Brandon Collins Memorial Shootout, a shooting competition named in honor of a deputy who died in the line of duty.