Trending Topics

Guardians of the Ground: How fight-tested skills translate to the street for officers

From centerline control to cardiovascular fitness, this episode explores the skills that help officers stay composed and perform under pressure when seconds count

In this episode, Tyson Kilbey and Joe Sullivan are joined by longtime UFC veteran and coach Zak Cummings, owner of Ignite BJJ and MMA.

Cummings has spent years training law enforcement personnel, adapting concepts that helped him succeed in the UFC Octagon for officers working in the field. He breaks down simple but critical principles, including protecting vital areas, controlling the centerline, and staying aware of the position of weapons and other tools during a physical encounter.

For viewers with more grappling experience, Cummings also shares details to improve takedowns and control positions. Drawing from a career that spanned nearly two decades, he explains how consistent training, cardiovascular fitness and composure under pressure all play a role when officers must make fast, high-stakes decisions.

While Cummings brings his own approach to defensive tactics, he reinforces several themes shared by other world-class guests on Guardians of the Ground: Train consistently, stay calm under stress and build skills that hold up when the moment matters most.

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
This episode uses side mount to highlight awareness, balance and posture as foundational skills for ground control — regardless of size
Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu athlete and 12-time ADCC Open medalist Brandon George explains why officers should deliberately train mount, turtle and full-duty-gear grappling to build composure in chaotic encounters
Drawing on Force Science and reality-based training experience, Von Kliem and Lon Bartel break down human performance, training gaps and what prepares officers for the field
Kansas City media personality Marcus Officer shares insights from years of working with law enforcement on communication and officer readiness

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.