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Guardians of the Ground: UFC-proven wall control every police officer should know

Jason High, former UFC fighter and current MMA coach, breaks down wall-control fundamentals, with considerations for weapon retention and an optional ground transition

Editor’s Note: Tyson Kilbey Jiu-Jitsu is already building a vibrant, inclusive community where individuals of all skill levels and backgrounds can train, grow and achieve their goals. The academy has welcomed everyone from skilled Jiu-Jitsu black belts to NFL legend Tamba Hali, as well as local media interested in the new Kansas City location.

Proudly first responder friendly, Kilbey invites drop-ins from around the world — whether you’re visiting the area or looking for a place to train while traveling. “At Tyson Kilbey Jiu-Jitsu, we’re committed to offering top-tier instruction rooted in the principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with a welcoming environment for all,” Kilbey said.

To learn more about their instructors, class schedules and training philosophy, visit www.tysonkilbeyjiujitsu.com.


Controlling a subject pinned against a wall is a frequent real-world scenario for patrol officers. Turning that wall into an asset starts with solid body mechanics and strict weapon awareness. Guiding principles include blading the primary weapon side back and away from the subject, locking an underhook under the opposite arm, keeping the officer’s head and lead leg in a centered position and using the strong hand to monitor the subject’s free hand.

In this episode, Tyson Kilbey and Joe Sullivan welcome MMA coach Jason High — a former University of Nebraska wrestler, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, veteran of multiple professional organizations including the UFC and a frequent collaborator in their first responder training sessions.

Together they demonstrate how to apply those wall-control fundamentals, with considerations for weapon retention and one option for taking the subject to the ground when the officer decides it’s necessary. They emphasize that these principles can be adjusted for differences in size, strength, skill and the subject’s level of compliance or resistance, and explain why familiarity with wall tactics can turn a potential liability into an on-scene advantage.

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

Jiu-Jitsu training gear:

Here are some must-have training tools from Tyson Kilbey that compliments 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.