team-hardy

Keep Peace in Your Soul: A Leadership Reflection Inspired by Desiderata

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:00:53 GMT

A Leadership Reflection

Some weeks feel like momentum.

Some feel like resistance.

Most fall somewhere in between.

Wherever you find yourself today, there’s a line from Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata that lands with a particular steadiness — a reminder that speaks directly to leaders navigating uncertainty, responsibility, and the quiet weight of becoming.

From Desiderata, by Max Ehrmann, 1927

“ And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.”

What This Means for Leaders

These lines are more than poetic comfort — they’re a framework for grounded leadership.

1. Clarity Isn’t a Prerequisite for Action

Leadership rarely offers perfect visibility. We make decisions with partial information, shifting variables, and real human impact.

Ehrmann’s reminder reframes uncertainty: not as failure, but as part of the unfolding.

2. Inner Steadiness Is a Strategic Advantage

“In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.”

This is the work behind the work — the discipline of staying centered when the world pulls at your attention, your energy, and your identity. A grounded leader becomes a stabilizing force for others.

3. Difficulty Doesn’t Mean You’re Off Course

“Sham, drudgery, and broken dreams” are not signs of misalignment. They’re part of the terrain.

Leadership asks us to move through the hard parts without losing ourselves in them.

4. Beauty Still Exists — Even in the Grind

The world remains beautiful not because it’s perfect, but because meaning is often found in the cracks:

in resilience, in community, in the courage to keep going.

Reflection:

As you move through this week, carry this with you:

You don’t need the whole map.
You don’t need perfect conditions to grow.
You don’t need certainty to stay on mission.

The universe is unfolding — and so are you.

Stay steady. Stay present. Keep peace in your soul.

Identity + Intentional Presence — The Foundation of Excellence in Leadership

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:30:05 GMT

Leadership doesn’t begin with strategy, plans, or performance metrics.

It begins with identity — and the presence leaders bring into every room, conversation, and moment of pressure.

This is the foundation of Pillar 1 in the Excellence in Leadership System™.

Identity: The Starting Point of Leadership

Before a leader can influence a team, they have to understand who they are.

Identity creates predictability.

Predictability builds trust.

Trust stabilizes teams.

And stability drives performance.

When leaders are grounded in their identity, people know what to expect.

When they aren’t, everything becomes reactive, inconsistent, and unclear.

Identity is the anchor that keeps leadership steady when the environment isn’t.

Intentional Presence: Making Identity Visible

If identity is the foundation, presence is the expression.

Intentional Presence is the skill that makes leadership identity visible.

It’s not about perfection — it’s about consistency.

Teams don’t need a leader who has all the answers.

They need a leader who shows up the same way, even when the pressure rises.

Presence is felt before it’s heard.

It shapes communication, decision‑making, and culture long before strategy ever does.

When leaders align who they are with how they show up, everything changes.

A Core Truth at the Center of Leadership

“Teams don’t just follow direction.

They follow the person giving it.”

This truth shows up everywhere — from job sites to classrooms to boardrooms.

Leadership is never just about tasks.

It’s about trust, steadiness, and the human being behind the role.

How Pillar 1 Shows Up Across Industries

Identity + Intentional Presence isn’t theoretical.

It’s practical, real, and necessary across every environment.

Skilled Trades

Fast pace. High pressure. Unforgiving work.

Presence becomes the difference between clarity and confusion… safety and risk.

Public Safety

High stakes and high consequences.

Presence becomes the anchor teams rely on when the situation isn’t predictable.

Education

Human‑centered environments with constant change.

Presence creates stability, safety, and culture.

Corporate

Complex teams and shifting priorities.

Presence aligns communication, expectations, and performance.

Nonprofits

Mission‑driven work with tight resources.

Presence protects culture and keeps the mission moving forward.

Different environments.

Different pressures.

Same truth: leadership identity and presence matter everywhere.

Why Pillar 1 Matters Now More Than Ever

Today’s leaders are navigating:

Overwhelm
Burnout
Rapid change
Fragmented teams
Cultural instability

In times like these, identity and presence aren’t optional — they’re essential.

They create clarity when things feel chaotic.

They create steadiness when things feel uncertain.

They create trust when people need it most.

Closing Reflection

Pillar 1 is the starting point for every leader who wants to build clarity, consistency, and trust.

Identity gives you your foundation.

Intentional Presence makes that identity visible.

When those two align, teams feel it — and everything begins to shift.

IIf this pillar resonated with you, I’d love to hear what part hit home or where you’ve seen this show up in your own leadership journey.

Showing Up Changes Everything: My Conversation on Beyond the Finish Line

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 02:00:03 GMT

Showing Up Changes Everything: My Conversation on Beyond the Finish Line

I recently joined Beyond the Finish Line for a conversation that hit on something I believe deeply: showing up matters more than feeling ready. As I train for my first 100‑mile ultramarathon, I’m learning that the endurance mindset isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence, commitment, and choosing to move forward even when doubt shows up first.

Rewriting Limits Through Endurance

My journey has taken me from MMA to law enforcement to long‑distance running, but the common thread has always been growth. On the podcast, we talked about how easy it is to let self‑imposed limits shape what we think is possible. The truth is, most of the barriers we face aren’t physical — they’re the stories we tell ourselves.

Training for a 100‑miler has forced me to practice something simple but uncomfortable: commit before I feel confident. Every long run, every early morning, every moment of resistance is a reminder that progress starts with presence.

Why Showing Up Still Matters

Whether you’re an everyday endurance athlete, signing up for your first race, or returning after a long break, the mindset is the same. You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to show up — consistently, intentionally, and with a willingness to grow.

If You Need a Push Forward

If you’re looking for endurance motivation, mindset tools, or a reminder that it’s not too late to start again, this episode is worth a listen. It’s honest, practical, and rooted in the belief that your story is still unfolding — and you get to decide what comes next.

Give the full episode a listen here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/34KUVNCnMoqVQ6n89L9zPs?si=03RJopYARtCBUy1pNTfrBg

Training Law Enforcement Like Fighters: A Coach’s Perspective

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 17:04:18 GMT

Training Law Enforcement Like Fighters: A Coach’s Perspective

Owning and coaching at one of Colorado’s largest MMA gyms gave me a front-row seat to human growth. I worked with everyone—from professional fighters chasing titles, to parents reclaiming their health, to kids learning discipline and confidence. Each person walked through our doors with expectations. They wanted to be seen. They wanted progress. They wanted to know they were more than just a monthly auto-payment.

So, what happens when we bring those same expectations to law enforcement training?

What if we treat every officer as someone who deserves individualized attention, especially when they only get this kind of training once or twice a year? What if we built drills that meet them where they are—regardless of fitness level, experience, or confidence—and left them walking off the mat knowing they improved?

What if we invested in them not just for the hours we train, but as coaches committed to creating environments where sweat, skill, and belief translate into winning results when it matters most?

That’s the heartbeat of our Ground Tactics for Law Enforcement program. For over a decade, we’ve trained law enforcement professionals with the same dedication we gave our fighters: personalized coaching, relentless pursuit of progress, and relationships that outlast the training session.

Because when the moment comes—on the street, in the chaos, under pressure, confidence isn’t optional. It’s earned.

So how do we build training that’s not just effective—but transformational?

1. Respect the Clock. Deliver What Fits. Don’t cram eight hours of material into a two-hour session. Instead, design curriculum that’s digestible, focused, and appropriate for the time allotted. Every minute should reinforce the mission—not overwhelm it.

2. Build Systems, Not Silos. Techniques should overlap, reinforce, and evolve. When drills flow with purpose and sessions follow a clear theme, students retain more and connect the dots faster. We’re not just teaching moves—we’re building muscle memory and mindset.

3. Coach for the Full Career Arc. Every student walks in with a different level of fitness, experience, and confidence. Modify drills, techniques, and stress inputs so each officer finds success—whether they’re fresh out of the academy or two decades deep. Progress should be accessible, not exclusive.

4. Invest in the Long Game. Training isn’t a one-off event, it’s a culture. Track trends. Listen to feedback. Evolve the program to meet the shifting demands of the profession. When students know you’re invested in their long-term growth, they show up differently. And they leave better.

�� Conclusion: Coaching with Purpose

Training law enforcement like fighters isn’t about intensity for intensity’s sake—it’s about intentionality. It’s about showing up with a system, a standard, and a belief that every student deserves progress they can feel and confidence they can carry.

For over a decade, Ground Tactics has delivered that kind of coaching. As the demands on our officers evolve, so will we—because excellence isn’t a destination. It’s a discipline.

Learn more about our programs at www.teamhardy.net

What I Wish I Knew About Training BJJ 20 Years Ago

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 21:00:17 GMT

Lessons for Law Enforcement Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Practitioners

With Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) continuing to surge in popularity—and its undeniable value in law enforcement training—I want to share a few hard-earned lessons from my own journey that began over two decades ago.

Like many of you, I was a young police officer asking tough questions:

What happens when a scuffle goes to the ground?
How do I protect my weapon if taken down?
How do I escape—or out-technique—someone bigger and stronger?

At the time, no law enforcement training system was answering these questions. Yet nearly every high-risk, combative encounter ended on the ground. We were taught how to take subjects down, but not what to do once we got there.

Thankfully, with support from my agency, I began training BJJ at a local academy. I was given the freedom to train often—not just for personal growth, but to build a program that could serve our entire organization.

Here are a few lessons I wish I had known when I started:

1️⃣ Choose the Right Academy

There are levels to BJJ—and they evolve. You might start for fitness or job-related skills, then find yourself hooked on the process, training daily, watching videos, and even competing. That’s a vastly different path than someone who trains once or twice a week for professional readiness.

Tip: Choose an academy that aligns with your goals. Too many eager officers walk into gyms with mismatched training styles, get injured or overwhelmed, and never return. Protect your passion by choosing wisely.

2️⃣ Training Partners Matter

Yes, BJJ empowers smaller practitioners to overcome larger opponents. Royce Gracie proved that. But you don’t need to be Royce every practice.

Tip: For longevity and job readiness, train with partners who:

Demonstrate control
Are close to your size
Understand your purpose

This keeps you sharp—and shift-ready.

3️⃣ Win Less, Flow More

Live rolling was one of BJJ’s biggest selling points when I started. I loved testing myself daily. But chasing wins stunted my growth—and led to most of my injuries.

Tip: Prioritize flow rolls. Flowing allows experimentation, reduces ego, and minimizes injury. Winning and learning rarely coexist. Flowing builds skill, awareness, and longevity.

�� Final Thoughts

BJJ has shaped me as a practitioner, coach, and leader. It’s not just a sport—it’s a philosophy of control, humility, and growth.

If you’re just starting or deep in your journey, I hope these lessons help you train smarter, stay safer, and stay on the mats longer.

If you’re building a program for your agency or looking to integrate BJJ into your tactical training, I’d love to hear your story. Let’s keep the conversation going.

The Mission Behind the Miles: Turning Effort into Impact

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:37:57 GMT

�� The Mission Behind the Miles: Turning Effort into Impact

Before the sun crests the ridge, I’m already clocking miles in the Black Hills. Not because it's easy—because it’s essential. Every step out here reflects something deeper: a commitment to clarity, accountability, and building a legacy that lasts.

This week on the Team Hardy YouTube channel, I shared how purpose fuels action, especially when the pressure mounts. Whether you're a law enforcement professional, a first responder, or someone chasing personal excellence, the message was clear: tactical growth begins with internal alignment.

https://youtube.com/shorts/rq38o0DZx88?feature=share

The trail reminds me: there are no shortcuts to true readiness. You train hard, you reflect deeply, and you lead with intention. That’s the heart of Team Hardy—and the reason we show up, again and again.

If this resonates, dig deeper. Subscribe to the channel, engage with the content, and—if you're ready—step up to the plate and attend one of our Ground Tactics for Law Enforcement training sessions or join us for our Excellence in Leadership workshops.

Because growth doesn’t wait, and purpose doesn’t pause.

We look forward to supporting you on your leadership journey!

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 18:26:04 GMT

Courage and Resilience: Montana 911 Training Forum, Sept 15–17, 2025, Missoula, Montana

This September, I’m honored to join the Montana 911 Training Forum in Missoula—a gathering of frontline professionals committed to excellence, accountability, and service.

It’s more than a speaking engagement; it’s a chance to connect with those who carry the weight of public safety and offer tools that sharpen both mindset and mission. I’ll be presenting a two-hour block of our Excellence in Leadership course, followed by delivering the keynote address centered on Leading with Courage and Resilience.

These themes aren’t just aspirational—they’re operational. In a world where uncertainty is constant and pressure is high, leadership rooted in clarity, conviction, and character becomes the anchor.

Missoula’s rugged beauty is the perfect backdrop for this conversation. In a place where nature demands respect and resilience, we’ll explore how to build training programs that not only meet legal standards but elevate the human spirit behind the badge.

Whether you're a dispatcher, trainer, or field operator, this forum is your opportunity to recalibrate, reconnect, and recommit to the mission.

I’m proud to be part of your leadership journey!

�� Join us in Missoula: Register for the Montana 911 Training Forum and be part of a movement that strengthens leadership from the inside out.

Montana APCO/NENA Conference – 2025

Elevating Leadership: The Power of Perspective Shifts

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:32:13 GMT

Leadership is more than a position—it’s a commitment to growth, adaptability, and real-time decision-making.

At Team Hardy, we believe in challenging conventional thinking, refining leadership strategies, and equipping teams with the tools to lead with confidence.

That’s why our Excellence in Leadership program focuses on immediate, actionable transformation.

Following a recent session with Paladin Brands, I received this testimonial from their Director of Human Resources :

"Thank you for providing exemplary leadership training. All who participated found value in the session with techniques they are able to implement immediately. The next day, I heard Brent mention looking at a situation with employees from a different perspective based on ideas you presented—very much a breakthrough and an example of how they see ways to put into action what they learned."

This kind of feedback reinforces the true purpose of leadership development —helping professionals redefine how they engage with their teams, think critically, and drive lasting impact in their organizations.

In today’s workplace, where employee engagement, recruitment, and retention are pressing challenges, leaders who adapt and challenge the status quo are the ones who stand out in a crowded industry. By refining decision-making and fostering resilience, organizations can build stronger teams prepared to navigate complex leadership demands with confidence.

If your company is ready to strengthen leadership, enhance employee engagement, and drive meaningful change, let’s talk. Investing in intentional leadership training isn’t just a choice—it’s a strategy for long-term success.

�� Visit teamhardy.net to learn more about our Excellence in Leadership program.

Supreme Court Ruling Confirms What We Have Always Taught

Mon, 26 May 2025 17:21:20 GMT

The recent Estate of Barnes v. Felix ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court has brought national attention to how use-of-force situations are evaluated in court. The decision rejects the moment-of-threat rule, instead requiring courts to consider all relevant circumstances before, during, and after an officer’s use of force.

This ruling does not change how we train. It only reinforces the principles we’ve instilled for the last 10+ years—the understanding that preparation, decision-making, and tactical execution must be practiced in full-context scenarios.

Understanding the Supreme Court Ruling

The core question in this case was whether courts should only evaluate the precise moment an officer perceives a threat or whether they must consider the full context leading up to the use of force. The ruling states:

> “Today, we reject [the moment-of-threat rule] as improperly narrowing the requisite Fourth Amendment analysis. To assess whether an officer acted reasonably in using force, a court must consider all the relevant circumstances, including facts and events leading up to the climactic moment.” > — Estate of Barnes v. Felix, 601 U.S. ___ (2025), Supreme Court of the United States

This broader analysis aligns perfectly with Team Hardy’s philosophy on training.

Why This Ruling Reinforces Our Training Approach

For over a decade, we’ve focused on training across all phases of a use-of-force event , because decision-making does not happen in isolation—it’s shaped by pre-incident preparation, real-time judgment, and post-incident evaluation .

We have always emphasized:

�� Before Use of Force – Situational awareness, de-escalation techniques, and evaluating risk vs. necessity.

�� During Use of Force – Tactical execution, tool selection, and legal justification in real-time.

�� After Use of Force – Assessing outcomes, securing the scene, and articulating decisions effectively.

This ruling confirms what we’ve always known— the best training prepares professionals to evaluate each scenario holistically and make smart, justifiable decisions in real-world conditions .

The Path Forward: Training for Real-World Decision Making

The ruling in Estate of Barnes v. Felix emphasizes that officers and professionals need to train beyond techniques and focus on judgment, adaptability, and critical thinking . That has always been the cornerstone of our approach.

As dedicated students of this craft, we must continue refining our skills, sharpening our judgment, and preparing in ways that mirror the realities we may face. The more we push ourselves to train every phase of an encounter, the better equipped we are to act with skill, integrity, and confidence when it matters most.

Training with Purpose: Honoring the Sacrifices of Those Before Us

Mon, 26 May 2025 16:19:12 GMT

As we observe Memorial Day, we pause to reflect, remember, and honor those who gave everything for our freedom. Their sacrifices were acts of selflessness, discipline, and unwavering commitment—values we can carry forward in our own lives.

For many of us, training isn’t just about physical strength. It’s about mental resilience, pushing limits, and embracing challenges with intention. In many ways, preparing ourselves—whether for competition, personal growth, or life’s daily battles—is a way to honor those before us.

Training with Intention

Every rep, every mile, every challenge we embrace is an opportunity to grow, strengthen, and push forward . When we train with a purpose—knowing that discipline and perseverance were hallmarks of those who served—we connect to something greater than ourselves.

To train with intention means:

✅ Respecting the Process – Honoring the journey, not just the results.

✅ Pushing Beyond Comfort – Strength isn’t found in the easy moments but in overcoming adversity.

✅ Carrying Forward a Legacy – Understanding that preparation and dedication are ways to show gratitude for those who sacrificed for our freedoms.

Reflection and Action

This Memorial Day , take a moment to reflect: Why do you train? What drives you to improve? Channel that energy into something meaningful— whether it’s showing up stronger for your team, committing to a new goal, or simply living with greater gratitude .

Honor the fallen by embracing the values they stood for.

Train with determination, respect, and purpose , and in doing so, carry forward their legacy.

The Leadership Mindset: Recognizing the Good Old Days Before They’re Gone

Fri, 23 May 2025 13:35:23 GMT

How Awareness Turns Everyday Leadership into Lasting Impact

Leadership is often measured in KPIs, strategy sessions, and the endless pursuit of progress. We’re driven by outcomes, by what’s next, and by the responsibility of leading others forward. But in that relentless motion, it’s easy to lose sight of the moments—the seemingly ordinary instances that, years from now, will define the stories of our lives.

This past week, while teaching in Iowa, I closed out my course with a quote that struck a chord with the group:

"I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them." — Andy Bernard, The Office

Leadership isn’t just about vision and results. It’s about presence—the ability to recognize significance in the now.

One of my students, a man in his 30s, shared that he believed his “good old days” were behind him, that his current position wasn’t part of them. For a brief moment, his words sat heavy with me. But then, I reminded him of a simple truth: his future self, 20 or 30 years from now, might just disagree with him.

How often do we, as leaders, move so fast that we fail to appreciate the people, conversations, and fleeting moments that make up our journey?

We spend years focused on climbing, achieving, and executing, only to one day look back and wish we had savored it all just a little bit more.

The key to excellence in leadership isn’t just about pushing forward—it’s about understanding that today is shaping the memories of tomorrow. The relationships we build, the challenges we face, and the lessons we learn are all part of a greater story—one we won’t recognize as the “good old days” until time grants us perspective.

So, the challenge for us is simple:

Be present.

Recognize the moments happening now.

Engage with the people around us—not just as colleagues or employees, but as people whose stories will one day intertwine with our own.

Because one day, we’ll wish we could go back. And when that day comes, let’s ensure we’ve lived fully enough to appreciate the moments we have today.

Turn Sacrifice Into Strength: How to Build a Legacy of Growth

Mon, 12 May 2025 13:31:33 GMT

Honoring Your Past, Owning Your Present, and Creating a Future Worth Celebrating

Every decision we make carries weight. The early mornings, the sacrifices, the moments when we push forward despite exhaustion—they all shape who we become. The question is, are you making choices today that your future self will thank you for? We often think of success as a destination, but in reality, it’s built moment by moment, choice by choice.

Your past self-made sacrifices to get you here. Are you honoring that effort with intentional action today?

The Power of Reflection

Looking back, we all have moments where we made difficult choices—investing time in learning, overcoming obstacles, and choosing discipline over comfort. Every sacrifice was a steppingstone toward something greater. The challenge now is ensuring those efforts weren’t in vain.

Think of your journey like a bridge. Your past self-laid down the foundation, but your present self is responsible for maintaining it and extending it forward. Without action, that bridge stays incomplete.

Owning Today

The present is the only place where change happens. You control whether today moves you forward or keeps you stagnant. Are your current habits reinforcing the progress you want, or are they undoing the work your past self-put in?

Are you prioritizing the right things?
Are you developing skills that will serve your future?
Are you making choices today that your future self will look back on with gratitude?

Success isn’t random—it’s intentional. The work you put in today builds the results you’ll experience tomorrow.

Creating a Future of Gratitude

Imagine yourself five years from now. What would your future self say if they could talk to you today? Would they thank you for the consistency, the discipline, and the choices that elevated them? Or would they wish you had started sooner, pushed harder, and stayed more focused?

Your future self is waiting— and you get to decide whether they’ll look back with pride or regret.

Take Action This Week

I challenge you to take one action this week that:

✅ Honors the sacrifices of your past self

✅ Strengthens your present commitments

✅ Builds gratitude for your future self

Whether it’s refining a skill, deepening a relationship, or simply committing to a personal goal—make this week count.

Because when you intentionally shape today, you ensure that tomorrow is something to celebrate. ��

Teaching, Coaching, and Growing Together

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:14:15 GMT

Congratulations to our newest coaches in Northern Colorado!

Embracing the New Year with Gratitude and Purpose

Kicking off the new year in a place that has provided our family with so much throughout our career is always a humbling experience. Being able to coach, evaluate, and instill a positive coaching mindset, along with personal responsibility, is rewarding work that we hope will positively impact these communities for many years to come.

A heartfelt thank you to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office for being incredible hosts once again, and to our dedicated students whose efforts made the past three days an overwhelming success!

Welcome Our Newest Ground Tactics Coaches to Team Hardy

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 18:06:35 GMT

Welcome to our newest coaches from our private session with the Loveland, Colorado Police Department.

We are excited to welcome our newest coaches and agency to our Ground Tactics Coaches Program.

Your dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence are invaluable as we continue to enhance the safety and performance of law enforcement officers around the country. Your journey to becoming outstanding leaders and mentors starts here! We are excited to see the impact you will make on our communities and beyond.

Here is to setting new standards and achieving extraordinary things together!

Welcome to the TEAM!

Enhancing Law Enforcement Training: Unified Skill System

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 18:10:05 GMT

Enhancing Law Enforcement Training: Embracing a Unified Skill System

Reaffirming Our Coaching Philosophy

John Danaher, a renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach and black belt under Renzo Gracie, shared an insight that deeply resonates with our approach to law enforcement training: skills that overlap and blend are far more effective than isolated, compartmentalized ones.

If this principle is crucial for elite athletes, it is even more vital in law enforcement, where performance comes with a significant impact on people's lives.

Training needs to emphasize overlapping skills, commonality from positions, and drills that foster critical thinking under stress. This strategy ensures students can constantly evaluate and respond to situations effectively, asking themselves,

“Where is the next best place I can win the fight?”

As we continue to refine our methods, it's essential to evaluate the number of skills we teach and focus on those that promote continuity and decisive action. Eliminating redundant skills allows for a more streamlined and effective training process and ultimately better, quicker decisions made under the stress of real world applications.

Together, let's continue to build a system that prepares our recruits to excel and make a real difference.

The Best Time to Do Anything New, Hard, or Designed to Make You Better is…NOW!

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 17:56:46 GMT

The Best Time to Do Anything New, Hard, or Designed to Make You Better is…NOW!

At Team Hardy, we believe in the power of taking action. Whether you’re a law enforcement professional, an athlete, or someone striving for personal growth, the best time to start something new, challenging, or aimed at self-improvement is right now.

Embrace the Challenge

Life is full of opportunities to grow and improve, but often, we hesitate. We wait for the perfect moment, the right conditions, or a sign that it’s time to act. The truth is, there is no perfect time. The best time to take on new challenges and push your limits is now. Embracing the challenge head-on not only builds resilience but also sets the stage for personal and professional growth.

Why Now?

Immediate Impact : Starting now means you begin reaping the benefits sooner. Whether it’s learning a new skill, improving your fitness, or enhancing your tactical abilities, the sooner you start, the sooner you see results.
Momentum : Taking the first step creates momentum. Each small victory builds confidence and propels you forward, making the next challenge easier to tackle.
Overcoming Fear : Fear of failure often holds us back. By starting now, you confront that fear and prove to yourself that you can handle whatever comes your way.
Continuous Improvement: The journey of self-improvement is ongoing. By starting today, you commit to a path of continuous learning and growth.

Our Commitment at Team Hardy

At Team Hardy, we are dedicated to providing top-notch training that prepares law enforcement professionals for real-world scenarios. Our courses are designed to bridge the gap between sport-based techniques and practical application, ensuring that you are ready for any situation.

From ground tactics to weapon retention and transitioning to handcuffing, our comprehensive training programs are tailored to meet the needs of today’s law enforcement officers. We believe in training differently, focusing on building confidence, tactical decision-making, and positive coaching.

Join Us in 2025

As we gear up for 2025, we invite you to join us in our mission to elevate law enforcement training. Schedule our 3-Day Ground Tactics Coaches Course in your area and experience the difference. With a simple hosting agreement, a free slot in the course for your agency, and all logistics handled by us, it’s never been easier to bring top-tier training to your team.

Visit teamhardy.net for more information and to schedule your course today. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, improvement, and excellence.

Empowering Law Enforcement: Beyond the Mats and Into Leadership

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:37:03 GMT

Creating results that last far beyond our time on the mats!

At Team Hardy, we are dedicated to providing training that transcends the physical skills taught on the mats.

Our ground tactics for law enforcement course is designed to foster growth that extends beyond the classroom, equipping officers with the tools they need to excel both professionally and personally.

A recent participant shared their experience, saying,

“Thank you for providing not only great material for us to utilize but also helping me grow as a leader and a man.”

This powerful testimonial underscores our commitment to holistic development, ensuring that our training impacts every aspect of our students’ lives.

With 28 five-star Google reviews echoing similar sentiments, it’s clear that our approach resonates with law enforcement professionals who seek more than just technical proficiency. We focus on building confidence, enhancing tactical decision-making, and promoting safety, all while preparing officers for the real-world challenges they face daily.

If you’re ready to bring a different kind of training to your agency in 2025, let’s talk.

Together, we can empower your team to achieve new heights of excellence.

Welcoming Our Newest Coaches: A Transformative Experience at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 02:46:11 GMT

Welcoming Our Newest Coaches: A Transformative Experience at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy

We recently wrapped up an incredible three-day session at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, and we are thrilled to welcome the newest coaches to the Team Hardy family!

The Journey to Becoming a Coach

Becoming a coach with Team Hardy is a rigorous process that tests not only physical skills but also the ability to instruct techniques in both small and large group settings. Our prospective coaches must demonstrate their openness to feedback and their ability to be coachable. Equally important is how they interact with other students and coaches, fostering a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie.

Beyond Ground Skills

Our training sessions are about much more than just mastering ground skills. At Team Hardy, we are committed to transforming not only WHAT we train but also HOW we train. This holistic approach ensures that our coaches are well-prepared to deliver effective and innovative training to law enforcement professionals.

A Warm Welcome

We are excited to see the impact our new coaches will have as they bring their skills, dedication, and passion to the team. Welcome aboard, new coaches!

Together, we will continue to innovate, inspire, and elevate the standards of law enforcement training.

Why Sport Grappling Techniques May Not Be Ideal for Law Enforcement

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 17:31:50 GMT

Critical Evaluation of Grappling Techniques for LE

We understand that what works in sport grappling doesn’t always translate to effective law enforcement tactics. Here are three critical questions agencies and trainers should consider before integrating any sport-based technique into their training programs:

Can the officer move to a cuffing position with control?
Can the officer disengage quickly and effectively if the situation changes?
Is the officer’s weapon protected?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” it’s time to explore alternative techniques that ensure officer safety and effectiveness.

Case in Point: The “Mount” Position

https://youtu.be/Rz7Z3z4vy9c?si=qR6aiHJ3D19jn7RZ

As demonstrated in this video, the “mount” position, while advantageous in sport grappling, has significant drawbacks for law enforcement:

Close Proximity Risks: This position keeps the officer and subject in extremely close quarters, making it easily reversible and prolonging the ground encounter.
Weapon Accessibility: The officer’s weapon is fully accessible to the subject.
Could the officer disengage should that crowd have turned on him?

We are committed to continuously improving the training and tactics provided to our law enforcement professionals. This commitment requires ongoing critical evaluation and open conversations about the best practices in the field.

Winning the Inside Position: A Culture Change in Law Enforcement

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 16:58:57 GMT

Creating distance should be an option but not the only option.

In law enforcement, we often hear about concepts like “distance equals time” and the “21-foot rule.” These are solid principles, but they shouldn’t be the only tools in an officer’s decision-making arsenal. Ideally, officers could manage every arrest, control, and de-escalation from a safe distance.

However, reality doesn’t always cooperate. Taking physical control of resistant adults, who aren’t bound by any SOPs, laws, or policies, is unpredictable and rarely mirrors the training environment. Winning these encounters requires officers to be confident and competent in securing the inside position, recognizing opportunities to use physical control rather than escalating force.

In our training sessions, we run drills where students escape from a front choke or headlock. Instead of immediately disengaging and creating distance, they learn to identify windows of opportunity to use their physical skills to control the situation. While disengaging and transitioning to another tool or de-escalating from a distance remains an option , it shouldn’t be the only one.

Teaching officers to always break contact and create distance might cause them to miss the best opportunity to use surprise and superior technique to win a close-range encounter. Eventually, officers will need to re-engage in the same space they initially abandoned.

https://youtu.be/POsuD82cx44?si=zJqBki6vtlCKx0ou

By training officers to recognize and seize the first opportunity to use the least amount of force necessary to end an encounter, we all win.

3 Ways Our Program Is Different

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:41:09 GMT

What Sets Our Law Enforcement Training Program Apart

At Team Hardy, we pride ourselves on offering a law enforcement training program that stands out from the rest. Here are three key elements that differentiate our program:

1. Tactical System

Our program features a comprehensive system of techniques that seamlessly flow from one to the next. This continuity and replication ensure that students maximize skill retention, build confidence, and enhance their problem-solving abilities in dynamic use-of-force situations. We emphasize the concept of constantly evaluating “the next best place to win the encounter,” bridging the gap between firearms, less-lethal options, alternate weapons, tactical decision-making, and defensive tactics training.

2. Liability Reduction

We understand the importance of reducing liability in law enforcement training. Our students are rigorously evaluated on their ability to physically perform essential skills needed for a ground tactics program. However, as a coaching program, we also focus on their ability to teach these techniques. This includes organizing students on the mats, structuring drills to maximize learning and minimize injury potential, and managing the number, pace, and quality of repetitions. Our goal is to document the totality of the training, not just the information presented.

3 . Professional Development

Professional development is at the core of our training philosophy. Students are exposed to and expected to apply adult learning concepts and methodologies to their classes, maximizing their impact and creating a professional training environment. They are evaluated on their physical ability to perform the skills, their coaching abilities in small group sessions, and their acceptance of feedback from staff and peers. Our expectation is that they return to their agencies physically and mentally prepared to coach their students to positive outcomes and enhance their agency’s program.

At Team Hardy, we are committed to providing a training experience that not only equips law enforcement professionals with the necessary skills but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth. Join us and experience the difference!

How Long Should Confidence Drills Be?

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 19:42:28 GMT

Mastering Law Enforcement Confidence Drills: Bridging Training and Real-World Encounters

One of the primary goals of any law enforcement training session should be to ensure that students leave better equipped mentally and physically to meet the demands of the job. But how do we bridge the gap between learning skills in a controlled environment and winning real-life encounters with highly resistive subjects? The answer lies in what we call “confidence drills.”

What Are Confidence Drills?

Think of live drilling for wrestlers, live rolls in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), or sparring for mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters. Our confidence drills move beyond technique critique and instructor-initiated responses, giving students the chance to make decisions based on real-time resistance. These drills test and enhance students’ skills in escalation, de-escalation, emotional control, and tactically sound decision-making. They are scalable to push students of all fitness levels, skill capabilities, and law enforcement experience, ensuring everyone leaves our training sessions better prepared.

How Long Should a Confidence Drill Be?

Drawing from my experience as an amateur MMA fighter, where preparation for a fight involved knowing the opponent, fight location, rules, and duration, we apply a similar approach to law enforcement training. Unlike MMA, officers don’t know the specifics of their encounters. Therefore, we focus on the one variable we can control: the duration of the encounter.

We survey the class about their backup response time and train far beyond that. For instance, if the average response time is five minutes, our confidence drill lasts 45 minutes. This involves a 50/10 split—50 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest—mimicking the unpredictable nature of real encounters while teaching students to identify and utilize brief moments to catch their breath and assess the situation.

Conclusion

Confidence drills are the perfect training adaptation, allowing students to demonstrate skill proficiency and build the self-confidence needed to win critical encounters. These drills ensure that every participant leaves our training sessions better prepared for the challenges they may face on the job.

Join Us for Our Next Session!

Stay tuned for more insights and training tips. Follow us on social media and check out our latest videos to see these drills in action!

#LawEnforcementTraining #ConfidenceDrills #GroundTactics #PoliceTraining #MMA #BJJ #Fitness #Mindset #TeamHardy #OnPurposePodcast #LawEnforcementFitness #TacticalTraining

Unlocking Student Engagement in Law Enforcement

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 17:40:41 GMT

3 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Training Sessions

Unlocking Student Engagement in Law Enforcement Training

One of the most common challenges we hear from our students at the beginning of our courses is the struggle to stay engaged. Many describe scenarios where students attend classes just to get their names on the attendance sheet, without any real expectation of improving. Unfortunately, this is a widespread issue in law enforcement training rooms across the country.

Here are three effective strategies to increase student buy-in and enthusiasm:

1. Are You Bought In?

As an instructor, it’s crucial to lead by example. Maintain your physical fitness to pass the “eye test” that most officers will use when they enter training. Can you perform the tasks you expect from your students? Coaches should continuously develop their skills by reading books, watching videos, and learning from experts in coaching and human performance outside of law enforcement. Avoid being the “this is the way we’ve always done it” instructor. Keep your ego in check and remember that the training is not about showcasing your greatness but about enhancing your students’ abilities. It’s unrealistic to expect students to generate excitement and positive energy if the instructors themselves are not modeling it.

2. Setting the Stage

The classroom environment plays a significant role in student engagement. Ensure the classroom is set up, cleaned, and ready before the first student arrives. Display a logo, picture, or quote on the screen to greet them. Play music to engage their sense of hearing and create a warm atmosphere. Arrange desks, tables, and chairs neatly to show that you and your team take their time seriously. Arriving early to prepare the classroom demonstrates your commitment to making the most of their learning time.

3. Program Progression

It’s essential to keep your training program current with new case law rulings, statute changes, and use-of-force trends nationwide. Teach new skills that address the threats today’s officers face, both on the street and within use-of-force guidelines. Continuously update your program by removing outdated skills that are no longer effective or appropriate. To gain student buy-in, ensure your programs remain relevant, build confidence, and prepare officers to handle use-of-force encounters successfully.

Conclusion:

By implementing these strategies, you can transform your training sessions and inspire your students to excel. Let’s work together to create a more engaging and effective training environment for our law enforcement officers. Stay tuned for more insights and tips on enhancing your training programs!

#LawEnforcement #Training #StudentEngagement #PoliceTraining #Leadership #ContinuousImprovement

Shadow Drilling for Law Enforcement

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 18:18:43 GMT

Shadow boxing. Shadow wrestling. Why not shadow drilling for law enforcement?

Most of you are familiar with the term “shadow boxing” right?

The activity where a person throws, slips, and ducks punches while watching in the mirror or moving around the ring by themselves. Go to any wrestling practice and you’ll see wrestlers of all ages taking shots, defending shots, and getting off the bottom, with intensity, smoothness, and without a partner while “shadow wrestling”.

How could borrow from these time-honored combat sports and improve law enforcement training?

In our classes we call it “shadow drilling”. After students have shown proficiency in doing the techniques with partners, and towards the end of classes, we have them put on their full duty gear. We will lead them repetitions of all the skills we worked on that session. Elevated heart rate to match the real world demands they can anticipate, verbal commands, follow up transitional decision making, all done without a partner.

Watch this video to see a demonstration of shadow drills in a recent training session

https://youtu.be/-WQiCsWhmsQ?si=cgUPtL6w5r1e7PUI

What are the benefits of this?

- Mental repetitions are a great way to increase skill building and confidence

- Students with pre-existing injuries or physical limitations can still participate

- Reduce injury potential to role playing bad guys, who are usually other students in full gear repetitions

- Evaluation of gear placement, practicality, and functionality

- Students can do this type of training on their own outside of normal class times to elevate their skills, confidence, and performance

One of the things I pride our team of coaches on is the ability to think outside of the box, to get creative, and to look forward in how to best coach our law enforcement students to be their best!

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 14:11:43 GMT

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be an important tool as we look to improve the quality of coaching and content our law enforcement professionals receive.

However, we must also use our experience in both, tactical law enforcement and the sport of BJJ, to evaluate and teach the skills that are tactically sound, fundamentally solid, and legally defensible in our profession.

In this video we discuss three considerations we must apply as we adapt BJJ for law enforcement:

- Weapon Retention

- Control to Handcuffing Process

- Ability to disengage and respond to tactically changing environment

Visit our website www.teamhardy to learn more about our 3-day Ground Tactics Coaches Course and see the schedule of upcoming classes around the country.

Watch video on YouTube here https://youtu.be/tZ0f2sZsHQw

Appearance on Limitless Momentum w/ Arianna Stone Podcast

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 20:47:59 GMT

I recently joined fellow LEO Ariana Stone on her podcast, Limitless Momentum. Ariana currently works for a police department in the Chicago area and has started a side hustle designed to promote awareness and well being for the mental health of our first responders. Her company donates profits of shirt sales to local organizations with similar goals.

It was an honor to help her launch her podcast and "bet on herself". Watch this episode on the YouTube link below on listen to is on all major podcast apps.

You can watch the interview on YouTube here...

https://youtu.be/hRQj327IjPs?si=IYhKbwmBdKvFPWR5

Falling Acorn - What Can We Learn?

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 01:30:04 GMT

Tragedy Averted, Carrer Ended, Will We Learn Anything From It?

https://youtu.be/OxnuPgiPHLA?si=PBAK50jLbrapx_tb

This video has been getting a lot of attention around the country and is an easy target for all sorts of jokes.

However, I’d like us to look critically at it and see what we can learn from someone else’s mistake, which thankfully did not cost a human life.

The county Sheriff of the agency involved in this incident said they would be changing their training to ensure it did not happen again.

If you were the Sheriff, what changes would you make?

What factors should they be considering in making any changes?

Link to the Internal Investigation findings below

https://www.sheriff-okaloosa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IA-2023-031-Final-Report-Jackson.pdf

Spring Course in Helena, MT is SOLD OUT

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 14:56:38 GMT

Our spring class in Montana has officially sold out! If you are still interested in joining the group for this session, please email us and we can add you to the waiting list if any cancellations occur.

We will open registration for our Fall session in Montana in late spring 2024.

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Training Fear or Belief?

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 17:46:18 GMT

The Origins of Our Confidence Drills

I was training for an upcoming mixed martial arts (mma) fight and as I showed up to the gym for our Friday afternoon team practice, I noticed the cars of my teammates weren’t in the lot yet. Sure, some of them could have been running late, but not all of them.

This is weird I thought to myself as I walked through the doors of Trials Mixed Martial Arts. I was greeted as usual by our coach and world champion fighter, Ryan Schultz, who was sipping a cup of coffee as usual waiting for the chance to make us all better.

Beginning my warmup routine, I jogged around the gym, did a bit of jump rope, and started shadow boxing, all while keeping my eye on the door just waiting for a teammate to show up.

Fortunately for me no one else arrived this day and with this experience began an integral part of our law enforcement coaching program.

Ryan emerged from the coach’s area and onto the mats in full sparring gear! He told me to gear up and reminded me most of our team fought the weekend before, so they were in recovery mode, while my fight still a few weeks away meant I still needed hard training.

Today he said it would just be the two of us and we would do one round of full mma sparring.

I thought to myself one round. My fight was scheduled for three – three-minute rounds so I needed at least that much time, but he’s the coach I’ll do what he says. What I did not know was the 1 round was for 25 minutes! It lasted almost two and a half times of my expected fight! For 25 minutes we boxed, kickboxed, wrestled, attempted submissions, escaped submissions, got tired, wanted to quit, and never did!

This round was not designed to critique perfect technique, or offer detailed break downs, it was designed to test my heart and my spirit. Ryan would offer words of encouragement, “keep moving”, “breath”, “wrestle, wrestle, wrestle” were all phrases I can still hear him saying to me to this day. He was building confidence in me! Confidence that if I could go with a world champion for 25 minutes, I could go for nine minutes with an amateur fighter.

When I began our Ground Tactics Coaches program, this was a drill that would be paramount in bridging the gap between law enforcement techniques and coaching students to believe in themselves in the darkest moments. This would be the way we would replace fear with belief!

In this video with a student from a recent course you can hear me doing the same for her as Ryan did for me. This confidence drill included 45 minutes of alternating between jumping jacks, scissor jacks, flutter kicks, and holding planks in 50 second intervals with 10 seconds of rest to create elevated heart rate and stress response. Each student came into the middle of the mat three times each with a different coach each time escaping, controlling, breathing, and making use of force decisions while under duress.

https://youtu.be/oxKe5VudsGs

“Giving Cops Confidence to Win”

2024 Spring Courses Open Now!

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 18:31:38 GMT

Will this be the year your taking your coaching to the next level?

Registration is open now for our spring 2024 courses including this one kicking off the year in beautiful Helena, Montana.

On The Blue Line Podcast Appearance

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 17:57:56 GMT

I recently joined fellow LEO Wayne Mulder on his show to discuss the importance of coaching law enforcement officers to perform with confidence, the need for us to remain as warriors despite negative connotations of it, and I shared a personal story of how I know coaching works in LE.

You can watch the interview on YouTube here...

https://youtu.be/YtV06gIGwhU

Jerrod Joins Olympian Brett Hawke

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 23:48:27 GMT

In this podcast Jerrod and Olympic swimmer Brett Hawke talk coaching!

Click here to watch full interview on YouTube and let us know your thoughts.

Students Must Know They.... MATTER!

Mon, 15 May 2023 01:15:00 GMT

Students must know you care before they care how much you know!

One of my favorite parts of our three day Ground Tactic Coaches Course is getting to sit down one on one with each student to ask about their career goals, life dreams, family, and truly let them know within our team we care!

We can do this by limiting classes to no more than 16 students. No cooking cutter one size fits all approach from our team or our students.

Our law enforcement professionals deserve to know they matter, and need to leave not just with a certificate but with an understanding that it's their job to make their students know they matter!

Adult Learning Concepts Apply to Use of Force Training

Thu, 11 May 2023 01:00:00 GMT

Are we using proven adult learning methodology in our use of force training?

In law enforcement training we tend to over train the physical domain of our students. More reps! More time doing more reps! Is a frequent message from trainers to struggling students.

What if the issue does not lie in the physical domain of learning. More reps can be defeating, discouraging, and create a total loss of confidence by the student.

Did we stop to evaluate how the student's feel about the skills, tactics, or topic at hand?

This is where the affective domain sneaks into impacting performance, through a nasty four letter word....FEAR!

Next time you are training someone who is struggling, after they have demonstrated the cognitive knowledge of the topic, shown competency in the physical skills, ask them, "what are you afraid of".

You might be shocked at the answer and unlock the key to performance!

Training to Create Inspired Leaders

Wed, 03 May 2023 01:00:00 GMT

What kind of impact is your use of force training creating for your students?

When we get the opportunity to train students in physical skills we have an obligation to go beyond just those skills.

We need to take advantage of the opportunity to impact their lives by asking tough questions, giving honest feedback, and creating a culture of training the whole person.

As you can read in this testimonial, ground tactics was secondary to the leadership virtues this group took away from our three days together.

This is also a great testimonial to the organizational changes we can help create in our "closed" or single agency classes. In these courses we can get into specifics of policy, SOP's, and training issues of your agency. Leaving your team of instructors ready to lead, coach, and inspire change!

Law Enforcement Training Should Be Challenging

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:36:24 GMT

There is too much at stake for our officers, their families, and our communities.

As witnessed in this testimonial, when we challenge our students mentally and physically, we can help remind them of who they used to be, wanted to be, and can still become.

Mat time and coaching through confidence can carry over in our students lives long beyond the actual number of hours we spend rolling on the mats together!

Choose to invest! Choose to believe! Choose to care!

See you all on the mats!

Be Your Own Superhero

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 19:29:33 GMT

Jerrod join Zanna Wolfgang on the VST Podcast to share some of the more personal side of his story.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2065431/12388134

In this episode, we visit with Jerrod Hardy, husband, father of 3, "retired" police officer, mixed martial arts fighter, entrepreneur (owned MMA gym, currently train LEO around country, Podcast), author, and most recently full-time traveler with his wife in their Airstream. He believes in chasing dreams and living life on your terms and in a manner that you are proud of.

Take Aways:

Purpose is key to a fulfilled life. His is honoring his mom's sacrifice choosing to have him at 16.
You discover your purpose when in action not waiting for it.
Happiness/your Best Life is a CHOICE.
Get our of our own way, only then can you discover what is possible
Vision Board - Clarity, do one with your spouse to learn about eachother.
If we limit ourselves, we are limiting our children
Be scared, do it anyway - Embrace and Move through FEAR
Generational Healing
Or Power lies in Accountability.
Be your own Superhero.

Guest Appearance on The Breaking Badge Show

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:00:15 GMT

Jerrod gets interviewed by retired LEO Ryan Chartrand on his start up podcast

https://youtu.be/NKEnhsya8Js

Join us as we discuss why fear is not a bad thing, the need for better training not necessarily more training in law enforcement, our favorite books, and my grandmother's restaurant habits.

I'd love to hear your feedback and cannot wait to see you on the mats soon.

Video Debrief

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 17:23:57 GMT

OFFICER BODY SLAMMED ON VIDEO

Training Video

https://youtu.be/Iuu3c0NotIA

Training Debrief

On any video debrief for training whether for coaches or for students in a class is to answer two questions.

1. What level of resistance is the suspect offering? In this case I think we could agree it was “active aggression” meaning the suspect was wanting to fight the officer. He was not passive like a protestor or defensively trying to avoid arrest, he was the aggressor.

2. What level or response are we legally, morally, and ethically allowed to use in this situation? I think we could all agree we could use Taser if we had distance, OC, Impact weapon or our personal weapons (strikes, knees etc.) I did not hear from anyone who thought this was a deadly force situation based only on what we saw.

Here are the most submitted responses from our newsletter audience and our breakdown:

Create Space and Utilize Tools:

First let’s address the stance. Making sure weapon side is back, giving us a wider, deeper base making us that much harder to control and toss. Second, anytime someone’s hands are under ours, we need to be thinking weapon retention first, by pummeling our weapon side arm inside their “underhook”. This would allow us to negate their better position while securing our weapon. Win/Win situation. With the underhook, we can begin to circle towards it and use our leverage to off balance them.

Stay Engaged:

If someone gets double underhooks and we cannot pummel in, we can start negating their leverage by bring our elbows in, wrapping under their arms and trying to get their elbows to meet in their center. This takes away a lot of their power. Secondly, head position.

Just like in our “wedge position” where we use our head to steer theirs, we could make sure we are using our forehead to steer their head to one side or the other, thus starting the process of eliminating options for them. Remember the saying “where the head goes, the body follows”. By winning the battle for head position we can start moving them in a direction that is advantageous for us.

Strikes:

Almost all of you come from a system that allows and trains strikes. Could this officer have went to his elbow strikes (Krav Maga), knee strikes (most systems), brachial stun (PPCT)? In order to effectively strike we must create that solid base just like we would if we were trying to create distance.

Conclusion:

Our goal of these discussions within our team and students, is not to establish absolute, right, or wrong. Instead, we want to create critical thinking, problem solving, and awareness in our students so they can respond to a fluid situation with confidence.

The ideal response here could have been a combination of all of the above. For us as coaches, it is imperative for us to train scenarios like this, where students get to practice making the decisions, getting a feel for how they would like to respond in the safety of training before being faced with it on the streets.

New Program for 2023

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 19:10:53 GMT

Small or Rural Agency? Limited Training Time? Limited Personnel?

Let us bring our world class program and experienced law enforcement coaches to your agency!

No more excuses on why you cannot have progressive, top notch, coaching and philosophy for your agency members.

Customizable training blocks (4 or 8 hours) in our Basic Ground Tactics Curriculum

Partner with neighboring agencies to improve inter agency cohesion, skills, and share costs

*Students completing this program will NOT be certified coaches*

Sometimes You Got To Have a Little Fun

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 02:22:27 GMT

A little end of summer dance with my son! Be sure to enjoy the small moments and take those breaks from the seriousness of our profession.

Click link below to see video.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZZ0i_t0XiNs

LAPD Officer Dies in Training

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 15:51:56 GMT

Confidence Drill Safety Tips

According to news reports the fallen officer died during training scenarios in which he was grappling with another officer.

I do not know all the details to this situation but I thought it was important to remind us all of safety measures especially during our confidence drills:

1. Drills should only be done with coaches pushing students never student versus student
2. Confidence drills lead to student confidence not instructor domination
3. Short in duration with desired outcome known by coaches before drill begins
4. At conclusion of practice after skills have been successfully completed in less dynamic application
5. Students must be properly warmed up for drills (do not go from low level heart rate right to dynamic without preparing their bodies)
6. Adjust to the physical limits (injury, shape) of each student
7. If in doubt, dial things back! We can always train again another day.

Here is the link to the Newsweek article:

https://www.newsweek.com/lapd-officer-dies-catastrophic-accident-during-training-exercise-1711274

Our Program's History

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Tue, 10 May 2022 22:36:15 GMT

From 2003 to today, a description of our program and how we got here.

I started my law enforcement career in the United States Air Force in 1992 before being honorably discharged in 1996. I spent my first four years in civilian law enforcement with the Butte-Silver Bow Police Department in Butte, Montana.

In 2001, my family and I relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado, where I spent the next 17 years serving with the Fort Collins Police Department in

a variety of roles. I was an entry specialist on the SWAT team, a School Resource Officer, in-service training coordinator, recruit academy coordinator, and my favorite task was serving as a lead defensive tactics instructor.

It was here that my passion for coaching and building confidence in our officers, young and old, truly took hold.

In 2003 I started supplementing my law enforcement training by attending Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) classes several times a week at a local gym. I loved the process of getting better at BJJ and immersed myself in the culture of it. I began looking for law enforcement specific BJJ options and there were not many. Thankfully, I found Shane Pitts and his Law Enforcement Ground Skills program.

Instructor:

Shane Pitts was one of north America’s first BJJ Black Belts and was running a successful BJJ school in Denver, Colorado. He was one of the first true mixed martial arts coaches, with a background in judo, wrestling, and striking to go along with his BJJ skills.

He was preparing and coaching fighters from the very first Ultimate Fighting Championship event in 1993 and was involved in training multiple world championship level fighters.

His law enforcement training courses felt a lot like a fight camp. Hard conditioning, lots of live grappling, and many realizations about what being in fighting shape was or was not. It was not uncommon to hear a student complaining about how hard Shane’s classes were years after attending one.

Shane taught me the value of teaching real life skills that work for everyone. I saw the importance of knowing the why and how of the techniques. I learned how to build confidence in our law enforcement students by pushing them harder than most traditional classes would.

Teacher:

Al Brown was the lead instructor and creator of the Fort Collins Police Defensive Tactics system which was one of the first blended systems I had ever experienced. Here we were taught the best parts of numerous different disciplines that we would mesh to create a system that worked for our agency and community.

Al taught me to be a teacher and how to apply adult learning principles to the skills being taught on the mat. He was professional in all manners of prepping for a course, creating student buy in, and in building a program that met the needs of the students through soliciting their feedback.

It was here that I learned the importance of addressing the affective learning domain through open and honest communication. He showed me how to diagnose performance problems through conversation, creativity, and not simply by demanding more physical repetitions.

Coach:

In 2012 my BJJ journey took me to Trials Mixed Martial Arts where I got to train with and learn from Ryan Schultz.

He was one of the original members of the famed mixed martial arts gym, Team Quest, out of Oregon. Ryan trained alongside such legends as Randy Couture, Dan Henderson and Chael Sonnen, just to name a few.

Ryan was himself a former world champion and brought with him an intensity and passion for getting the absolute best out of every student. It was under his tutelage that I would compete in my mixed martials arts fights from 2014-2016.

At the young age of 42, I wanted a challenge, and it was time to test myself. I needed to see if I could execute what I believed in when it mattered most. This process allowed me to find answers to questions I had been seeking. I was able to create community through charitable donations and found a passion to bring Ryan’s style of coaching to law enforcement professionals around the country.

Team Hardy:

After teaching thousands of hours to Fort Collins Police Officers from 2006-2015, we launched our Coaches Certification Program in 2015, by hosting our first class back where my career started, in Butte, Montana.

It was our mission to be different from all other training programs. We could coach officers to believe in themselves through hard work, real skills, and by applying proven adult learning techniques.

Over the past seven years we have continued to evolve our skills but our commitment to our students remains the same. Giving cops confidence to win!

Thank you for joining our community of coaches around the country.

Congrats to our Newest Coaches

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 20:15:03 GMT

Ground Tactics Basic Coaches Course - Montana Law Enforcement Academy - April 2022

Thanks again to the staff at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy for hosting our annual spring training session there.

This year we welcomed 16 first time students to the basic program and could not be more proud of their growth and development over the three day course.

Congrats to you all and I can't wait to see you again next year!

Smaller Class Sizes = Greater Impact

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 15:15:03 GMT

Why do we limit our classes to only 16 students?

I believe in the importance of the coach/student relationship.

I value knowing who my students are and the goals they are seeking in their career.

I love the questions seeking deeper knowledge and having the time to individualize the training they receive and will provide.

I want to know the people that wear our logo, represent our brand, and help us create the next generation of law enforcement professionals.

This is no cookie cutter, mass produced program where students are just numbers.

Our program was created by law enforcement for law enforcement and prepares our students to meet the demands of coaching today's officers to be their best.

Learn More Here

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 01:49:06 GMT

Listen to our episode here: https://www.leo2ceo.com/copreneur-path/077

If you enjoy this episode be sure to like, comment, and share it to help us spread the word!

How We Know Coaching Works for Law Enforcement

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 16:28:41 GMT

Invest in the process of creating winning outcomes for your students.

In this picture you see me getting ready to enter the cage for a mixed martial arts fight and with me is one of the best coaches I have ever met, Ryan Schultz. Former world champion of the International Fight League, Division 1 wrestler at the University of Nebraska and one of the most mentally tough people I've ever been around.

He is a great coach not because he told me what I wanted to hear, or let me do only what I wanted to do, but because he challenged me to be better.

Ryan invested himself in the outcome of my fights and in such he was deeply invested in the process of the preparation, the training.

At the time of this photo, I had been a police officer for 15 years and not one law enforcement training session resembled or felt like a "practice". Training sessions were focused on presenting the information and the lesson plan, not creating winning performances.

This experience became a foundational principle for the training program and company I wanted to create.

A place where law enforcement professionals were coached to believe not fear, to win not survive, and to know we were invested in the process AND the outcome.

"Giving Cops Confidence to Win"

Great work Josh Leonard and MT Fish, Wildlife, and Parks

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 21:46:17 GMT

East Helena man banned from hunting for illegal kill of trophy Moose

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Behind the Badge

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 21:39:31 GMT

Community Policing at it's best is Community Involvement

Seeing stuff likes this warms my heart and puts a smile on my face!

Cole Zempel , the School Resource Officer at a middle school in Colorado was at the wrestling meet to support his school's program and community.

What happened next is the kind of stuff legends are made of and far to often the world does not hear about.

They were short a referee to get the matches going.

What most of the parents in the stands did not know was that Cole also happens to be a former Division 1 wrestler at the University of Northern Iowa .

Off comes the uniform and in steps the new referee.

I don't know if he made all the right calls that night, but I'm sure these kids will never forget the night the police officer refereed their middle school match.

10 Minute Scenario Based Use of Force Training

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 23:03:00 GMT

Here is a quick way to incorporate skill-based, scenario training into your use of force training program

Across the country, I frequently hear instructors wish they could do more scenario-based use of force training, but they just don't believe they have the time or ability to do so. Here is a quick way to incorporate realistic, skill-based, use of force scenario training into your training program that requires no more than 10 minutes of time.

Read full blog article only at Police1.com

https://www.police1.com/police-training/articles/got-10-minutes-then-run-through-this-scenario-based-use-of-force-training-session-xQswolTgIQXiuOuz/

The Value of Experience

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 18:08:13 GMT

What is the Value of Experience?

This week I was able to return to the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and the place where my career started. I was honored to be able to share my passion, my experiences and the lessons I learned in my career with the next generation of law enforcement professionals.

It got me thinking about the value of experience.

Over the course of your life, you will experience many highs and lows, smiles and tears, successes and failures, in your personal relationships and career.

What value does your experience have?

Now imagine if you shared you experiences with the next generation and those who aspire to follow in your footsteps.

How much more value would you create?

How much better could you make the future?

FEAR and Law Enforcement

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 15:46:02 GMT

How Fear Affects Law Enforcement Training and Performance

Police officers no matter how well screened, tested, evaluated, and trained are humans just like the rest of the community members they have volunteered to serve. As such they are subject to all the human emotions, happiness, sadness, anger, embarrassment, joy, empathy, and FEAR.

Yes, your police officers are afraid! Afraid of the unique physical dangers and now more than ever before they are afraid of the political ramifications of the job.

The good news is that through professional training and problem identification we can identify and address fear as a performance issue sooner than later.

Three indicators that a fear issue may be occurring:

1. Reluctance to Engage – Officers demonstrate all of the book knowledge, pass the written tests, perform well in controlled training programs, but once out on the street they blend into the background and are reluctant to take on the lead role in calls.

2. Over Reliance on Tools – This officer is most likely known to their peers by the type of “tool” they tend to use on call after call, much more frequently than their peers. Fear and lack of confidence in their physical fitness, training, skill level and overall confidence is masked by the reliance on a tool that if it does not work, they will not be to blame for it nor accountable.

3. Quick Escalation – Similar to the over reliant officer, this officer is quicker than peer officers on the same type of calls to escalate to the use of force or threatened use of force. Many times, this officer is playing a dangerous game of bluffing to gain compliance knowing they are not legally justified to use such force.

While it is great to identify fear impacting street performance it is even better to do it in the training environment. In each of my classes one of the first things we will openly discuss is the fears we are bringing with us.

Our Brother’s Keeper?

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 15:34:27 GMT

Choose To Be More

“Be Thy Brother’s Keeper” was our slogan for the year. It adorned the shirts earned by our students at the end of three challenging days.

However, it was also much more than that. It was open and honest talks about what it really means to care for one another in this profession.

It was skills that pushed them physically and mentally to a place of confidence not fear.

It was training provided at an intensity to simulate live fights on the street in a safe injury free environment.

It was honest feedback on the need to improve ourselves and the training we provide our people.

It was laughter, sweat, and a bit of tears from some of the toughest people around.

It was choosing to truly care about each other, as co-workers, students and people beyond each shift.

It was deciding we would not settle for less in our personal and professional lives.

It was an honor to share the mats and this time with each other.

different source.

Why Coaching Wins Over Instruction for Today’s Law Enforcement Professionals

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 15:24:51 GMT

Coaching for Better Performance from our Students

I love starting my classes off with a discussion on the difference between a coach and an instructor.

Students from all sizes of agencies. Rural and urban. Large and small, will generally offer the same kind of feedback.

They will tell me things like this:

“An instructor is knowledgeable of the material. They should hopefully practice the craft they are instructing.

Instructors will have an outline or course document and will ensure they get through the material.”

Then I ask them how the instructor is evaluated and how is course determined to be a success?

After a short pause and some awkward silence, I usually must prod them again with the question.

Reluctantly they will say the course is a “success” if the attendance sheet is signed and the material was provided to them.

No follow up to the results it created in the “real world”. No individualization to make sure each student leaves confidently prepared for the challenge of applying the new information.

I then shift gears and ask them to tell me about a “coach” who has made a difference in their lives and why?

They will provide many of the same attributes they listed for the instructor, but then something more becomes clear.

The coach made an impact because they “cared, pushed them to be better, got on them when necessary, and was invested in their success”.

Coaches keep their jobs, reputations, and status based not on how much they know, but on how well their students apply what they taught them!

As the national narrative around policing talks about the need for more training, I would ask you to pause and give thought to this.

Do we need more “training” or “better” training?

Training that focuses on the creating confident prepared professionals that can use the information and skills to create positive results in their communities.

Courses taught by coaches prepared, skilled, and who are mindful of the impact they will have in the life of the students, if they choose to care.

I always remind my students to always remember this.

“It is never the student who should be honored to be before the teacher, but the teacher who should be honored to stand before the student”.

Go out and make someone better today!

Another senseless loss

jerrod@teamhardy.net (Jerrod Hardy) — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 16:03:36 GMT

The Path We Walk

In the wake of losing another police officer to violence in Colorado I sent this message to all of the recruits I am privileged to lead as they start their careers:

Good morning team,

Last night while I was doing homework with my son safely in the comfort of my home, an Adams County deputy lost his life in the line of duty.

No doubt he was a man just like you and I who found a purpose in serving others and helping those who can’t help themselves.

Unfortunately his calling put him in harm’s way and now his family, loved ones, and friends, are left dealing with the questions of why now and why him.

I send you these thoughts because this is the path you are also on.

You will need to run towards danger, risk your own safety to protect others, and do it all knowing you’re the life your family has come to expect hinges on the outcomes of these encounters.

So never take a moment with them for granted, get to know who your partners are for their family is trusting you with their lives, and live a full life every day.

Thoughts and prayers to all those affected by another senseless tragedy.

team-hardy

Keep Peace in Your Soul: A Leadership Reflection Inspired by Desiderata

A Leadership Reflection

From Desiderata, by Max Ehrmann, 1927

What This Means for Leaders

﻿

1. Clarity Isn’t a Prerequisite for Action

2. Inner Steadiness Is a Strategic Advantage

3. Difficulty Doesn’t Mean You’re Off Course

4. Beauty Still Exists — Even in the Grind

Reflection:

Identity + Intentional Presence — The Foundation of Excellence in Leadership

Leadership doesn’t begin with strategy, plans, or performance metrics.

It begins with identity — and the presence leaders bring into every room, conversation, and moment of pressure.

﻿

This is the foundation of Pillar 1 in the Excellence in Leadership System™.

Identity: The Starting Point of Leadership

Intentional Presence: Making Identity Visible

A Core Truth at the Center of Leadership

“Teams don’t just follow direction.

They follow the person giving it.”

How Pillar 1 Shows Up Across Industries

Skilled Trades

Public Safety

Education

Corporate

Nonprofits

Same truth: leadership identity and presence matter everywhere.

Why Pillar 1 Matters Now More Than Ever

Closing Reflection

Showing Up Changes Everything: My Conversation on Beyond the Finish Line

Showing Up Changes Everything: My Conversation on Beyond the Finish Line

Rewriting Limits Through Endurance

Why Showing Up Still Matters

If You Need a Push Forward

Training Law Enforcement Like Fighters: A Coach’s Perspective

Training Law Enforcement Like Fighters: A Coach’s Perspective

What I Wish I Knew About Training BJJ 20 Years Ago

Lessons for Law Enforcement Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Practitioners

1️⃣ Choose the Right Academy

2️⃣ Training Partners Matter

3️⃣ Win Less, Flow More

�� Final Thoughts

The Mission Behind the Miles: Turning Effort into Impact

�� The Mission Behind the Miles: Turning Effort into Impact

Courage and Resilience: Montana 911 Training Forum, Sept 15–17, 2025, Missoula, Montana

Elevating Leadership: The Power of Perspective Shifts

Leadership is more than a position—it’s a commitment to growth, adaptability, and real-time decision-making.

Supreme Court Ruling Confirms What We Have Always Taught

Understanding the Supreme Court Ruling

Why This Ruling Reinforces Our Training Approach

The Path Forward: Training for Real-World Decision Making

Training with Purpose: Honoring the Sacrifices of Those Before Us

Training with Intention

Reflection and Action

The Leadership Mindset: Recognizing the Good Old Days Before They’re Gone

How Awareness Turns Everyday Leadership into Lasting Impact

Turn Sacrifice Into Strength: How to Build a Legacy of Growth

Honoring Your Past, Owning Your Present, and Creating a Future Worth Celebrating

The Power of Reflection

Owning Today

Creating a Future of Gratitude

Take Action This Week

Teaching, Coaching, and Growing Together

Congratulations to our newest coaches in Northern Colorado!

Welcome Our Newest Ground Tactics Coaches to Team Hardy

Welcome to our newest coaches from our private session with the Loveland, Colorado Police Department.

Enhancing Law Enforcement Training: Unified Skill System

Enhancing Law Enforcement Training: Embracing a Unified Skill System

Reaffirming Our Coaching Philosophy

The Best Time to Do Anything New, Hard, or Designed to Make You Better is…NOW!

The Best Time to Do Anything New, Hard, or Designed to Make You Better is…NOW!

Embrace the Challenge

Why Now?

Our Commitment at Team Hardy

Join Us in 2025

Empowering Law Enforcement: Beyond the Mats and Into Leadership

Creating results that last far beyond our time on the mats!

“Thank you for providing not only great material for us to utilize but also helping me grow as a leader and a man.”

Welcoming Our Newest Coaches: A Transformative Experience at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy

It was an honor to help her launch her podcast and "bet on herself". Watch this episode on the YouTube link below on listen to is on all major podcast apps.