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Guardians of the Ground: How to escape the mounted position

Having a principle-based plan to escape provides a tactical advantage — and builds confidence under pressure

This groundbreaking video series is designed for law enforcement professionals of all ranks. Built on a foundation of Jiu-Jitsu principles, the series integrates critical topics like articulation, case law, de-escalation and more. Each episode features expert instruction, gear demonstrations and a recap of key concepts — equipping officers with practical, principle-based tactics they can apply on the street.

In this episode, Tyson Kilbey and Joe Sullivan break down a foundational Jiu-Jitsu principle: escaping the mounted position. With the rise of MMA and its influence on real-world encounters, officers are increasingly likely to find themselves in this dominant position. Having a principle-based plan to escape provides a tactical advantage — and builds confidence under pressure.

Gear up: Must-have training tools from Tyson Kilbey

Take your training further with gear that complements the tactics in this episode:

Tyson Kilbey has more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement, consisting of three years as a hotel security supervisor and 22 years as a deputy sheriff for the Johnson County (Kansas) Sheriff’s Office. He has worked in the detention, patrol and training divisions, SWAT and accident investigation units. He is currently a captain of the Training Unit 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 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. Proceeds from the match go to charitable causes.