Catch Wrestling for Cops: Control and Arrest Tactics for the Politically Incorrect

Let me start by saying that if you think you are going to "learn" control tactics from a book, then the error is with YOU, not the author. Learning self defense and control tactics takes real-life practice. A book can be a handy guide, but it can only take a person so far.That being said, I actually liked the author's attempt at introducing a better way to subdue hostile suspects. Too much of what is currently being sold to police departments as "control tactics" is ineffective, overly complex, or both. Additionally, very little of what is taught takes place from the FRONT of the suspect, which is where we are normally standing when the fight starts. So....I actually liked the fact that this particular set of techniques starts from the face-to-face position.I also liked the fact that the techniques shown were reasonably easy to work, appear to be "high percentage" moves with a reasonably high success rate, and consistently led into the same handcuffing technique. This is a key to any good program, as every move should at least TRY to get the officer back to the same handcuffing position. I felt that the author did a good job of this, and the techniques had a good flow to them. Additionally, the book was reasonably well illustrated, which anyone with a desire to learn from a book will certainly appreciate.So...were there any negatives to the book? Well...yes...a couple. Firstly, the book could have stood some professional editing. Spelling and grammar still matter to people, and even minor errors like the ones found in this book can detract from the overall effect, making what could have been a GREAT book into just a good one. Please, future self-publishers....have someone else look at your book before you publish it. Preferably someone with an ability to edit.Secondly, while I realize the author was trying to come across as witty and "street-wise" with his humor, his attempts at including his target audience (police) with inside jokes and "cop" humor will come across as unprofessional at best to civilians. If the book was being marketed exclusivley to police, then fine....joke away. If you are going to sell to everyone else in the free world though, the cop humor needs to be eliminated.Overall, however, I thought this book was a good addition to any police officer's library, and certainly worth more than just a casual look by anyone who wants to add new tools to their control tactics toolbox. I would even go so far as to recommend that the author consider a producing a companion video, to illustrate his methods in live form. While not a great book, I do feel that this was worth the money spent.

The information and instruction in this book is clear and precise. I ordered the book to show moral support to a friend and found that it would be very helpful to me personally with exercises and techniques that would be beneficial as strength training and self defense. Also enjoyed the humor and personalization throughout the book. Well Done!

If I were a police man I’d study this and drill these techniques regularly. If your interest is in self defense or catch wrestling; then this is a one time read and the mindset is the takeaway.

Great manual, clear and specific. Techniques are useful and realistic. For people who want to use his skill of wrestling in self defense.

Easy read. Good techs but just ok

Found book to be to the point, useful and function based. It makes sense and this suits my lifestyle and work.

Unfortunately the photos in this book were lacking and did not aid the text.

Great book! it is well written in an easy to follow style. Don takes you step by step through the different moves. The added photos showing each step is a great help. As a police officer with over 20 yrs on the job I have been through many arrest & control type classes. Most were Okay, but took many hours of practice to maintain the skills to do the moves in real life situations. Don teaches a system based on simple moves that are easy to learn and, more important, easy to remember when your day is going very badly all of a sudden. Every officer knows you loose fine motor skills while under pressure, such as fighting for your life. That is why the complex control moves taught to most police officers at the academy have little real world use. That is also why many officer - suspect encounters turn into a fist fight, because the average officer can not remember these complex control/arrest moves under that type of stress. And the average officer is who this book was written for. Using the "catch" holds Don teaches, one can gain control of a suspect/attacker very quickly , and hold that control until backup arrives, without much thought. Again, a great book and well worth the small investment. An investment that just may save your life one dark night!

Simple practical and effective techniques!