EWTO

Seminar for self-defence instructors in police special operations units

In the autumn a special seminar with Grandmaster Kernspecht was held for self-defence instructors belonging to the police special operations units of several federal German states and Austria.

The special unit in Saarland had invited Grandmaster Kernspecht and his team of instructors to introduce the WingTsun system and show how violent individuals can be controlled and overpowered while taking into account the legal constraints of reasonable force. One major emphasis was on safely closing with a violent person.

On the first day of the seminar the problem of safely approaching a violent individual was examined, using the theory and practice of the BlitzDefence programmes as a basis for a problem-solving strategy which can be implemented in law enforcement. The officers were introduced to numerous partner exercises from the first Blitzdefence programmes, which they then practiced under the watchful eyes of the highly-qualified team of instructors assisting Grandmaster Kernspecht (Dai-Sifu Andreas Groß, 6th PG WT, Dai-Sifu Oliver König, 6th PG WT, Sifu Thomas Schrön, 6th PG WT, Sifu Jörg Kilian, 5th PG WT).

On the second day these programmes were intensified, showing ways in which they can be integrated into the training and advanced training of police officers.

In a demonstration of Escrima techniques using the tonfa and baton, Oliver König showed the many uses to which these striking weapons can be put in police operations.
To conclude the seminar, a high-stress session was carried out during which the officers were able to implement what they had learned while under physical and mental stress.

The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed throughout the entire seminar. Grandmaster Kernspecht and his team were able to answer the numerous questions on various topics to the full satisfaction of all those involved. Both the participating officers and the team of instructors were highly motivated, enabling valuable knowledge to be gained during the two days of the event. No doubt the ambitious training objective was also achieved because the majority of the participants were already familiar with WingTsun, and practiced it as part of their training activities.