The Hidden Barrier in Defensive Tactics: Impostor Syndrome
- William DeMuth
- Feb 13
- 3 min read
Spend enough time on the mats and you’ll hear the standard refrains:
“This isn’t realistic.”
“That wouldn’t work on the street.”
Sometimes, the critique is valid. But more often, it isn’t about the technique it’s about insecurity. Many students harbor a quiet doubt about their physical capabilities. If they haven’t been in a real scrap, they fear the "reveal." It is far easier to criticize the curriculum than to risk looking incompetent in front of peers.
That is Impostor Syndrome, and in training, it is the elephant in the room.
Red Flags: What Insecurity Looks Like
Impostor syndrome rarely looks like fear; it looks like defiance or detachment. Watch for:
The Nitpicker: Obsessing over minor "what-if" scenarios to stall a drill.
The Wallflower: Lingering at the back of the line to minimize reps.
The Joker: Using sarcasm or humor to deflect from a lack of skill.
The Negotiator: Relying exclusively on "de-escalation" talk because they are terrified of the physical alternative.
When training exposes the gap between who the student thinks they should be and who they actually are, they get defensive. Training doesn't just build skills; it bruises egos.
The Decay of the Untrained Mind
Left unaddressed, impostor syndrome doesn't vanish it calcifies into complacency.
To protect their ego, an insecure students will eventually convince themselves the skills aren't necessary. They gravitate toward peers who dismiss training, settling for minimum standards because avoidance feels safer than exposure. This isn't just a lack of skill; it's a survival mechanism for their self-image.
The Critical Window: Early Career Influence
The first two years are the "Golden Window." This is when a student's relationship with training is forged.
Phase 1 (The Sponge): New students look to instructors for the "vibe." If they find value and confidence here, they’re hooked.
Phase 2 (The Peer Filter): After the academy, the locker room takes over. If the culture is "just get through the day," the insecure student will fold.
If an instructor hasn't helped them find a "win" early on, they will likely drift toward the complacent middle to hide their perceived inadequacies.
Culture vs. Ego: The Instructor’s Role
Students watch the instructor more than the technique. To break the "Impostor" cycle, instructors must:
Model Humility: Admit your own learning curves. If you project perfection, they’ll hide their mistakes.
Failure as a Feature: Create a space where "failing" a rep is a data point, not a humiliation.
Progression, Not Punishment: Move from simple to complex. Don't throw a novice into the deep end just to "check their oil."
The bottom line: Nobody learns while they are busy protecting their ego.
Complacency vs. Impostor Syndrome
It is vital to distinguish between the two, as they require different "cures."
Profile | The Complacent Student | The Impostor |
The Mindset | "I've been fine for 10 years." | "I hope I never have to fight." |
The Excuse | "This stuff never happens." | "I'm just not a 'mat' person." |
The Goal | To be left alone. | To not look stupid. |
The Fix | A Reality Check. | Confidence Building. |
Success Beyond the Mats
Success isn't about producing a room full of MMA champions. It’s about cultivating students who:
View training as a career-long commitment.
Maintain realistic confidence.
Choose improvement over avoidance.
Defensive tactics training isn’t just a physical requirement; it’s a psychological foundation. The officer worried about their ability isn't the problem they are the opportunity. But if we don't catch that doubt early, it turns into the kind of complacency that gets people killed.
