# Michigan Troopers Train Like NFL Players > Michigan police recruits use NFL-style mental training to handle high-pressure situations. - Title: Michigan Troopers Train Like NFL Players · Valleynewslive - Summary: Michigan police recruits use NFL-style mental training to handle high-pressure situations. Michigan State Police recruits train with NFL mental techniques to… - Keywords: michigan state police, nfl, lions, trooper recruits, mental training, sleep training, sports psychology, news, local, Michigan, Troopers, Train - Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/21/how-trooper-recruits-michigan-are-training-like-nfl-players - Published: 2026-09-21T12:39:19.839+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: michigan state police, nfl, lions, trooper recruits, mental training, sleep training, sports psychology, news, local ## New mental training program Michigan State Police recruits train like nfl players for mental edge. ## Sgt. Ashley Kierpaul Sgt. Ashley Kierpaul built mental training program for trooper recruits. > i came upon sports psychology in grad school and really resonated with the idea of using psychology not to fix something, but to make you better ## Detroit Lions collaboration Kierpaul contacted detroit lions for mental training techniques. > i reached out to the detroit lions and asked if they’d share what works for them, because i imagined what’s working well for them could translate to law enforcement ## Sleep training focus Lions focus on sleep training for athletes. > what shocked me was how much they focused on sleep ## Lower attrition rate 41 of 49 recruits graduate versus traditional 25-30 percent. > we’ve had 49 recruits come through and 41 have since graduated and gone out to the road ## Mental toughness benefits Troopers handle crises with calm confidence. > their confidence is just through the roof ## What happens next Michigan police adopt mental training nationwide. > michigan state police started it a few years ago, and now departments across the country are taking notice ## Key takeaway Michigan State Police recruits train with NFL mental techniques to improve decision-making under stress.