All the while, you are pulling the baton and the subject’s arm into their center. To do this, access your baton and, using both hands, drive it down the subject’s forearm towards their elbow. This is typically easily accomplished since the subject is grabbing you already. Few bad guys start the day thinking they will soon have a baton shoved into their armpit.Īttacker Takedowns Break an attacker’s grip by applying downward pressure on their elbow joint.Ī pulling technique is used when you need to trap an attacker’s arm in order to control them and ultimately take control of them. With your other hand, grab the wrist of that same arm and drive the baton up, thereby pulling their hand down. Extend the baton and place the hard tip directly into the deepest part of the subject’s armpit. One last application of this technique is great for escorting people or even getting them to exit their vehicles when they would rather not. While it is indeed painful, it is equally as effective because of the unique area being attacked. The response from this technique is fast and profound.
Now, in the same motion, angle the tip down 45 degrees and drive the baton down into the abdomen of the attacker. To accomplish this technique, extend the baton and push the tip onto the belt line of the subject. For the bladder area, an extended baton tends to work slightly better.
RELATED STORY: Massad Ayoob – How To Escape A Rear Chokeįor the sternum, the end of the baton is placed directly in the center of the chest and the baton holder applies direct pressure into their attacker, driving them back. The discomfort caused can be intense and people rarely stay around for more. Two of the best targets for this technique are the sternum and the bladder area. This technique is very effective in cases where police officers just need to move people along and clear them away. When this is pressed firmly into specific targets on a subject, they react by moving away to escape the pain. The ends of the baton are usually a very hard material, such as steel or aluminum. All three of these additional uses can be performed even when the baton is in its collapsed state. While it can do a sufficient job at this, it is equally effective in three other categories: pushing, pulling and pinning. Using the correct technique and targeting, a baton strike has the capacity to incapacitate even large subjects. Its initial design was set around the need to strike an adversary. In general terms, the baton is classified as an impact weapon. Taking Control Once used just as a striking tool, baton tactics have evolved over time. The time it takes from grabbing the baton to complete extension can be less than two seconds in most cases, and even faster in some. In fact, most expandable batons are generally called “ASPs” regardless of the maker. There are many manufacturers of expandable batons, but one of the first and most well known is ASP. Several manufacturers offer expandable batons that come in a variety of lengths and styles to fit your everyday carry needs. Collapsing it is accomplished by simply driving the tip of the baton straight down into the ground, which forces the internal cylinders to slide back inside each other. Depending on the holster or scabbard design, it is possible to carry an expandable baton in either the collapsed or expanded position, which would be helpful if an armed citizen needed to holster an expanded baton and it was not possible or convenient to collapse it at the time. The internal sections will slide out and the baton will lock out with the inertia generated. The baton is opened by swinging it down in a forceful manner. The tip of the baton is generally solid and acts as a “power point” when used as a striking tool. The composition of the baton ranges from aluminum alloy to steel. As the baton is extended, these internal cylinders lock into each other with friction. This baton is generally built with a cylindrical outer tube that contains telescoping inner shafts. The current gold standard for batons in law enforcement is the expandable baton. Once seen as simply a striking tool, the baton has evolved into an exceptionally effective control weapon as well. As the tools have developed, so have the techniques that go with them. Ranging from simple hickory clubs and side-handle batons to modern expandable batons, these tools are an essential item in an officer’s kit. Law enforcement officers have long experienced the benefits of carrying a baton while on duty, and civilians should take note of this tool’s effectiveness at controlling an attacker.