Editor’s Note: This is a repost of a series of articles I wrote during the first month of this blog. I condensed the series into one article and reposted it since only about 5 people saw it when it was originally published.
Virtually all officers have received training about how to react to an edged weapon assault. A majority of the training involves disengaging, by shoving off of the suspect so you can draw your gun and fire. This is easier said than done. What happens when the attacker is much larger and stronger than you and you cannot physically push him away? You might try to push off and move yourself back to gain distance. What happens when you have no room to move? What if you are sitting in your squad car when an attacker lunges at you? What if you are in some other confined space? What will stop the attacker from stabbing and slashing you repeatedly?
The vast majority of armed attacks against police officers are up close and personal. Only the suspect knows when the attack is coming, so you are already at a major disadvantage. Just like a sucker punch, the armed assault will catch you off guard and many times distracted. This is by design, as the suspect can purposely throw off suspicion by appearing compliant at first. When the attack comes, your brain may not register that a weapon is involved. You see a punch coming and do not realize there is a knife until you are cut. Your reactions to the weapon need to be instinctual and swift, just like your reaction to a ball thrown at your face. If you have to stop and think about catching the ball, you will be hit before you decide on a course of action.
Video Of Actual Encounter
In order to survive an armed attack, you must master these three concepts:
1. Catch
2. Control
3. Neutralize
Catch
We are born with basic survival instincts which are intended to keep us alive. These reactions are unconscious acts that occur automatically. When you harness the power of your body’s natural response to a threat and combine it with a simple gross motor skills based self defense technique, your odds of coming out on top rise dramatically.
The first step to surviving an armed assault is to blend your natural flinch into a technique designed to catch the suspect’s arm that holds the weapon. It does not matter if the suspect is armed with a firearm, edged weapon or blunt instrument; if he cannot wield the weapon effectively he cannot kill you with it.
Catching the suspect’s arm is much easier than trying to catch his hand. The arm is large, so it moves much slower than the hand. There are many different ways to “catch” the suspect’s arm. I suggest you experiment with a partner holding a training knife (or rolled up magazine) and practice intercepting and catching his arm.
To learn more about the startle flinch reaction, read Tony Blauer’s article, The Universal Flinch Theory: A picture of reality.
Control
The second step to surviving an armed assault is to control the suspect’s weapon once you have caught the suspect’s weapon arm. There are some solid techniques that can make this much safer, but it is not a complicated concept. Put simply, hang on to the suspect’s weapon like your life depends upon it, because it does.
An easy exercise to develop your skills at controlling your opponent’s weapon is to have your partner hold a permanent marker and try to write on you, while you attempt to prevent him from doing it. This sounds very simple, but it will provide you with some basic skills that might save your life.
It is much easier to safely control a blunt instrument or firearm than it is to safely control an edged weapon. A suspect must be able to strike you with a blunt instrument to inflict damage. He must be able to point the firearm at you to shoot you. If you grapple over a bladed weapon, expect to be cut and prepare yourself mentally to deal with the sight of your own blood.
Neutralize
The third and final step in surviving an armed assault is to effectively neutralize your attacker. Once you have caught and controlled the attacker’s weapon, you must be able to end the attack. This will usually involve you bringing deadly force to bear on the suspect. If you are able to access your firearm, you can end the encounter by shooting the suspect. If you cannot get to your firearm, you need to have a back-up weapon available to stop the attack. Sometimes you may be forced to use the suspect’s weapon to neutralize the attacker.
It is important to practice neutralizing the attacker. When you train for this, you need to be in your uniform and have safe training weapons replacing your actual weapons. A folding training knife is an excellent tool if you normally carry a tactical folder while at work. A red gun or similar training gun is also a must for this type of training.
Arm your training partner with a safe training weapon and start from a position where you are controlling their weapon. Now practice accessing your weapons and neutralizing your opponent. Repeat this drill until you become comfortable drawing your various weapons while struggling with your training partner.
Now that you have drilled all three components for surviving an armed assault, it is time to put them all together. Work your way up to full speed assaults by concentrating on being smooth. Remember, smooth is fast!
Video Demonstrating Technique
Catch, Control, and Neutralize from Spartan Cops on Vimeo.
BLUtube is powered by PoliceOne.com
If you want a decent training knife, click here: Training Knife, Black Handle w/Black Grip Inserts, No Edge
Related posts:
- Surviving an Armed Attack: Neutralize The third and final step in surviving an armed assault...
- Surviving an Armed Attack: Catch We are born with basic survival instincts which are intended...
- Surviving an Armed Attack: Control The second step to surviving an armed assault is to...
- Surviving an Armed Attack: Catch, Control and Neutralize Virtually all officers have received training about how to react...
- Video: Surviving an Armed Attack (Catch, Control, and Neutralize) Catch, Control, and Neutralize from Spartan Cops on Vimeo....
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Matt: Thanks for the summary repost of several articles you wrote. (I did not see the originals). This was an exellent and thoughtful summary.
On the 3rd and final step of neutralize, I would only suggest that readers add empty hand deadly force skills to their personal tool box. On or off duty, with or without Belt-Tools, empty hands will always be available.
For centuries. the principles of SURPRISE, SPEED and VIOLENCE of action have been proven to be effective. Without countermeasure training, it is a terrific advantage that is difficult to overcome.
After appropriate countermeasure training, we can best TEST the skills with safe training aids, including protective combat suits, (RedMan, Monadnock, Fist Etc.), and hooded drills, (“Rebooting the OODA Loop”).
Close Quarter Battle EMPTY HAND skills in a deadly force encounter should be target focused on the priority of VISION – WIND – LIMBS, (a concept principle from Phil Messina of Modern Warrior NY), to diminish the criminal attackers abilities to kill you.
Attack the eyes with fingers/thumbs, (an attacker that cannot see is less dangerous); As a secondary target, throat/crush, (an attacker that cannot breathe is less of a threat); When the eyes and throat are guarded too well, Destroy the Limbs, (Knees, Elbows, Fingers by impact or hyper-extension).
When a weapon is involved, the principle of “Defanging the Snake” is to destroy the hand-wrist-arm holding the weapon. All of this is easier said than done. Actual motor skill training with an instructor that truly understands the above will be an asset to any law enforcement officer with a winning mind and spirit.
SEALE Academy Bedford Ohio