“Realistic” Takedowns for Military/Police

Author: Odhinn Kohout

 

 

   

How do you get a bad-guy on the ground quickly where he can be safely placed in restraints?...

The question should be appended with “while wearing kit.”

Military and Police personnel have limited mobility and are usually top due to the extra weight of plates etc. This should be taken in account when you are teaching takedowns and throws so that the techniques you are teaching are applicable to real world situations and not just in the gym. A good place that I use as a jumping off point is from the “clinch” position. There are many variations to this such as “over/under” or “double under-hooks” which simply refers to the placement of your arms or those of your attackers being under the armpit or alternatively over the forearm /upper arm bicep region.

When a person is resisting arrest you (the Officer) are most lightly in a “hands on” standup scenario attempting to control/takedown the subject. The problems encountered as we have discussed are issues involving mobility and the fact that the person under arrest is difficult to control (fighting back) when you try to use an old school approach like “man handling” them or simply using brute strength. The other issue is that Officers are attracted to learning what they see on TV being used in a cage or other MMA events.

So…Why use the Clinch?

Iron Mike Tyson once said that: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Although not as tactically elegant as the teachings of Sun Tzu it is 100% accurate none the less. The use of the “clinch tie up” position will help you facilitate takedowns from standing as well as avoid the “punch to the mouth.” The clinch offers an endless array of transitional tactics from:

·         Locking/controlling both of the Attackers arms

·         Locking up one arm and controlling the Attackers head/neck with the support hand

·         Used to create a reactionary gap when pinned against a wall or furniture

·         Creates a static position good for sweeps or takedowns using the legs

·         Makes your Attacker vulnerable to single and double leg takedowns

·         And much more…

I teach the clinch for extraction techniques as well as arrest control because it offers a myriad of solutions when it times to go hands on with the bad-guy. In this day of endless litigation it also provides a “soft based” approach to tactics (camera friendly) with bystanders constantly filming law enforcement performing their duties and then uploading these videos to sites like YouTube.

Takedowns from using this clinch position are much easier and will lessen the chance of getting an injury yourself if you both hit the deck from a poorly executed throw attempt. Your takedowns need to encompass variables that are ever present each time you leave the comfort of your patrol car and they are:

1.       You are wearing a duty belt containing a pistol and other use of force options.

2.       Your vest/jacket/uniform will make fancy moves next to impossible to focus on broad gross motor skills as the basis for most control tactics.

Take some time and investigate the clinch tie up in conjunction with teaching your students takedowns and throws. They will make a great addition to your defensive tactics program