Locking the Face\ Arrest Control

Author: Odhinn  Kohout

 

 

 

I teach many versions of “FACE-LOCKS” in all my classes because Police and Military need techniques that are easy to learn and also litigation orientated as they are pain compliance based in nature.

Most pressure point tactics do not work with a violent criminal who will not cooperate but applying the face-lock causes immediate pain. To apply the facelock you must leave no space whatsoever between your hands and the attacker’s face. The lock compresses the nerve an also controls the head which could help to prevent the bad-guy from suddenly reaching for a hidden weapon.

The hand position that I have found works very well is a modified “Gable Grip” in which the bones of the thumb specifically at the first knuckle are used for purposes of the pressure point. Placement will be just under the Malar bone (cheekbone) which offers both a landmark position as well as accessing the nerve which lies under the bone of the cheek. By using the clasped hands while in the Gable-Grip the knuckle will scoop under the malar bone as you keep the attackers face tight to your chest.

There are many variations of this position in which the radial bone of your forearm in place of the thumb can also be used to apply the face-lock successfully. It also does not need to be accurately placed in terms of the cheekbone due to the fact there are many nerves which are susceptible from this position as the illustration demonstrates.

 

 

This is a very effective cell or car extraction technique and can be applied if you are working in two man teams or as by yourself. When you are teaching your students takedowns to an arrest control position the face-lock can be a technique from the ground position that you can add to append to your arm and leg-lock curriculum.

Be safe Guys…