Takedowns: Using Body Weight vs. Strength

Author: Odhinn Kohout

Locking the Attackers arm from a standing position in order to ground or prone him for arrest control has many variations. The one that I teach involves removing the strength aspect from the equation. 

 

 

 

If you attempt to force his elbow (which is the middle fulcrum of the limb) with pressure, you risk the Attacker bending his arm to relieve the pain which will counter your technique. It is a race using this approach because it will work if you can take him down faster than he can manipulate his elbow.

By starting your technique above the shoulder and forgoing the elbow entirely puts you are little risk of losing control of the takedown. The other benefits are:

·         1.You can use just your weight over the shoulder to facilitate the takedown

·         2.If your wounded or tired you do not need to use much strength

·         3.The impact for the Attacker can 2x as hard

·         4.Your impact is cushioned by landing on the attacker

·         5.He lands face down inside of a random angle

·         6..The prone position makes searching and adding restraints easier

·         7.You have created a reactionary gap for firearm transitioning if he attempts to get up

·         8.The rotator cuff of the shoulder is very weak from this position and susceptible to tearing

Watch your partners safety when you practice this as it is easy to tear each other’s shoulders when performing this tactic but…IT WORKS!

Be safe Guys