Ground fighting and its tactical applications

pain compliance techniques, restraint and control, or even maneuvering so you can get up)? Or should you keep your opponent close to you? The question I often get from officers who go through my classes is why would anyone want to keep the opponent close and not try to get up, especially after establishing that being up is the better option.

The answer lies in the tactical applications and available opportunities. Here is an example: if facing multiple attackers, the better option may be holding your one opponent in a tight guard, drawing the personal sidearm, and placing sights on the secondary threat. Another possibility is that you are on the ground owing to injury — falling and rolling on asphalt is painful — therefore, attempting to stand up may not be possible, in which case holding your opponent down while reaching for your radio to call for back up is possibly a better option.

Addressing weapon attacks on the ground introduces a whole new array of threats. Stab defenses become extremely more challenging when one can not create distance between himself and the opponent. Control and takeaways become an issue when movement is limited. Weapon retention on the ground requires specific technique performed with precision, which is not easy to begin with, and becomes increasingly more difficult when under stress and the weight of another opponent.

One technique I usually teach my LE clients is the figure four lock from the bottom position. This technique is uncomplicated and easy to perform, even under stress, and can be performed quite comfortably while wearing a duty belt. It allows the officer to end in a control position and either maintain that position or transition to a preferred position, in which handcuffing is added to finish in a restraining position.

Ground fighting is an actuality that LE officers have to deal with. The officer must think in a tactical manner when deciding what the proper response to a ground fight should be, so he can maintain control of the fight, the suspect, and remain safe while doing so.

Tzviel (BK) Blankchtein, a defensive tactics instructor, is founder and president of Masada Tactical, and may be contacted through the company’s Web site. Readers may send him questions on topics and issues which are of interest to them. He will post some of these questions, and his answers to them, in the column.