Unit 3 Lesson 12 Ground Control PDF

Unit 3 Defensive Tactics Techniques Lesson 12 Ground Control Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to demonstrate basic techniques to defend your- self, escape from an attack, and control a subject while on the ground. Ground fights present unique challenges to criminal jus...

Unit 3 Defensive Tactics Techniques Lesson 12 Ground Control Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to demonstrate basic techniques to defend your- self, escape from an attack, and control a subject while on the ground. Ground fights present unique challenges to criminal justice officers because of the officers’ equip- ment and the likelihood of a sudden deadly force assault. Other factors that complicate a ground fight include general fitness level, physical size, maneuverability, loss of visibility, multiple subjects, environmental conditions, and the inability to disengage immediately. Some positive features of ground fights include: The subject is close to you, allowing you to keep and maintain physical control. The subject does not have the support of a strong stance to generate power for striking. The subject is usually working against time and fearful that you may receive backup or other assistance. Some negative features of ground fights include: The subject has immediate access to all of your equipment. The ground is often a rough surface that can quickly scratch and tear the skin. Equipment can cause pain or reduce movement as you roll on the ground. The subject has easy access to your vital areas. Ground fighting is an anaerobic physical activity that will quickly tire you. A ground fight is exhaust- ing and requires tremendous bursts of energy for short periods. Stalling is a tactical method of safely controlling a suspect until you physically recover or reassess the situation, or backup arrives. The stalling techniques presented here are based on leverage, not strength. ✅ HL4312.1. Demonstrate ground control techniques Stalling techniques for ground control covered in this lesson include: guard stall full mount side control full mount stall 298 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 ✅ HL4312.2. Demonstrate ground escape techniques Ground escape techniques covered in this lesson include: ground defense position guard break defend and escape from side control bridge and roll elbow escape defend and escape from a rear mount Ground Defense Position If you are knocked to the ground and cannot immediately recover to the standing position, go to a ground defense position. While in the ground defense position, you may have the ability to access a weapon or recover to a standing position. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the application of the technique. 1. From the foundation position, tuck your chin to your chest, with your arms and hands up protecting vital areas. Your legs will be up, knees bent toward the chest, and feet slightly angled. 2. Defend by kicking the subject in the knees, shins, or other available targets. 3. Lift your hips off the ground and use your feet to rotate in a circular motion tracking the subject’s movements. 4. Follow up with the appropriate action(s). (See Figure 4-64) Guard In the guard, one person is on their back with the other person positioned between their legs. The person on their back is subject to a variety of attacks such as strikes from different angles and being choked. (See Figure 4-65) Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 299 Figure 4-64 Ground defense position Figure 4-65 Guard 300 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 Guard Stall The purpose of the guard stall is to prevent the subject from mounting you. Follow these steps for the guard stall. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the applica- tion of the technique. 1. The subject is positioned between your legs as you lie on your back. 2. If possible, cross your ankles behind the subject’s back. If you can’t cross your ankles, squeeze your legs together around the subject’s waist. 3. Pull the subject down on top of you, chest-to-chest. (See Figure 4-66) Figure 4-66 Guard stall Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 301 Guard Break This position begins with you in the subject’s guard. A strike or diversion may be necessary to complete the technique. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the application of the technique. 1. Control the subject’s hips by placing both of your palms on the subject’s torso and apply- ing downward pressure. 2. Bring your right leg up and plant that foot as close as possible to the subject’s hips while maintaining downward pressure on the subject’s hips with your palms. 3. Come to a standing position and slightly turn your left foot outward. 4. Using your left elbow/hand, simultaneously apply pressure to the subject’s inner thigh area. This should result in the subject’s legs opening. 5. Create distance between you and the subject, and follow up with the appropriate action(s). (See Figure 4-67) Figure 4-67 Guard break 302 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 Side Control The most basic of the stalling positions is side control. This hold uses leverage tactics to hold the subject down while keeping you in a strategic position to prevent the subject from accessing your weapon or attacking critical areas, such as the head or throat. To effectively execute this technique, you must minimize space between your head and the subject’s head. Follow these steps for side control. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the application of the technique. 1. The subject is on their back. 2. From the side, maintain chest-to-chest contact using your body weight to control the subject beneath you. 3. Follow up with the appropriate action(s). (See Figure 4-68) Figure 4-68 Side control A and B Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 303 Defend and Escape From Side Control When a person is controlling you from the side pressing down against you with their chest or using their arms to control your head and hips, they may prevent you from moving or escaping. It is also easy for the subject to deliver strikes and disarm you. This can be one of the worst positions to be caught in. You must be able to escape, escalate, or get to your weapon. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the application of the following technique. From the ground defense position: 1. As the subject attacks from the right side, bring your left arm across and underneath the subject’s neck. Push up, lifting the subject’s head to gain distance. 2. Place your right hand on the subject’s left hip, blocking any hip movement. Note: If the subject is striking you, you must control their arm instead of their hip. 3. Push off with one foot, force your hips up, and push out toward the opposite side. At the same time, place your right hand on the subject’s hip to control, push away, and escape. 4. If you are unable to escape, recover to the guard position. 5. Follow up with the appropriate action(s). (See Figure 4-69) Full Mount During a ground fight, a person may sit on top of another’s chest, stomach, or waist and use their body weight to hold the opponent down. This, a full mount, is considered the most dominant posi- tion in ground fighting. The person on their back is subject to a variety of attacks, such as strikes from different angles and chokeholds. The person on top can establish control, use it as a stalling technique, or deliver strikes. Follow these steps for the full mount: 1. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the application of the technique. 2. Straddle the subject using your body weight to control them. (See Figure 4-70) 304 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 Figure 4-69 Defend and escape from side control Figure 4-70 Full mount Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 305 Full Mount Stall Possibly the worst tactical position that you can find yourself in is when a subject has you on your back and is sitting on your chest. The full mount stall gives an officer an opportunity to survive a barrage of punches to the face. You will remain on the bottom, but the attacker will not be able to strike you in the face or throat. Your firearm will be out of reach covered by the subject’s legs. Follow these steps for a full mount stall. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the applica- tion of the technique. 1. The subject sits on your midsection as you lie on your back. 2. Sit up and grab the subject around the upper body with both arms. 3. Pull the subject down on top of you. 4. Move your head left or right to breathe and avoid attack. 5. From this position, you may continue to hold the subject, escalate, or disengage. (See Figure 4-71) Figure 4-71 Full mount stall 306 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 Bridge and Roll The objective of this technique is to defend and escape. Use loud, clear verbal commands through- out the application of the technique. From the supine position (lying on the back face up): 1. The subject mounts your midsection. 2. Use blocking techniques to prevent strikes or choke attempts. 3. If needed, thrust your hips up to form a bridge, forcing the subject to post and allowing you to control their arms. 4. Control the subject’s leg by placing your foot to the outside of the subject’s leg. 5. Control the subject’s arm on the same side by pulling it tight to your body. 6. Push up with your foot and drive your hips up to a bridge, thrusting the subject upward while you roll the subject onto their back. You will end up on top and between the subject’s legs (the guard position). 7. Follow up with the appropriate action(s). (See Figure 4-72) Elbow Escape This position begins with you on your back as the subject has mounted you. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the application of the technique. 1. Bridge your hips and turn your body about 45o to your left. 2. Place your left leg flat on the ground. 3. Use your left elbow to push the subject’s right knee away from you. 4. At the same time, slide your left leg under the subject’s knee as space is cleared. 5. Hook your right leg behind the subject’s right calf area. 6. Turn toward the subject and create space using the shrimping technique. 7. Escape to a standing position or place the subject in your guard. 8. Follow up with the appropriate action(s). (See Figure 4-73) Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 307 Figure 4-72 Bridge and roll 308 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 Figure 4-73 Elbow escape Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 309 Defend and Escape From a Rear Mount When you are in a ground fight, the subject may sit on top of your back and use their body weight to hold you down. In this position, you are subject to a variety of attacks and strikes to the back of the head and neck. If you have a weapon, it may be vulnerable. Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the application of the following technique. From the prone position: 1. The subject mounts your lower back and places their legs to the outside of your legs to control you. The subject holds you down with their body weight. 2. Keep your hands around your head for protection from strikes and chokes. 3. Create space between you and the subject. 4. Turn onto your back as quickly as possible. 5. Follow up with an escape from full mount (bridge and roll/elbow escape). (See Figure 4-74) Figure 4-74 Defend and escape from a rear mount 310 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2