4-34. Seven strikes can be executed using the riot baton. Two of these strikes come from the outside-arm or vertical carry. The other five strikes come from the two-hand carry.
One-Hand Forward Strike
4-35. The one-hand forward strike is a very quick and effective offensive strike. It is usually employed as a countermeasure to an attack from the front that has been blocked effectively.
4-36. Target areas can be as high as the outside upper arm, down to the outer thigh region. An effective one-hand forward strike must be aggressively quick, with the purpose of distracting, disabling, or altering behavior. Therefore, those employing this technique must be sensitive to what part of the riot baton they use to strike the individual. Strike the target with the last 2 to 4 inches of the long end for optimal results.
4-37. A one-hand forward strike may be employed in one of the following three ways. When selecting available targets, use the principles in Figure 4-4, page 4-5.
z A horizontal manner.
z A downward diagonal manner to destabilize an individual.
z A vertical manner in front of the body to clear an aggressor’s hands.
NOTE: When the one-hand forward strike is used in a vertical manner, keep the long portion straight up, not angled forward. By keeping the long portion up rather than angled forward, the chance of striking the individual in the face or head is significantly reduced. For the counterstrike to be effective, follow through with the technique when the baton makes contact with the aggressor and/or his object to destabilize the him. A pattern of movement such as a
forward shuffle, forward pivot, strong side step, or rear pivot may enhance this technique.
4-38. When using the vertical or outside-arm carry position (see Figures 4-7, page 4-9 and 4-8, page 4-10), the soldier quickly moves the riot baton across his body using the strength and power of his hips, moving from his strong side to his weak side (see Figure 4-14, page 4-16). Ending this strike leaves the riot baton positioned under the weak side armpit in preparation for the one-hand reverse strike (see Figure 4-14). When delivering this strong side strike technique (in a horizontal or downward diagonal manner), ensure that the palm is facing up. In a vertical delivery, the palm will be toward the chest rather than up. Pause following the one-hand forward strike and assess the situation. Take appropriate follow-up action, as needed. If the situation does not call for additional strikes, avoid striking again.
One-Hand Reverse Strike
4-39. The starting position for the one-hand reverse strike is under the weak side armpit (see Figure 4-14). The one-hand reverse strike is used as a follow- up strike and is quick and effective.
4-40. Target areas can be as high as the outside upper arm, down to the outer thigh region. An effective one-hand reverse strike must be aggressively quick, with the purpose of distracting, disabling, or altering behavior. Therefore, those employing this technique must be sensitive to what part of the riot baton they use to strike the individual. Strike the target with the last 2 to 4 inches of the riot baton for optimal results.
4-41. A soldier may employee a reverse strike in one of the following three ways:
z A horizontal manner.
z A downward diagonal manner to destabilize an individual. z A vertical manner.
4-42. In front of the body to clear an individual’s hands. When the one-hand reverse strike is used in a vertical manner, keep the long portion straight up, not angled forward. By keeping the long portion up rather than angled forward, the chance of striking the individual in the face or head is significantly reduced. When selecting available targets, use the principles in
Figure 4-4, page 4-5.
4-43. The one-hand reverse strike is considered a follow-up strike to the one- hand forward strike. As a follow-up strike, it is important that soldiers are taught the discipline of assessing the target. An aggressor may not require another strike, based on his condition and actions after enduring the one-hand forward strike.
WARNING
Do not execute the one-hand forward strike with the wooden or expandable riot baton in the extended position. It has been shown to cause injury to the wrist of the user.
4-44. When using the one-hand reverse strike, the solder quickly moves the straight baton across his body, using the strength and power of his hips (from weak side to strong side). When the strike is completed, the soldier’s arm will be back in the outside-arm carry position (see Figure 4-7, page 4-9). The soldier ensures that his palm is facing down when delivering the counterstrike in a horizontal or diagonal manner. This will prevent injury to the user’s wrist. In a vertical delivery, the palm will be toward the chest rather than up. Following the one-hand reverse strike, assess the situation and take appropriate follow-up action, as needed. If the situation does not call for additional strikes, the soldier should avoid striking again.
4-45. When the one-hand reverse strike is used in a vertical manner, keep the long portion straight up, not angled forward. By keeping the long portion up rather than angled forward, the chance of striking an individual in the face or head is significantly reduced. For the counterstrike to be effective, follow through with the technique when the baton makes contact with the aggressor and/or his object to destabilize him. A pattern of movement such as the forward shuffle, forward pivot, strong side step, or rear pivot may enhance this technique.
Two-Hand Strong Side Horizontal Strike
4-46. Starting from the two-hand carry position, the two-hand strong side horizontal strike can be aggressively quick. The purpose of this strike is to create distance, distract, disable, or alter behavior. Strong side horizontal strikes are quick and effective offensive strikes, usually employed as a
Forward Strike Target Assessment Reverse Strike
Figure 4-14. One-Hand Forward and Reverse Strikes
WARNING
This strike will not be executed with a 36-inch wooden or expandable riot baton in the extended position. It has been shown to cause injury to the wrist of the user.
countermeasure to close frontal attacks that have been effectively blocked. When selecting available targets, use the principles in Figure 4-4, page 4-5. 4-47. The two-hand carry position enables soldiers to use riot batons at the 24- or 36-inch length. To effectively employ this strike, use the strength and power of the hips to thrust the riot baton in a horizontal manner. Simultaneously, pull back with the weak hand as the strong hand drives the grip end toward the target, striking a rib or the abdominal region of the aggressor (see Figure 4-15, page 4-18). Following the two-hand strong side horizontal strike, assess the target before following up with another strike. An aggressor may not require another strike, based on his condition and actions after enduring the one-hand forward strike.
NOTE: A pattern of movement such as a forward shuffle or forward pivot may enhance this technique.
Two-Hand Weak Side Horizontal Strike
4-48. An effective two-hand weak side horizontal strike must be aggressively quick to create distance, distract, disable, or alter behavior. The weak side horizontal strike is a quick and effective offensive strike usually employed as a follow-up strike to the strong side horizontal strike. It is a countermeasure designed to close frontal attacks that have been effectively blocked. When selecting available targets, use the principles in Figure 4-4. Maintaining a strong defensive stance after employing a strong side horizontal strike puts the soldier in position to execute a two-hand weak side horizontal strike. 4-49. Use of the two-hand carry position enables soldiers to use riot batons at 24 or 36 inches. To effectively employ this strike, use the strength and power of the hips to thrust the riot baton in a horizontal manner. Simultaneously, pull back with the strong hand as the weak hand drives the grip forward toward the aggressor, striking a rib or the abdominal region of the target (see
Figure 4-15). Following the two-hand weak side horizontal strike, it is
important to assess the aggressor. An aggressor may not require another strike, based on his condition and actions after enduring the one-hand forward strike.
NOTE: A pattern of movement such as a forward shuffle or forward pivot may enhance this technique.
Two-Hand Front Jab
4-50. The two-hand front jab starts from the two-hand carry position (see
Figure 4-16, page 4-18). It is aggressively quick and creates distance,
distracts, disables, and/or alters behavior. Front jabs are effective offensive strikes, usually employed as a countermeasure to charging and overpowering frontal attacks. When selecting available targets, use the principles in
4-51. Use of the two-hand carry position enables soldiers to use riot batons at 24 or 36 inches. Use the strength and power of the hips to effectively employ this strike in a slightly downward or horizontal manner. Simultaneously, use both arms to shoot the long end of the riot baton straight out from the body to the target area. Immediately, pull back the riot baton to the two-hand carry position (see Figure 4-16).
4-52. Forward jabs drive the long end of the riot baton toward the aggressor, striking a rib, a hip flexor, or the abdominal region (see Figure 4-4, page 4-5). Following the two-hand front jab, it is important that soldiers assess the aggressor before following through with another strike, as the aggressor may not require another strike.
NOTE: A pattern of movement such as a forward shuffle will enhance the power of this technique.
Figure 4-15. Two-Hand, Strong Side, and Weak Side Horizontal Strikes
Two-Hand Rear Jab
4-53. Starting from the two-hand carry position, the two-hand rear jab is aggressively quick and creates distance, distracts, disables, or alters behavior. Rear jabs are quick and effective offensive strikes usually employed as a countermeasure to charging and overpowering attacks from the rear. When selecting available targets, use the principles in Figure 4-4, page 4-5.
4-54. Use of the two-hand carry position enables soldiers to employ riot batons at 24 or 36 inches. To effectively employ this strike, use the strength and power of the hips to thrust the riot baton in a slightly downward or horizontal manner. Simultaneously, turn the head to the rear to see and assess the target. Use both arms to shoot the riot baton straight back from the body to the targeted area and immediately pull back the riot baton to the two- hand carry position (see Figure 4-17).
NOTE: A pattern of movement such as a rear shuffle will enhance the power of this technique.
Two-Hand Middle Strike
4-55. The two-hand middle strike starts from the two-hand carry position. It is aggressively quick and creates distance, distracts, disables, or alters behavior. It is proven to be an effective follow-up technique to a two-hand weak or strong side block or to destabilize an individual by pushing him back and away. The two-hand middle strike is used as a two-count movement. When selecting available targets, use the principles in Figure 4-4.
4-56. To perform a two-hand middle strike (see Figure 4-18, page 4-20) the soldier does the following: