Baton Principles
List the 3 principles of baton use
1. Balance
2. Position
3. Motion
List the 5 acceptable target areas for MALE aggressors
1. Legs
2. Arms
3. Chest
4. Abdomen
5. Side of the body (rib cage)
When striking the principle target areas of the body, which general rule of baton use must an officer remember
General rule number 10
"Use only those portions of a Baton technique that are appropriate and enough to control the situation. Although each technique is taught as a sequence of movements, they do not have to be used that way. Use your own good judgement. For example, if you start a technique consisting of three counts, but your aggressor discontinues their assault at count 1 or 2, do not continue the technique. Your intention must never be to punish; it is only to control and defend. As per the Engagement and Intervention Model, you should now respond by re-assessing the situation and de-escalating your response option to verbal directions and orders.”
What type of weapon is the Baton
Impact weapon
List the areas on a FEMALE inmate that cannot be struck
1. Chest
2. Abdomen
3. Sides (rib cage)
List the 3 stances
1. On guard - Baton low
2. On guard - Baton high
3. Advancing in the on guard - Shuffle step
Explain Balance
Feet shoulder width apart
Weight equally distributed
Knees slightly bent
When moving, hips lead
On striking, good balance compensates for the physics of the strike
On Striking, feet are double shoulder width apart and knees are more deeply bent
Good balance permits proper execution of a powerful strike where power comes from upper and lower body
Good balance allows you to move in any direction easily and being more difficult to knock down
List the 3 areas that cannot be struck
1. Head
2. Neck, throat, spine
3. Groin
List the 2 carrying positions
1. Port Arms
2. Strong side
Explain Position
Proper position with the baton affords the officer time and space to react (evade, strike, block)
Baton is considered part of the officers body therefore safe distance with the baton is greater than without
Safe distance is achieved when the officer, using peripheral vision, can see the subject from head to toe, where the tip of the baton is at knee height
The baton should be positioned between the officer and aggressor
After a strike or combination of strikes, the officer should re-position themselves at safe distance
List the 2 target areas that should be considered first
Arms
Legs
Describe Port Arms
Used as the carrying position of the baton when moving from point A to point B
The baton should be against the chest and the back held straight
Explain Motion
Large circular motions generate power and create a deceptive movement that is difficult to block
Quick snap movements allow the officer to strike quickly or create distractions to set up another strike
The motion of the entire body should be behind each strike (hips and legs plus arms)
Strength is used for the actual strike motion, strength is conserved during the recovery motion
When striking the arms and legs, do not deliberately strike at the BLANK and BLANK
Elbow and knee joints
Describe Strong Side
Can be used as a carrying position when moving from point A to point B