Expanding Your Training With The Expandable Baton

OR

Whipping Your ASP Into Shape

By Arnie Lipson

Photo One

Most of us had received our expandable baton training during the basic academy, or when the agency first issued the batons. Basic requirements involve a four hour block of instruction. What training with it have you sought out since, other than cracking open walnuts with it over the holidays? Let’s review a few basics and then touch on some more advanced ideas that the four hour course doesn’t cover.

Methods of Carry

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There are basically three methods of carry. Strong side, support side, and groin-line carry. The strong side carry, right behind the firearm is preferred by most. This is because the basic course encourages us to use a bladed FI stance to keep our weapon side away from the adversary. (More on the foolishness of that notion later.) The issue that many have with the strong side carry, is that the arm and hand tend to be in an awkward position upon drawing the baton. Sometimes it’s just too hard to draw out fast with your hand reaching back, and then drawing straight up. The support side draw or cross draw is more comfortable than the strong side draw. Your choice for deployment is either using a back-swing which opens the baton as a clearing strike, or just drawing it out and opening it after it’s being held on your right side. The main problem with the cross-draw is the fact that it is easier for the adversary to block or intercept the draw, as photo #1 illustrates. Photo #2 illustrates the ability to fend off a charge more readily with the support hand during a strong side draw. My personal favorite is the groin-line carry without the baton holster. It’s easily accessible, I can easily fend a charge with my support hand, and it leaves more room on my duty belt. It does not fall down my pant leg either, as some my think. If I want the baton prepared for immediate use, but I don’t want to tip my hand, I will conceal it under my arm as I stand ready as in Photo #3.

Photo Three

Deployment Choices

The first deployment strike is to draw first, open it, and then hold in a preparatory position, or just immediately strike. This choice is good for a situation where you want to display the baton as a show of force as you give verbal commands for compliance. If you get no compliance, you strike. The preparatory position is holding the baton tip up above or next to the shoulder. If the need to strike presents itself, you are already in a “loaded” position.

The second deployment option is the immediate open option. This avoids telegraphing the initial strike. The baton is drawn and opened ON the combatant. As the closed baton is swung, it begins to open on the way to the target. It is fully extended and locked by the time the metal meets the flesh. They never saw the length of the baton, enabling them to gauge a safe distance. Depending upon the situation, and the carry method the officer used, they may not have even seen the baton at all.

Photo Four

Closed Baton Techniques

In close quarter confrontations, a closed baton may be the best option. The butt end or end cap of the baton may be used to strike any acceptable target. (Refer to Monadnock baton chart for acceptable target choices) The closed baton is also great for joint techniques and pressure points with PASSIVE resistors. It is also great for take-downs. See Photo #4

A word About Stance and Movement

As promised, there is something to be said about the bladed stance. In a word ... WORTHLESS.

Four reasons illustrate this:

1.   It really doesn’t protect your weapon side any more than a squared up stance.
2.   You get no power swinging across your body. You need to rotate your hips forward and step
      out to get a full power swing. (Ever play baseball?) See photo #5.
3.   Squared hips and a combative ready stance vastly improves your balance and mobility if you
      are charged. (Part of the reason many fights end up on the ground) See photo #6
4.   During an edged weapon attack, the bladed stance leaves your mid-section more vulnerable
      to the back-swing. A squared stance allows you to “hollow out” you mid-section more
      effectively. It also gives you greater mobility to avoid an attack.

Photo Five Photo Six

* Feel free to visit me anytime, and I will be glad to demonstrate any of these points.

Obviously, an article alone cannot be a substitute for proper training by a qualified instructor. It serves only as a reminder that the basic techniques should be reviewed periodically, and more advanced techniques can be studied. Decide what carry technique is best for you, and practice a few swings now and then to stay current. (Blow the dust off it first) If we are going to carry any weapon, we need to be competent in it’s use.

So expand your baton training and whip your ASP into shape!