Anti-Knife Training: Contact Defense and Control

• NCJ Number: 192988
• Journal: Law and Order Volume: 50 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2002 Pages: 56-58,60,61
• Author(s): Myrick Williams
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reviews the Contact Defense Control (CDC) Instructor Course, a three-day course designed to show officers how to respond when confronted with a knife at very close ranges.

Abstract

The course material is designed for those situations in which it is not safe or feasible to use a firearm. The CDC teaches officers to control the contact weapon-wielding subject through the safest means possible. The skills taught include controlling distance and positioning for the contact weapon relative to the officers. The course teaches how to gain a safe distance and then how to evaluate whether deadly force is necessary. The instruction emphasizes exercises and drills that reinforce the course material. The article reviews what is learned on each of the three days of instruction. Day one begins with a series of body control exercises. Next, the CDC emphasizes controlling three elements: distance, position and contact connection. After students are familiar with the methods of contact weapons, they are introduced to the first of the CDC exercises: CDC-1: Break and Clear. The CDC exercises are created in a building block fashion, and CDC-1 includes the body mechanics and actions the officer would face in a contact weapons altercation. During day two the course reviews the first day’s activities. Day two is also spent covering the remaining CDC exercises. Exercises are designed to deal with an attack at extreme close quarters. The importance of elbow control is highlighted. Day three focuses on putting all the exercises together, and requiring students to find an optimal solution for a particular problem. Students are placed in scenarios, using combinations of the angles of attack with both simulated impact and edged weapons. The course develops both operational skills and the ability to use those skills. All the students gave the course high marks and encouraged their agencies to train more personnel.