NCJ Number
57541
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE LAMB METHOD OF USING BATONS IS DEMONSTRATED IN THIS POLICE TRAINING FILM. NAMED AFTER ITS ORIGINATOR, THE LAMB METHOD COMBINES EFFECTIVE IMMOBILIZATION OF THE TARGET WITH MINIMUM POTENTIAL FOR INJURY.
Abstract
USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE AGAINST PERPETRATORS IS BECOMING A MAJOR CAUSE OF CIVIL SUITS AGAINST POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THE TRADITIONAL METHOD OF BATON USE WITH ITS TWO-HANDED APPROACH AND BLOWS TO THE SOLAR PLEXUS AND GROIN AREA AGGRAVATED THIS SITUATION SINCE IT EASILY RESULTED IN INJURY, EVEN DEATH OR PARALYSIS, TO THE ATTACKER. FURTHERMORE, IT DID NOT EFFECTIVELY PROTECT THE OFFICER. THE LAMB METHOD FEATURES A CROSS-ARM MARTIAL ARTS STANCE. IN CASE OF ATTACK, BATON-WIELDING OFFICERS TAKE A STEP BACK, PIVOT ON THE FRONT FOOT WHILE BRINGING THE BATON DOWN, AND STRIKE THE OPPONENT ON THE KNEE AND COLLAR BONE. SEVERAL MODIFICATIONS OF THE METHOD ARE DEMONSTRATED FOR USE IN ATTACKS FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, SUCH AS FROM BEHIND OR ABOVE, AND FROM VARYING NUMBERS OF OPPONENTS. BESIDE ITS LESSER CAPACITY FOR CAUSING INJURY AND ITS NONAGGRESSIVE STANDING POSITION, THE LAMB METHOD HAS TWO ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGES: IT IS EASY TO LEARN AND REQUIRES ONLY OCCASIONAL PRACTICES, AND IT IS SUITABLE FOR USE BY BOTH WOMEN AND OLDER OFFICERS. (DAG)