ASP Baton Instructors at AJA Northern Regional Shiai
Sensei Jones led a team of 7 black belt instructors (collectively, 31 degrees of black belt experience) to the Towson, MD YMCA - AJA Northern Regional Shiai on June 18th, 2011, that more safely team taught ASP expandable baton for civilian self-defense applications.
These police expandable baton instructors are, from left to right:
AJA Instructor and USPIS/FLETC Arnold Smith, 4th degree black belt
AJA Instructor Ibrahim Majeed, 4th degree black belt
AJA Instructor Charles Bradshaw, 5th degree black belt
AJA and FOP/Fairfax Co. PD Instructor and MPO David Patton, AJA Sensei, 5th degree black belt
AJA and FLETC/ILEETA/FLEOA Master Police Teacher Bruce H. Jones, AJA Sensei, 7th degree black belt
AJA Instructor Brad Millick, 3rd degree black belt
AJA Instructor Luis Tsuji, 3rd degree black belt
Keibojitsu – The Art of the Police Baton
Taihojitsu is the Japanese term for the “arresting art.” It comprises the body of non-lethal techniques that Japanese police use to disarm, subdue, and/or restrain suspects. Taihojitsu has ancient roots in jujitsu and kenjitsu and has been adapted to modern conditions with principles and techniques drawn from karate, kendo, and judo, among others. Prominent among the weapons used in taihojitsu is the keibo, or short police baton. The art of using the baton is keibojitsu. Modern versions of this weapon include the extendable telescoping baton.
Instruction in taihojitsu and keibojitsu is appropriate for military, police, intelligence, undercover officers, and responsible adult civilians. Initial keibo instruction is typically conducted at slow speed – in this case about one-quarter speed – using a padded baton. Of course, all attacks and defenses are simulated and controlled, and great care should be taken to avoid injury.
When confronted with a serious developing assault scenario, try to keep the attacker well outside your defensive circle (approximately beyond arms’ length). Keep your left hand/forearm up and forward, your right (baton) hand back and away. Give repeated, assertive voice commands (Stop! Stay back! Halt!). If the attacker ignores the commands and starts to attack, use the appropriate baton technique.
For the following keibojitsu techniques, grip the baton somewhat forward, exposing the butt end for defensive “hooking” and “close-striking.” The grip primarily uses the small, ring, and middle fingers.
TECHNIQUE # 1:
When the attacker begins an open right-hand attack to high center, block inside with your left forearm and trap the attacker’s right sleeve or forearm with your left hand. Strike the attacker’s right forearm pressure point (just below the elbow) with the baton and press down and through the bend of the elbow joint to a takedown in the attacker’s right rear corner. Use equal and opposing two-way action. Turn the attacker over, pulling his right arm up and pushing it across his body. Then apply a restraining technique. We want you up and the attacker face down, quickly joint-locked, and brought under control or permitting you to safely flee the attack. The longer the violence goes on, the uglier it tends to become.
TECHNIQUE# 2: The attacker attempts a left high-center attack, like a boxer’s left jab. Step outside the attempted strike, forward and right, blocking the attacker’s forearm with a left-hand circle block. Grasp the attacker’s left wrist with your left hand. Strike his left triceps from behind with the baton, then hook the bend of his left elbow with the butt-end of the baton. Push the attacker’s hand toward his chest or face, pull down and to your right rear corner with the baton, pivoting clockwise on your left foot, for a quick controlled takedown and appropriate ground restraint.
These are robust keibo techniques that can be applied in a variety of situations. Learning the basics is not difficult, but frequent practice is needed to build them into muscle memory.
Sandan Promotions
In April, Luis Tsuji and Brad Millick were promoted to Sandan.
