Disarm From Behind

Todd Fossey of Integrative Defense Strategies presents an in-depth video lesson. How can you disarm a bad guy who is attempting an armed robbery from behind, even if he’s sticking a gun in your back?

WHEN TO DISARM AN ATTACKER

Todd believes that going for the disarm is appropriate only when you have no other options. It’s not your first self-defense choice; you should employ it when it’s your ONLY choice. And that’s why it’s important to have a level of confidence in your ability to disarm an attacker, and you gain that by training and practicing it. Watching this video is just the start.

PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

Before making a move, Todd recommends these actions:

1. 1. If the bad guy is commanding you to go to a secondary location, e.g. “Get in the car,” don’t do it. Statistically we know that fighting where you are is your best option.
2. 2. Keep your hands at weapon height. If your hands/arms are above your head, moving them will likely cause the bad guy to make a sudden move such as shooting.
3. 3. Engage the bad guy by asking him questions. He will not be expecting this and it will disrupt his OODA loop.
4. 4. Look back to confirm a) that the bad guy actually has a firearm, b) you know which hand the firearm is in, c) who is in the immediate vicinity — innocent bystanders? More bad guys? Or no one?

STEPS OF THE DISARM

1. 1. Redirect the weapon
2. 2. Counterattack
3. 3. Control the weapon
4. 4. Take the weapon away

When it’s time for you to make your move, move quickly and with a lot of force. Todd demonstrates such moves. This is a combination of firearms training, since the bad guy has a firearm (and you may also), and unarmed self-defense as you move to disarm him.

STARTING POINT

Todd covers much more material than this brief summary can include, so be sure to watch the entire video. And in turn, Todd stresses that there’s much more to this topic, including many variables, than he can cover in a single video. Consider this information a starting point.