Defensive tactics training: Roll-over to leg-lock to control

Having been an active street cop for the entire 33 years of my police career, as well as an active police trainer for 43 years, in this series I share some of the defensive tactics techniques that helped me prevail on the street. The series presents a variety of defensive tactics in a format that allows you to follow the instructions and practice the technique. Remember practice makes prepared.

The roll-over to leg-lock is a technique that I used often on the street, but I have been hesitant to show folks because it is a bit difficult to learn. It also is a hold that while tying up the suspect, to a certain extent you are tied up as well. It takes quite a bit of practice to acquire the skill. However, since I found it very effective during one-on-one physical struggles to handcuff, as well as for taking handcuffs off in a jail setting when the suspect has been resistant, I would like to share it with you now.

The time I used it most often was when I took a resistant suspect down with a double-leg takedown. If the resistant suspect landed on their back, I would roll them over leg-lock, gain compliance and handcuff. When they landed on their stomachs, I would leg-lock, gain compliance and handcuff.

Here it will be demonstrated when the suspect has landed on his back, using the suspect’s right leg for control, but it can be performed from either side.