WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE - COMBAT PRINCIPLES FOR EXECUTIVE PROTECTION

By: Devon Taitt

The role of the protector is and has always been to prevent harm and the potential of it from affecting a protectee.

Although prevention is the primary goal, there are times where proactive, effective physical intervention may be required. This is not to be confused with arrest and control techniques used in other related security fields. Those techniques have merit, but the goal of this article is to highlight combat principles agents can apply when cover and evacuation is not an option, and the threat is imminent.

1. At All Distance Do Damage

In most self-defense communities, the phrase “manage the distance, manage the damage” is used to explain the importance of range. Although this is true for most combat and even competition environments, as a close protection professional, the proximity between you and your principal is... well, close. So that means the threat has to get in close, and you may not be afforded the luxury of having venue staff or even another close protection agent to assist in meeting that threat before they breach the protective bubble.

It’s your job to be dangerous at all ranges. While the attacker is afforded the ability to pick the distance, you dictate the level of damage due to your skills and willingness to inflict pain in an effort to protect.

We can improve our effectiveness with range by ensuring that we practice a wide variety of striking techniques during our training. For instance, elbows, webbed hands, knees, palm strikes, and even head butts are all excellent tools that can be used when it's time to mitigate a threat to our protectees physically.

Another useful training tool is Tim Larkins' Target Focused Training series. In this series, Tim Larkin breaks down effective methods of strikes to vulnerable areas of the human body that will cause damage regardless of if the person is intoxicated or under the influence of any controlled substance. Of course, it is not our goal to go around breaking limbs but enhance the exposure to resources that will ensure the safety of those we protect.

2. Every Strike Must Count

I have always admired the martial arts system Kenpo. I am not here to advocate one style over the other nor argue their effectiveness; I like how the style's whole purpose is to get in and deliver a lot of devastating strikes as quickly as possible and get out of range even quicker. This philosophy matters to us as protectors because we cannot afford to stand and trade blows with attackers. This would do more harm and expose the protectee unnecessarily. Striking plays a significant role in almost all combat sports and martial arts, not including grappling systems. How we as protectors must practice striking may differ from the average pugilist. It is great to have a solid grasp of boxing combinations and footwork, but that may not always be applicable in neutralizing an attacker that has breached the protective bubble.

How to hit and where to hit is usually understood by most. But unlike boxers, protectors cannot afford to bait an attacker with a jab while we set up for a four-piece combo. Nor can we jab someone in the nose as a warning to keep their distance. Once the decision is made to throw a strike in the defense of our protectee, it must be quick and devastating and preferably no more than one or two blows using any one of our striking tools. Once these strikes are delivered, I am not saying that the attacker will immediately hit the ground or hunch over in pain while we bask in glory. Instead, once effective strikes are executed, they should be devastating enough to cause the attacker to address the pain while we make a swift exit with our protectees safe from danger.

Be cautious of using kicks in these situations because in certain environments or depending on what you're wearing; they could end up decreasing your effectiveness and leaving you and your protectee exposed. Also, be cautious of using closed hand strikes. I am not saying they are not effective, but if improperly placed, your hand could easily be injured, thereby leaving you less effective overall at performing your duties.

During your training, be sure to incorporate focused striking both on the heavy bag and the mirror. You should visualize where strikes are landing and execute them to near perfection for many repetitions. Then gradually add speed and power. This will help make your ability to strike under pressure much more effective.

I am not saying they are not effective but if improperly placed your hand could easily be injured making you overall less effective at performing your duties.

3. There is no pain compliance

Many martial arts and combat sports systems teach a wide variety of control holds and joint manipulation techniques. These techniques have their place in training and should definitely be practiced often, but they may not be the best option when danger is imminent to your protectee. For instance, take a moment and recall the movie“Taken” starring Liam Nesson. In one of the beginning scenes, Nesson was providing protective services to a highprofile pop star. Once a threat was introduced, he attempted to evacuate but met an attacker with a knife. With a swift block and strike, Nesson was able to disarm the attacker and pin him down as another agent quickly came to take over. In this situation, Nesson did not have time to fully lock the arm and give verbal commands to the attacker to drop the knife. Nor could he afford to wait for the attacker to "tap out.” This means for us as protectors that we must be ready to do what's needed to quickly and efficiently neutralize an attacker.

Going forward, as you continue to practice your control holds and locks, think, "how could a technique like this be used if my client was attacked?" Then drill scenarios to test your thought process. Have your one or two "go-to" techniques always ready to roll to prevent over-complicated responses that could cause you to be ineffective when the time comes to execute them. And remember, you must fully execute the techniques you practice for their intended purpose.

Final Thoughts

The situation will always dictate the tactics used to solve the problem. Along with combat training, protectors should also be sure to maintain a high level of fitness and athleticism. Being in shape goes a long way when it comes to executing any kind of combative technique. Also, be mindful of the self-defense laws that govern your state or country. Once you understand how these principles line up with your personal protective detail, be sure to stay ready so that you do not have to worry when the time comes to perform.

Devon is the owner of Kingdom Risk Mitigation Services , a self-defense company based in Los Angeles California. He can be reached at Devon@KingdomAcademyTraining.com