When should you consider using a knee strike?

A knee strike is a powerful and effective technique often used in close-quarters situations, particularly when dealing with a resistant or combative subject. This strike capitalizes on the body's natural mechanics, allowing an officer to deliver a forceful strike to the opponent's midsection or lower body to incapacitate them quickly. The close proximity required for this technique is essential, as it enhances the effectiveness and force of the strike while minimizing the risk of missing, which is more likely when attempting longer-range strikes.

Using a knee strike when the subject is resistant or combative is particularly appropriate because it can create an immediate and decisive impact, potentially gaining control over the subject. This technique is meant to deter further aggression and may also create an opportunity for securing the individual or transitioning into another control technique.

In contrast, employing a knee strike when a subject is submissive or during negotiation is not advisable, as these scenarios do not warrant the use of such a forceful tactic. Similarly, using a knee strike while trying to engage from a distance would not be effective, as the range required for success is fundamentally incompatible with the nature of the technique.

Overall, the context of a knee strike being applied in close proximity to a resistant subject underlines its effectiveness in defensive