Police Baton Instructions

An extendable police baton is an effective midrange self-defense weapon. They're used by the military as well as the police because of their light weight, low rate of serious injury and stopping power. Unlike mace or pepper spray, the effectiveness of a police baton hinges heavily on the ability to correctly wield it. Without proper training, you may find that your baton is not much help in a situation that requires you to defend yourself.

Instructions

    • 1

      Hold the base of the baton firmly and bring your hand down in a slashing motion. This will extend the baton.

    • 2

      Grip the base of the baton by wrapping your thumb around it to meet your other fingers. This grip provides maximum insurance against losing the baton as you strike.

    • 3

      Relax your wrist and elbow. A bit of flexibility in your joints will contribute to the maximum speed of the baton.

    • 4

      Slash the baton from left to right or from top to bottom with as much force as you can muster. Aim for a point beyond your subject and try to land the blow with the tip of the baton. For example, if you swing at an opponent's head from left to right, you should aim for a spot to the right of his head. The baton and head meet along the path of that arc.

    • 5

      Aim for exposed, bony areas on your subject. Batons are effective no matter where they strike, but a solid hit to the knee, wrist, elbow or head can be enough to disable your attacker.

    • 6

      Close the baton by tapping it lightly, twisting it, pushing it in and repeating. Batons can be difficult to close because they're designed to keep from accidentally collapsing.