If the suspect is lying on the ground after attacking and remains combative, which control is applied?

• A. The Arm Crank From Back Control
• B. Knee Control
• C. Alternating Knee Control
• D. The Hip Drill Retreat from Back Control

Answer: (B)

When a suspect is on the ground after an attack and still combative, the goal is to immobilize and control the torso and legs while keeping your hands free to secure the person. Using knee control achieves this by bringing your knee across the suspect’s midsection or hips, creating a stable pin that limits kicking and twisting. This position prevents easy movement and gives you the leverage to handcuff or otherwise restrain the suspect without needing to rely on joint manipulation or retreat maneuvers that aren’t aimed at immediate ground control.

Arm cranks from back control involve manipulating joints and can escalate risk when the subject is combative, so that isn’t appropriate in this scenario. Alternating knee control is a variation that might be used in different circumstances, but the direct, immediate stabilization you need on a grounded, resisting subject is best achieved with a single knee control to pin the torso and maintain safety. The hip drill retreat from back control focuses on repositioning rather than the primary restraint of a combative person on the ground, so it doesn’t fit the immediate need here.

So, knee control provides the quickest, most stable way to control a grounded, resisting suspect while preserving officer safety and the ability to cuff or further restrain as needed.