Which technique describes triangular frame retention with a rear elbow strike when the subject makes a one-handed cross-grab on the handgun from the front?

• A. the triangular frame retention and FRONT elbow strike
• B. the triangular frame retention and SIDE elbow strike
• C. the triangular frame retention and CENTER elbow strike
• D. the triangular frame retention and REAR elbow strike

Answer: (D)

When faced with a one-handed cross-grab on a handgun from the front, the goal is to keep control of the weapon while creating a path to disengage. Triangular frame retention gives you a solid, compact control structure by positioning your forearms and hands to form a stable triangle around the attacker’s grip and the gun. This setup resists being pulled or twisted and helps you steer the firearm away from you, keeping your torso protectively oriented.

Pairing that with a rear elbow strike leverages the power of your body’s rotation to disrupt the attacker without breaking your hold on the weapon. Delivering the strike from behind the attacker targets their center of mass, knocks their balance off, and helps loosen their grip, creating a clear opening to step offline and disengage. The combination of maintaining weapon control (retention) while delivering a decisive counteraction (rear elbow) is what makes this approach the most effective in this scenario.

Other elbow directions don’t provide the same balance of maintaining control and creating space, so they’re less reliable in breaking the grip and enabling a safe exit.