Which technique is used for a one-handed cross-grab on the officer's holstered handgun from behind?

• A. The triangular Frame Retention and Rear Elbow Strike
• B. The triangular Frame Retention and Side Elbow Strike
• C. Fore knuckle, Thumb Tip, Finger Tip
• D. Terry v. Ohio

Answer: (B)

In close-quarters defense against a one-handed cross-grab on a holstered handgun from behind, your first objective is to establish control of the weapon and create space to break the grip. The triangular Frame Retention provides a secure, compact control of the officer’s firearm by forming a stable frame with your arm and hand around the grip area, effectively pinning the weapon and limiting the officer’s ability to draw or regrip. This keeps the weapon from being ripped away while you seek a safer position.

Pairing that with a Side Elbow Strike uses your body’s natural alignment to deliver a quick, targeted disruption to the officer’s balance and hold. From behind, striking to the side—rather than to the rear—lands more reliably and creates immediate impact to the officer’s head or neck region, causing a momentary break in control and opening to step offline or disengage. The side angle is practical in this scenario and reduces the risk of your own injury while you gain space to maneuver.

The other options don’t fit this situation as effectively. A rear elbow strike is harder to align and control from behind, making it less reliable for breaking the grip while maintaining a safe line of retreat. The purely hand-contact options describe grip points rather than a coordinated control-and-disrupt sequence. And a legal doctrine name isn’t a technique. The combined approach of frame retention with a side-elbow strike is the best fit for neutralizing the grip and creating an opportunity to escape.