Terminology plays a crucial role in our understanding of force and how we communicate this information to others. During today’s show, I want to share some of the common terms used in force-related training and discussions. The list of terms I will cover is not exhaustive, but it will help establish a strong foundation for your training and lead to a better understanding of the Force Concepts show going forward.

When I teach training programs on force-related topics, one of the first things I cover in a structured training class- whether it be an operator class or an instructor-level course- is the terminology associated with the specific discipline. It doesn’t matter if it’s weapons-related or mindset training; the first aspect I always address is the appropriate terminology linked to that particular program.

You need to understand the terms used during the training for several reasons, but the most important one is so that you can clearly explain your use of force.

The terms covered during today’s show include:

Force – Power, physical strength, or violence exerted against a subject to overcome resistance or generate compliance. Force includes a set of verbalization skills augmented by physical alternatives.

Imminent – A threat that is ready to take place or happening soon. The threat timing is flexible and involves a timeline dependent on the circumstances rather than a fixed moment in time.

For example, a man who is standing 50 feet away from you holding a knife in a threatening manner would be an imminent stabbing threat. His use of the blade to stab you is dependent on the circumstances. He must close the distance and get within the weapon’s striking distance to deliver a stabbing strike.

Immediate – Without an interval of time (instantaneous), relating to the here and now.

For example, a man who is standing within arms reach and who is holding a knife threatening to stab you.

Deadly Force (Lethal Force) – Any application of force that IS likely to cause great bodily harm or death.

Non-Deadly Force (Non-Lethal Force) – Any application of force that is NOT likely to cause great bodily harm or death.

Less-Than-Lethal – Less than lethal is a force option that is highly unlikely to cause death or great bodily harm when properly applied.