Which of the following is an example of empty hand hard control tactics?

Empty hand hard control tactics refer to techniques that involve physical confrontation aimed at controlling or subduing an individual without the use of weapons, focusing on direct physical engagement.

The correct answer highlights blocks with hands and arms and counter strike techniques used in ground fighting. These techniques are designed to disrupt an assailant's actions while allowing the officer to maintain control over the situation. They require significant physical engagement and precision, which are essential components of hard control tactics. By employing blocks and strikes, an officer can create opportunities to subdue an aggressive individual effectively while minimizing the risk of injury to both themselves and the subject.

In contrast, joint manipulation and pressure points are often categorized as a form of control, but they do not involve the same level of physical confrontation as the techniques described in the correct answer. Joint manipulation focuses on leveraging an individual's joints to control or restrain them, which may not always include the striking elements that characterize hard control tactics. Verbal commands, while a crucial aspect of law enforcement tactics, do not involve physical interaction and thus do not qualify as hard control tactics.