---
title: "How to Execute a PIT Maneuver"
description: "This chase-ending move might be one of the best-known tactical driving skills."
date: "2017-04-20"
modified: "2017-04-20"
authors:
  - name: "Josh Condon"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/josh-condon"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/video/9509/how-to-execute-a-pit-maneuver"
categories:
  - "Cars 101"
  - "News"
  - "The Garage"
  - "Watch This"
tags:
  - "Cars and Guns"
  - "HPD"
  - "Sig Sauer"
  - "Tactical Driving"
  - "Team O'Neil"
---

# How to Execute a PIT Maneuver

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/04/pit.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

In this How-To video from our upcoming [Cars & Guns adventure](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/6553/we-helped-team-oneil-and-sig-sauer-create-the-most-badass-driving-course-ever>), which we put together in partnership with [Team O'Neil Rally School](<https://teamoneil.com/>) and [Sig Sauer](<https://www.sigsauer.com/>), we show you how to execute the PIT maneuver, or Precision Immobilization Technique, aka the Pursuit Intervention Technique. Whatever you call it, it's the move you've probably seen on YouTube (or *Cops*) used by law enforcement to [spin out a car from behind during a chase](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjvBYk8_8HI>).

(And, this should be obvious, but it must be said: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Not only is it dangerous, but under certain circumstances it is legally considered use of deadly force.)

The PIT maneuver has three easy steps: match speed with the car ahead of you; make contact between the front side fender of your car and the rear side bumper of the pursued vehicle; steer through in the direction of contact. A basic familiarity with left-foot braking will help you match speed precisely, while both the contact and the steer-through should be gentle—a touch (not a jolt) of contact followed by a fluid turn of the wheel and constant pressure on the throttle. Momentum takes care of the rest.

Check out the full Cars & Guns trailer [here](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/6553/we-helped-team-oneil-and-sig-sauer-create-the-most-badass-driving-course-ever>), and come back for the grand finale tomorrow, Friday, April 21.

## Author
Josh is a former editor at *Details*, *Road & Track*, and *MSN Autos*, and has contributed about a variety of topics to publications including *The New York Times*, *Men’s Journal*, *Automobile* and *Men’s Fitness*.

### Author social links