What if an attacker succeeds with a front under-the-arms bear hug?
This issue’s tip deals with an attack that can end up the same as the over-the-arms bear hug described in the self-defense tip no. 10. An attacker who grabs you in a front under-the-arms bear hug can bend you backward and push you down, trip you by hooking a leg behind your knee from outside while bending you backward, lift you up and throw you down by sweeping your legs aside with a foot, or throw you back overhead (judo uranage, wrestling suplex). To prevent the attacker from succeeding with any of these actions, you need to put at least one of your palm heels under the attacker’s eyebrow while lowering your hips. Move your hips back away from the attacker’s hips while pushing hard with your hand against the attacker’s eyebrow. This push bends the attacker’s head backward, forcing him/her to release the grip.
Initially your legs should be in a cat stance (neko-ashi dachi shown in the self-defense tip no. 9) to protect you from kicks to the groin and inner thighs. Why use your palm heels instead of stabbing your fingers into the attacker’s eyes? Because most likely you will not have enough time before the attacker buries his/her face in your chest to protect from just that defense.
Why put your palm heels under the eyebrows and not under the chin? Because the same position of the head that protect the eyes hides the attacker’s chin too. In addition, having your palms under someone’s chin gets your fingers very close to his/her teeth.
Recommended reading:
Self-Defense Tip #24 — Realistic Defenses vs. Phony Defenses: Grappling Attacks
This tip is based on the video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense. Get this video now and have all of the info — not just the crumbs! Order Now!
Self-defense tip from Thomas Kurz, co-author of Basic Instincts of Self-Defense and author of Science of Sports Training, Stretching Scientifically, and Flexibility Express.
Self-Defense Moves
To learn how your natural reactions can instantly defeat any unarmed attack, see the video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense.
Defend Against Weapons
To learn how the typical street weapons (club, knife, razor) are used by an experienced streetfighter and how to practice with them, see the video Self-Defense: Tools of Attack — Club, Hatchet, Blackjack, Knife, Straight Razor.
Mental Toughness
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