Self-Defense Tip 4 Rear Under-the-Arms Bear Hug

What is the assailant’s intent with a rear under-the-arms bear hug

If an attacker grabs you in a rear under-the-arms bear hug, your first concern is to protect your bottom ribs from being squashed and also to make sure that you are not lifted up. Your assailant’s intent with this attack is to lift you up and then throw you down, driving your hips into the ground to break them and damage your back. The sudden grab alone can make you urinate and faint as well as break your lower ribs.

You can prevent all that with one move — pushing down with your hands on the attacker’s wrists while simultaneously squatting down. You have to push his hands down on your hips so he squeezes your hip bones rather than your abdomen and floating ribs. You must simultaneously squat down because, unless you separate attackers hands, he will still be able to easily lift you. After you have spoiled your attacker’s initial attack you can do a rolling throw (makikomi) as shown in the video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense, or stomp on his toes and insteps, or grab and wrench his fingers. But most important to your survival is that first basic, instinctive reaction, and Basic Instincts of Self-Defense teaches such reactions to over 55 typical attacks.

Rear under-the-arms bear hug

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 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.

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Self-Defense Moves

Basic Instincts of Self-Defense - Defenses Against Unarmed Attacks DVD

For your defense moves to work under stress they must be based on your natural, instinctive reactions, require little strength and limited range of motion, and be proven in fighting experience.

To learn how your natural reactions can instantly defeat any unarmed attack, see the video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense.

Defend Against Weapons

Self-Defense: Tools of Attack DVD

To defend against weapons you have to know how they are used. Also — every stick has two ends … the weapon of attack may become a weapon of defense in your hand …

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

Gold Medal Mental Workout - One CD, PDF Book, & mp3/iPod Recordings

Staying cool under pressure is more important for self-defense than being physically fit and technically skilled. If you can’t control your mind what can you control?

To learn mental techniques that let you calmly face any threat and act rationally in the heat of a fight, click here.

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