What should your first reaction be when someone grabs you by the sleeve? Should you first attempt to shake off the grip or to twist the attacker’s arm? Or perhaps you should first protect yourself from the attacker’s free hand?
The best first reaction to a grab by the sleeve
Let’s say that the attacker has grabbed your right sleeve with his or her left hand. If the attacker is facing you, you should first put your free left hand on the wrist of his or her free right hand. If he or she holds a knife, you may be able to control it. As soon as you can (in a blink of an eye), reinforce your left hand’s grip on the attacker’s knife hand with your right hand and pull that knife hand down to pin it to the ground, as shown in self-defense tip #71 and self-defense tip #72. As soon as you do that, the attacker will likely let go of your sleeve and try to punch you with his or her now free left hand. Hold on to the knife hand and close in to protect yourself from punches.
If the attacker’s right hand is empty, you can move your left hand up toward the attacker’s right elbow to thwart any punches from his or her free right arm and then free yourself or subdue the attacker with any of the techniques shown in Basic Instincts of Self-Defense.
In any case keep your mouth closed and chin pressed to your sternum to minimize potential damage from the attacker’s headbutts and to cover the front of your throat. Do not let your attacker turn you so you do not face him or her and thus have no control of the situation and no defense against stabs, slashes, or punches to your exposed sides and back, and low kicks. And do not forget to kick the attacker’s shins, knee the inside and outside of his or her thighs, and the groin.
Recommended reading:
Self-Defense Tip #24 — Realistic Defenses vs. Phony Defenses: Grappling Attacks
Self-Defense Tip #26 — Realistic Defenses vs. Phony Defenses: Armed Attacks (Club, Hatchet, Blackjack, Knife, Razor)
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.
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
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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