Choke / Grab Releases

Choke/Grab Releases: Introduction - A Word From Eyal...

We are now dealing in this sector with releases from different grabs. One needs to understand that some of the grabs are dangerous grabs, like chokes …

Video transcript

Shalom. We are now dealing in this sector with releases from different grabs. One needs to understand that some of the grabs are dangerous grabs, like chokes, headlocks. Some of the grabs are non-dangerous, such as wrist grabs, shirt grabs, even a hair grab. But then, the situation may be dangerous. So maybe just a wrist grab or a shirt grab, but maybe the attacker also wants to strike or is pushing you, moving you, takes you down, brings you into a strike. So how to deal with these sort of problems is in this sector. So the releases, the appropriate solution for a specific problem. Remember, if you do too much, you may be in jail. You make too little, you may get hurt. So always need to do the correct decision and to execute the appropriate solution. Train well. Invest your time. All the best. Train safe.

Defending Against Front Chokes

  1. Timeline (Distance; see Section R: "Simulation and Tactics")
    • Avoidance -- move away
    • De-escalating -- verbal
    • Preventing I (don't get grabbed) - kick and/or punch
    • Preventing II (don't get grabbed) - defenses 1.1 Preventing III (don't get grabbed) - educational block
  2. Release; pluck with 2 hooked palms and counterattack with knee/shin and/or punches
    2.1 Variation -- pluck with one hand; simultaneous counter with the other

Releases While the on Ground

  1. Release from a front choke; assailant kneeling by the defender's side - pluck, push and insert knee; push and kick

Returning Attacker (defend -- attack -- defend)

  1. Following the defender's initial defense (a choke release; 360 defenses) and counter-attack, the opponent is still able to return and attack again, launch a circular attack (360)

Simulation and Tactics

  1. Timeline (Distance) -- against an attacker attempting a front choke. See above.

Choke Releases (including Distance Timeline)

 

  1. Vs. a choke from the side - pluck and counterattack
  2. Vs. a choke from the rear - pluck with a step diagonally backward
  3. Vs. a choke from the rear - one / two-hand pluck, turn & attack; or executing a wrist lock.

Note: When lack of force, use two hands to remove one of attacker's chocking hand.

Choke Releases While on the Ground

  1. Attacker sitting on the defender - pluck and bridge - one hand remains holding
  2. Attacker between the legs of the defender – pluck with one hand and insert knee

Returning Attacker (defend -- attack -- defend)

  1. Following the defender's initial defense (a choke release; defenses against circular or straight strikes) and counter-attack, the opponent is able to proceed and launch straight strikes or other relevant attacks

Releases

  1. Against different grabs, with the element of surprise

Escaping Headlocks (Distance Timeline)

  1. Side headlock
    1. Distance Timeline – de-escalation, prevention, preemptive attack, avoid and escape
    2. Attack to the groin; pull/push a sensitive point on the opponent's head.
  2. Headlock from the rear:
    1. Arm-bar to the front of throat (windpipe)
    2. Pressure on the carotid artery
  3. Low headlock from the front (guillotine)

Escaping Side Headlocks on the Ground

  1. When both hands are under - pull sensitive points with both hands; roll sideways
  2. When one hand is free - pull back sensitive point and wrap one leg around neck
  3. When low attacker - Climb onto attacker; counter-attack

Simulation and Tactics – P3 (Timeline from/on the Ground)

  1. Picnic simulation: timeline from a sitting position - against a choke; against a strike

Releases from Chokes

  1. Choke from the front - body turn and upper arm release (wiping face)
  2. Choke from behind- body turn and upper arm release (brought to temple)
  3. Against a Hand Covering Mouth - defender's is caught from behind

Note: Techniques nos. 1 and 2 above are especially effective when assailant is pushing.

Releases from Bear Hugs - Arms Free

  1. Release from bear hug from the front – Push to nose or eyes.
  2. Release from bear hug from behind:
    1. Elbow strikes to head
    2. With lock on finger

Releases from Bear Hugs - Arms Caught

  1. Release from bear hug from the front – counterattack and take hand out.
  2. Release from bear hug from behind - counterattack and take hand out.
    1. When bear hug is high, counter & escape under arms.

Notes: Train on the use of a shout and a bite against a bear hug from the front.

Releases from Bear Hugs from the Side - Variations on the Above Sections

  1. Release from bear hugs whether arm/s caught or free – attacker grabs from the side. Use learnt techniques and principles

Dealing with Attempts to Grab and with Dangerous Arm / Wrist Grabs

  1. Prevention: removing the target; defending the target
  2. Attacker grabs and pulls/drags – advance and apply relevant counter attacks
  3. Attacker grabs and attacks with strikes or other ways – relevant defenses and counterattacks

Releases from Various Hand / Wrist Grabs

  1. One hand grabbing one hand (low), diagonally or across - Low hold (underhand)
  2. One hand grabbing one hand (high), diagonally or across - High hold (overhand)
  3. Two hands grabbing one hand, low or high holds - two kinds of assistance:
    1. Assist by grabbing fist of caught hand
    2. Assist by removing one grabbing hand
  4. Two hands grabbing two hands, low or high hold
  5. Two hands grabbing two hands, from behind
  6. Release from a strong handshake

Note: Be familiar with the application of the principles: axis and leverage (not pulling); escaping by way of an opening or towards the thumb; circular movements; and using the other hand for assistance.

Simulation and Tactics – P4 – Two attackers approaching from different directions

  1. 2 Vs. 1 - Bear Hug (later a Headlock) from Behind and a Second Attack from the Front Description: A trap made by two attackers. One approaches from behind, the other from the front.

Escaping Bear Hugs

  1. Low bear hug from the front, arms are free - get good base and counterattack (elbow strikes, hooks, and / or kick to the groin)
  2. Lifted in a bear hug from the rear, arms free / trapped - wrap one leg and counter
  3. Lifted in a bear hug from the front, arms free / trapped - wrap one leg and counter

Releases from Hair Grabs or Pulls

  1. Prevention – according to the regular timeline
  2. One-handed hair grab from the front - bend forward, apply leverage on wrist
  3. Pulled forward and down - burst forward, block knee or punch; first counter to the groin
  4. Pulled from the side - burst forward in the direction of the pull, defend and counterattack
  5. Pulled from behind – spin back in the direction of the pull, defend and counterattack

Escaping Chokes on the Ground

  1. Attacker sitting on the defender - applying a very close, low choke
  2. Attacker sitting on the defender - choking with straight elbows

Notes: Practice various and multiple counterattacks; end the scenario in a standing position.

Defending Against Unexpected/Unfamiliar Attacks

  1. Escaping all types of grabs, chokes, bear hugs, headlocks, etc., from all angles and in multiple variations
  2. Same as no. 1 above - with the elements of surprise and stress
  3. Defending against varieties of punches and kicks, coming from different angles and aimed at various targets; starting from several different stances.

Escaping Two-Person Wrist Grabs

  1. When possible, use leverage by circling and lowering elbows
  2. Kick one attacker then the other - with one or both legs
  3. When a third, dangerous attacker approaches - kick this attacker first

Escaping Full Nelsons

  1. Prevention – grab opposite hand and counterattack
  2. Scraping and creating leverage on fingers.

Releases From Wrist Grabs While on the Ground
(attacker has mounted the defender)

  1. Slide /circle one hand, throw with hip, roll and counterattack.
  2. Grab one hand overhead, bridge and roll to the grabbed side.

Escaping from Headlocks and Chokes While on the Ground

  1. Escape from choke (or head slam) while attacker is sitting on defender (face-down)
    1. Use a pluck and turn.
    2. Use the upper arm and turn.
  2. Escaping a headlock from behind - (starting from a sitting position) - free a leg and turn.
  3. Escaping a headlock from behind while attacker is sitting on defender (face-down).

Dealing with a Continuing Attacker – Whilst releasing from previously learnt Chokes and/or Headlocks

  1. Attacker launches a second attack (as a grab, strike or kick) during the counteraction that the defender is doing against the first one.

Defense Against One-Handed Shirt Grabs

  1. Prevention
  2. Strong attacks with hands and/or legs – if required in a dangerous situation.
  3. Retreat and rotate using the upper arm.
  4. Retreat and rotate using the upper arm (as in no. 3) followed by leverage on the attacker's elbow. Done when no. 3 has failed.
  5. Defense against a one-handed shirt grab or pull from the rear - defender steps and turns, lifting his arm to his ear.

Escaping From Two-Handed Shirt Grabs

  1. Prevention
  2. Step back, insert opposite elbow – if dangerous situation follow with counterattacks
  3. With leverage on the attacker's wrist and/or elbow (step back and return with leverage).

Escaping Full Nelson

  1. Prevention – grab opposite hand and counterattack
  2. Scraping and creating leverage on finger(s).

Escaping a One-Handed Shirt Grab

  • Use of leverage on the thumb – on the first and second joint.

 Escaping Holds in a Sitting Position(using previous principles and techniques)

  1. Methods for getting up from a chair – in place, forward, sideways, backward.
  2. Falling backward from a chair
  3. Escaping from chokes; four directions
  4. Escaping a headlock from behind

Overcoming Disorientation Caused by an Attack (groggy)
Problem: Defender suffering pain and/or concussion resulting in inability to breath or function, the defender's tendency is to remain in standup fighting.
Solution: Fall sideways, softly to the ground, with legs toward the opponent, counterattack.
Advantage: Taking the initiative recuperates; improving position.
Disadvantage: against more than one attacker; problematic terrain

Escaping Various Grabs and Holds (Defender Throws Attacker)

  1. Escaping a pushing bear hug from behind, arms free.
  2. Escaping a pushing bear hug from behind, arms trapped.
  3. Escaping a pushing, low bear hug from the front, arms free - roll backward.
  4. Escaping a headlock from the side - attacker takes down – spinning inward.
  5. Escaping a headlock from the side - attacker puts leverage on the neck – backward.
  6. Escaping an arm bar with arm bent backward - bend, send opposite leg backward.

Note: In techniques 1-3, the attacker has slammed into the defender.

Mental Training and Visualization

  1. Focus and concentrate on a point (min of 10 minutes, distance 2.5 - 3 mtrs.)
  2. From defeat to success -- visualizing a self-defense/fighting situation. In 5-6 steps, progress from defeat to a winning outcome.

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