P5 Training Program

Escaping Bear Hugs P5 -Training Syllabus

Defending a low bear hug from the front. If possible, naturally you should prevent the attacker from grabbing you.

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Defending a low bear hug from the front. If possible, naturally you should prevent the attacker from grabbing you. Here, as we learned before, we use a forearm defense to stop the attacker at the area of his clavicle, neck and trapeze muscle. At the same time, moving diagonally backwards or sideways. The back hand should start attacking towards the eyes. Then use more counterattacks as needed. This naturally belongs to the prevention and avoidance techniques.

Against a low bear hug from the front, the attacker already managed to grab you. Lean forward to stabilize yourself and send the back leg to resist the opponent push. As soon as possible, strike with the elbow downwards, towards the opponents head or neck. Striking downwards should be vertical to the target. As you stabilize yourself and push the opponent down, continue to strike as needed. You can continue an attack to other vulnerable place, such as the eyes, the low ribs and the kidneys. Especially if the attacker is continuing to push, you can turn, avoid the frontal pressure, while striking towards the opponents lower ribs, kidneys and sometimes you can even kick to the groin, especially with the shin.

The attacker managed to grab you with the low bear hug. His main intention is to lift you and probably to throw on the ground. The bear hug itself may not be dangerous, but hitting the ground may cause a devastating harm. As soon as possible, and as usually, you should bend forward a bit. At the same time, wrap one leg around the opponents leg. This will prevent him from straightening his leg and will cause difficulty for him to lift you. With the other leg, you should kick as soon as possible, a heel kick to the groin area. We call this “Uppercut kick”. The heel is directed to hit the groin on the opponent. To facilitate this you need to have your knee relatively forward. In this incident we see that the arms are caught, so while bending forward, you should just soon as possible, take at least one hand out from the grab and strike backwards, horizontally, towards the opponents head. Bending forward will create a good range for your elbow to hit the opponents head.

A relatively low bear hug from the front enables the opponent to lift you. Again, the situation is very dangerous, as throwing you to the ground may cause great harm for you. To make it more difficult for the opponent to lift you, wrap one leg around the opponent’s leg. This will prevent him from straightening his knees and thus preventing him from lifting you. With the other leg, hit a knee kick to the groin area of the opponent. This will be feasible mainly if the opponent has not straighten his knees yet. If your arms are caught, as soon as possible, take one arm out, while leaning sideways. Continue with strong strikes to the opponents head. If the attacker caught you while your arms are free, as you work with your legs you should also work with your hands. Meaning, as soon as possible, strike or push thumbs strongly into the opponents eyes. When the opponent let’s go, always be ready to balance yourself, to base yourself, so there will not be a situation that you fall directly to the ground. Land on your legs.

P5 Lecture/Theory I

A. Rolls and Break-Falls

Combination of rolls (forward/backward) and break-falls (all types)

Notes: For adults, this subject may be considered to be tested in full at higher level (G1).

B. Defenses Against Regular (Front) Kicks

Stabbing defense with back forearm
Low inside forearm defenses, with high elbow / low palm

Defenses Against Regular (Front) Kicks P5

C. Defenses Against a High Roundhouse Kick

Outside forearm defense (outside fleshy part), and simultaneous counterattack with kick
Outside forearm defense, advancing diagonally forward, kicking with the opposite leg
Using both forearms (inside fleshy part) - body turn, advance diagonally forward
1. Using both hands, outside with forearm, inside
  with palm - body moves similar to number 3

Notes: Techniques to be taught from a general ready (outlet) stance. Later practice from any passive or ready stances; attacker can kick with either leg- Variations on the above

Defenses Against a High Roundhouse Kick P5

D. Escaping Bear Hugs

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

E. Releases from Hair Grabs or Pulls

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

F. Escaping Chokes on the Ground

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

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

G. Ground - Opponent Standing or Sitting on Top and Punching

Attacker punching from a mount position - defend, counterattack, trap, bridge.
A standing opponent tries to strike – hand and body defense, counter with kicks (punch at close range).

H. Defending Against Impending Knife Threat

From the front at mid-range – with a grip on opponents wrist
Same with variations on position of the knife and attitude of attacker.

Defending Against Impending Knife Threat P5

I. Defending Against Unexpected/Unfamiliar Attacks

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

J. Returning Attacker

Following defender's technique, the attacker returns and attacks, with or without a weapon

K. Protecting a Third Party

Principles and techniques of:
1. Screening
2. Warning verbally
3. Removing 3rd party from area, front approach and turning: with pull and push with two hands;
  with grab of upper arm.
Attack the attacker - rescuer may approach the attacker from any direction
Take down with a Knee-stomp from behind – to separate attacker from victim

L. Fighting Games, 4 Against 1

Two hand strikes every two seconds
Two punching or kicking attacks every two seconds

M. Fighting Skills

Slow fighting
Light fighting with protective gear (groin protection, boxing gloves, shin pads, mouthpiece; headgear is recommended)

N. Simulation and Tactics – P5 - Two Attackers Against an Accompanied Defender

Description: Two strolling people are approached by two attackers. First, the attackers approach from the front, at the next stage, they may take a divided approach.

Simulation & Tactics 2 Attackers Against Accompanied Defender P5

P5 Lecture/Theory II

1. Breathing and Focusing

The 3 levels of breathing, separately and in full breathing
Standing with mind control
Very slow motion technique. Use a basic technique, recommended with defense and counter, moving the center of gravity (shifting of body weight)