Defending a low bear hug from the front. If possible, naturally you should prevent the attacker from grabbing you.
P5 Training Program
Defending a low bear hug from the front. If possible, naturally you should prevent the attacker from grabbing you.
Video transcript
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.
Notes: For adults, this subject may be considered to be tested in full at higher level (G1).
B. Defenses Against Regular (Front) Kicks
C. Defenses Against a High Roundhouse Kick
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
E. Releases from Hair Grabs or Pulls
F. Escaping Chokes on the Ground
Notes: Practice various and multiple counterattacks; end the scenario in a standing position.
G. Ground - Opponent Standing or Sitting on Top and Punching
H. Defending Against Impending Knife Threat
I. Defending Against Unexpected/Unfamiliar Attacks
L. Fighting Games, 4 Against 1
N. Simulation and Tactics – P5 - Two Attackers Against an Accompanied Defender
2. Escaping Two-Person Wrist Grabs