Self-Defense Tip 24

Realistic defenses v.s. phony defenses: Grappling attacks

by Thomas Kurz, co-author of Basic Instincts of Self-Defense and author of Stretching Scientifically, Secrets of Stretching, and  Science of Sports Training.

To read the previous installment click here.

Being proficient with the method of an attack is necessary for realistic practice, and thus for acquiring effective self-defense skills. People who do not know what makes attacks work can be persuaded to practice useless “defenses” that won't work against the real thing. Phony self-defense experts show “impressive” defenses that work only against unrealistic attacks. (By realistic attack I do not mean professional or very well-practiced, just done with real intent.)

Take a simple bear hug from behind. Phonies show various “clever” releases, but all these releases work only against a bear hug that is done wrong in every respect. The attacker in such a self-defense demo attacks like a complete moron—grabs the defender just below the shoulders (where the cross section of the defender's upper body is largest, and the defender's arms are at their strongest position). In addition, the attacker does not tuck his or her head into the defender's back (to protect it from defender's head butts), does not keep his hips low for stability, and does not continue the attack that started with the bear hug (the bear hug is just a grab that leads to a takedown or a slam on the ground). On top of that, the grab itself is usually done at less than full strength.

In a realistic bear hug the attacker grabs at the level of the elbows and floating ribs—this is the narrowest part of the defender's trunk, it is easy to squeeze breath out of the defender, and the defender's arms are at their weakest position.

All sorts of grabs and chokes are applied in similarly unrealistic fashion in phony demos. The same lack of realism can be seen in popularly taught defenses against strikes and kicks. It all arises from the demonstrator's lack of fighting experience and of common sense or from disregard for the viewers. To learn realistic unarmed attacks and defenses see the video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense.

To read the next tip click here.

This article is based on the video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense.
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