Self-Defense Tip #4
Rear under-the-arms bear hug

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.

If an attacker grabs you in a rear under-the-arms bear hug, your first concern is to protect your bottom ribs from being squashed and also to make sure that you are not lifted up. Your assailant's intent with this attack is to lift you up and then throw you down, driving your hips into the ground to break them and damage your back. The sudden grab alone can make you urinate and faint as well as break your lower ribs.

You can prevent all that with one move—pushing down with your hands on the attacker's wrists while simultaneously squatting down. You have to push his hands down on your hips so he squeezes your hip bones rather than your abdomen and floating ribs. You must simultaneously squat down because, unless you separate attackers hands, he will still be able to easily lift you. After you have spoiled your attacker's initial attack you can do a rolling throw (makikomi) as shown in the video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense, or stomp on his toes and insteps, or grab and wrench his fingers. But most important to your survival is that first basic, instinctive reaction, and Basic Instincts of Self-Defense teaches such reactions to over 55 typical attacks.

To read the next tip click here.

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