In my first technique review for self defense situations (January’s article Acting First) we took a look at the arm drag to rear naked choke as an excellent option for a self defense situation that requires some control over an immediate move toward destructive violence. I mentioned that as a multi-discipline practitioner I like to study self defense techniques that combine these arts in ways that I can maintain control of a situation as well as respond to a threat and keep myself and others safe. The element of surprise is the best of weapons in taking over in a physical confrontation and this is one of the reasons I am such a fan of developing a great arm drag.
Check out this video with the legendary Coach Billy Robinson to learn a variety of arm drag setups:
While the video above focuses on actual grappling situations, many of these are applicable to self defense. This is because so many confrontations begin with a grab, a push, or an otherwise threatening movement that requires an attacker to outstretch their arm and invade the personal space of the intended victim. This is quite logical because the intent is often to create a level of fear, assert a level of power, and attack with a mental and/or physical upper hand against an uncomfortable, afraid, or submissive victim. It is much easier to continue an attack, demand cash or valuables, or force someone to come with when an attacker has already established physical or mental dominance.
Taking Instead of Giving
This is when acting first can turn the tables in your favor. An outstretched arm, even an aggressive and strong one, is still an outstretched arm and offers a number of options to utilize quick movement and leverage to catch a potential attacker off guard and become the more dominant one involved in the confrontation at hand (whatever level of confrontation that may be). The arm drag is just one option on how to leverage an outstretched arm, and the rear naked choke is just one option of where to take it to.
The arm drag itself sets up an entire series of options from single leg takedowns, dumps, choke holds, arm locks, or strikes. In self defense situations, I like the takedowns or holds that reverse the situation, offer control and options to escalate, and either keep me fully upright or partially upright to easily be on my feet should things change due to dangers from others or the surroundings. An example of this would be putting an attacker to the ground in a controlling arm & wrist lock while suppressing his movement under a strong knee. This type of hold allows for surveying the area, a quick spring to the feet to run or deal with another individual, striking or joint disablement if needed, or maintaining control while someone calling for or receiving assistance.
Today’s technique video shows a variety of options that work very well in real world situations utilizing some of these same concepts:
The Russian
The first is a takedown that utilizes the forward movement of an attacker pushing into you. This same technique can be utilized by creating that forward movement with an arm drag counter if an attacker grabs you by the wrist and pulls you toward them. The leverage gained from the twist of the attacker’s arm is similar to what some call “the Russian” armbar and it can be applied with some distance to force the attacker to the ground (as seen in the video), or as a fully wrapped close-range standing armbar should it need to be applied with more constant force for control or completing the arm break. Depending on the level of danger, it can also be applied quickly in a snapping movement to attack the elbow right from the start and immediately disable the attacker’s arm.
At the 2 minute mark of this infamous Shinya Aoki MMA match, you can see the level of devastation that can be delivered from a fast and tight Russian armbar.
Muay Thai Takedown
The second technique in the self defense video responds to the outstretched arms from a two-handed front choke. It is a variation of a common Muay Thai takedown from the clinch. By grabbing underneath, reaching across to the opposite arm and yanking downward and inward (pulling the attacker’s elbow back toward your hip), you twist the spine of the attacker and break their balance. As the spine twists and the attacker’s structure is compromised, their head will also twist and be brought in closer to your body. This allows you to reach around their head with your free hand and grab the chin. Continuing to control the elbow, you can now pull it upward while pulling the attacker’s chin around and downward, utilizing rotational Push/Pull Theory to throw the attacker to the ground while maintaining upright control.
Striking Throw Combo
The final technique in the video uses the element of surprise to take advantage of the situation where a face-to-face confrontation gets physical and the aggressor begins to escalate with the very common hard two handed push. Many street fights begin this way from playgrounds to alleyways to bars or crowded events. By sidestepping the push, the attacker loses the balance check that your body would have allowed and this offers the opportunity to take advantage of that now somewhat uncontrolled forward movement. Just sidestep enough to get out of the way of the push, but close enough to now be perpendicular and tight to your attacker’s side (very similar positioning to the twist achieved from an arm drag, except that this time it is your own movement instead of moving your opponent). As you step to the side keep your opposite side arm inside your attackers arm and deliver a strong push upward to the chin or throat. This can be done as a full on open-handed strike and grab or in a more controlling manner depending on the situation. In a more dangerous situation a throat strike works well. As the strike or grab lifts the chin of the attacker and begins to break the opponent’s vertical spinal alignment, use your outside hand to complete that rotation by pushing into the small of your attacker’s back. This is also a moment that a leg reap can assist in the takedown as needed, like you might use in a Judo throw such as Osoto Gari. As your attacker drops, you have the options to escape or drop the knee into their ribs while taking a controlling arm or wrist lock position.
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