Self Defense Releases
Remember ethic of least harm
Give an Assertive Verbal Warning when appropriate (not a direct threat to your life)
Get in a defensive stance (bend your knees- drop your weight down)
A distraction or loosening up technique that causes pain, immobilizes or stops breathing
is usually necessary for the release to work.
Wrist Grabs- break against thumb (the weakest point of grip)
1 on 1 :
Circle arm/wrist- out against thumb. (can add a downward punch at end of
circle)
Baseball- grab trapped hand with free hand like holding a bat and yank back
Elbow Push- Step off the line “elbow to elbow”, “wipe table’ motion;
slide step behind and push away under your held arm.
2 on 1
Baseball- reach free hand over and between attackers arms and grasp your
fist; yank back
Elbow Push- same as above
2 on 2
2 Hand Circle- rotate wrists around outside and grab attackers wrists, drop
weight down- pull in and knee
Knuckle Smash Wrist Circle- move arms apart, then, swing in and up and
around bashing attackers knuckles together as you do so. (break
against thumbs) (like 1-1 wrist circle)
Hand Peel/Elbow Body- turn palms up, cross 1 hand under the other- grab
attackers thumb with your bottom hand and peel thumb and twist
wrist- use other hand to add more twist then ram their elbow into
their own ribs
Shoulder Grabs- from the side
Finger Peel and Pull- Grab a finger and pull (yank) it back- hold their wrist down with
other hand
S.I.N.G.- Solar plexus- elbow, Instep- stomp, Nose-back handed fist, Groin-hammer
fist
Outside Arm Circle- Keep arm straight and sharply circle back and around over the top
of their arm to knock their hand off.
Inside Arm Circle- 1st: Hit fist against top of forearm or elbow down against their elbow
2nd- circle your arm above their elbow and trap their arm under yours
(circle from inside to outside over the top) torque shoulder, counter attack
or put foot behind their foot to take down.
Elbow or Jacket Grab
Elbow Break- Use your arm to lock their hand against your body- then turn out (so
their arm is forced to be straight) and elbow strike to break their arm.
Face Push for jacket grab- circle your arm to twist their hand in your coat, stomp their
foot and push their face away with your free hand.
Shoulder Grab from front- pinned to a wall
Drop and Pull- grab attackers shoulders, drop straight down suddenly and pull their head
forcefully into the wall.
Pull in and Knee- Open your palms and strike upwards under the attackers elbows while
stepping backwards to pull them into your knee strike.
Reach over and Elbow- grab attackers far wrist over the top- pivot and pull down to
trap his arms- then elbow strike.
Front Choke- drop chin down, tighten neck muscles, defensive stance
Snake- weave one arm over then between attackers arms to far side, put both hands
together (pray), twist both arms back across to wrench the hold off (elbow
strike to face to follow up)
Hat Knock (Flying Wedge variation)- Lock fingers together (pray), drive arms between
their arms aiming to “knock hat off”, (ear clap follow up)
Double Arm Circle- swing both arms over and down to knock the hold off.
Hand Peel and Twist- isolate one finger and peel it back, twist their hand off and out
then use other hand to add more torque.
Front Groin Grab
Elbow Snap- bend your knees, put both of your hands behind attackers elbow and jerk,
by pulling hips in and shoulders back.
Rear Choke
Single Arm Circle- Lift one arm up and turn around as you circle your arm above
attackers elbows to lock their arms under your armpit. Counterattack strike
to follow up.
Finger Peel Arm Break- isolate one finger to pull back and peel the hold off, rotating
their palm up and stretch it over your shoulder and down. Hold arm
straight and low while you stand up sharply (you must be in defensive
stance)
Rear Muggers Hold- (tighten neck muscles and tuck chin down and to the side by their
elbow, Grab their arm and roll it down off your neck)
Finger Peel and Arm Break- same as above
Hip Throw-, step out to their elbow side, putting your foot behind theirs, swing them
around your hip and throw to ground.
Arm Bar- keep hold of their arm while ducking backwards under their arm (elbow side)
and push away or put into an arm bar. (if they use both hands –secured
hold- hit them until they grab your free arm)
Bear Hug- Rear
Leg Pull- Step out to side with a wide stance over one leg- grab as high as possible and
pull leg up to knock the attacker down.
Drop Down- (arms trapped) drop down suddenly and lift both arms up
Elbow strike- (arms trapped) step out to side with a wide stance and raise outside
elbow- use inside elbow to strike backwards.
Pivot strike(hands free)- grab groin (squeeze and twist) while pivoting out to 90* to
strike with elbow, or shift hips while pivoting- knife hand to groin
Bear Hug Front
Hip Push- distract, push away on their hips- step back lower down to knee the groin
Rear Arm bar/Hammerlock
Turn and punch down- turn toward the pinned side and punch your arm straight down
to release the hold
Unwind with wrist release- step forward turn to the same side as the arm that is pinned
to unwind the arm then do a wrist release.
Hair Pull- Front
Wrist Break- clamp attackers hand to your head, bend sharply at the waist to break
wrist.
Twist and Kick- clamp hand to your head and twist your body to hurt his wrist as you
kick
Hair Pull- Rear
Pivot and strike- Duck head down and clamp their hand to your head, while turning
toward the attacker (inside pivot) to strike the groin or kick shin
Full Nelson
Sit Down- put your arms up and sit down to slide out of hold.
Counteract throw down – lock your wrists and push up against your forehead to
counteract- then try to step out behind attackers legs and throw them back using
your elbows.
Head Lock
Knife hand to nose- raise arm that is nearer, up behind and over attackers nearest
shoulder. Put edge of your hand under attackers nose and push backwards. You
may need to knife hand to groin and block you face from the punch.
Pinned to the floor on your back
Rock and roll- don’t try to “buck” them – roll from side to side until you can throw
them off
Wrist slide – If your wrists are pinned down; quickly and forcefully slide arms to your
hips- to break the hold.