One of the most commonly taught items within the martial arts, with direct regard to self defence methods in the main, is the front strangle attack. Sadly however it is often demonstrated as an arms length form of attack without any pushing involved, and often not even done in a ‘nose to nose’ touching way.
Those somewhat silly 'arms outstretched' strangle attack methods that are often taught, or portrayed in photos and via video demonstrations are a total myth some would say compared to the reality of it all. This is even more noticeable within some of those women's only self defence classes by the way. In reality of course the attackers arms are not going to be fully outstretched and locked somewhat rigid, with some distance involved, but with strong bent arms and, with at the very least, some body to body contact as the attacker aggressively pushes the intended victim backwards in a violent and controlling manner. In many attack situations of that nature being pushed backwards is often an instinctive action by the attacker as the intended victim will in most situations move backwards to prevent painful pressure on the throat, and in addition, to hopefully use some distance to escape. Many photos illustrating the full stretched out arms method are not only very misleading when it comes to the real thing but also dangerously ineffective if the victim is taught how to defend against this unrealistic, not used in real life that much, method of attack. In simple terms you will never be attacked like that, chances are, so all those self defence methods learned in the Dojo, Kwoon or self defence classes will have no value at all against the real thing. Or to put it another way, all those commonly demonstrated methods of self defence and escape techniques will simply not work against a far more powerful and controlling assailant using strong bent arms, and in ‘your face’ aggression. Even at beginner level this silly outstretched arm attack, that reminds me of a robot walking towards you, that some instructors still teach should be avoided at all costs to ensure that the student is made fully aware of what is really involved and how to not only use effective methods of escape but also how to keep their balance when often being pushed brutally backwards at the same time. Sadly some new students think that simple self defence methods are all about a few clever little moves and being fully able to look after themselves after only a couple of lessons, but in reality of course any form of physical conflict, at any level, is often traumatic and brutal. Therefore students need to learn this from day one. With regard to lifting the knee sharply as a defensive strike to the attacker's groin, as is also often demonstrated by some instructors in attacks of this nature, this can work to a degree - however there is a high chance of missing the target area, or failing to use enough power behind that type of striking method. Therefore there is a high risk, when it comes to keeping your balance while being pushed backwards, when only standing on one leg while trying to inflict this type of knee strike, even if it is only for a scant few moments. Using such a method may look practical but ending up falling on the floor is really not a good idea, as I am sure everyone would agree? Therefore only use that one shot method if all else fails. I hasten to add at this point that facing such an attack can not only be in a short limited space, such as being in a room for example, and therefore being held against a wall and often no place to escape to, but also in a street situation with plenty of space. Both situations to a degree would involve a different type of defence with direct regard to using defensive measures and techniques when it comes to having space available to move compared to being trapped against a wall. The first and most vital line of defence however, that should be noted at this point, is to prevent being strangled before you can react. The first course of action therefore is to try and release the grip, pressure, from around your neck. If you are able to do so then what is often called the Turtle Shell technique is needed. This simply involves tucking your chin down and raising your shoulders up to help support your neck, plus adding strong muscle tension to the neck as this offers some resistance to the force of the strangle. Doing that instinctively will often afford you a few scant seconds to come to terms with the attack and then hopefully reacting accordingly. There is no ‘one’ single method of defence against that form of attack situation so learning more than one defensive method, such as following up with other moves of defence as a backup plan, needs to be part of your instinctive reaction when facing such an intense, and often, a life threatening situation. In most situations of this nature there is rarely any noticeable body gap between the attacker and the intended victim, but for sure there is often a lot of 'body on body' contact, hence the term a ‘nose to nose’ job as I tend to call it. Or if you prefer - up close and personal. On a final note there are many who still believe that using break-release, wrist release and counter controlling methods is the best way forward, mainly within simple women's only self defence classes take note, but in reality a combination of clawing, punching and kicking is often the best way forward in many situations. Trying to break free from a strong and powerful pair of arms will often fail but throwing all sorts of strikes will often stop someone in their tracks even if for only a few moments. A simple case of throwing whatever you have available at the time and hope that will give you the chance of escape. The belief that simple self defence methods will be enough against a violent attacker is a mindset that will never work. In any life threatening situation the victims mind must become somewhat savage and brutal if they hope to survive. Now we come to the subject of the strangle attack from behind. If we are to believe what we see in the Dojo or Kwoon all you need to do is one, or more, self defence methods to break free from someone trying to strangle you from behind. In some situations that may be true, but only if you are very lucky that day. Unlike a front strangle attack being strangled from behind is all about one arm around the neck and throat. To break free from someone's strong arm around the neck and throat can be done of course but a fast reaction is often vital or you will end up in a very dangerous situation. Depending, of course, on who or what type of person you are dealing with. There are two types of attack of this nature, the first being the bully attack. Being strangled in this way can often be by someone who is trying to control and intimidate you, so hence the term, the bully. Their grip on you will in most cases be very hard with full intent to inflict pain, but not what you would call a killer pain. There is a difference, take note. The most commonly used methods of defence are of course the classic backwards elbow strike into the attacker's ribs, or maybe, a backwards heel kick aimed at the shin part of the attackers leg, or even just a simple stamp on their foot. However such strikes need to be powerful or all is somewhat lost. Many of those fancy moves that you see martial art instructors demonstrating will simply not work unless you react to the attack fast, and take them by surprise, and use as much force as you can to break free. Therefore it is more than vital to note, at this point, that if you fail to use effective force behind such methods then for sure your assailant's attack will not only become far more violent but also his grip on you will become far more powerful and near enough impossible to get out of. A good way of finding out if a back kick with the heel of the foot to his shin will work, for example, is to try doing that with force to a heavy hanging kick bag. To test this, back of the heel kick, stand close to the kick bag, with your back to it of course, and see if you can do just that with enough force from such a close short distance. Not a full on back kick but a simple heel kick to that area I hasten to add. Now we come on to the second type of attacker. Unlike the bully who in most cases will be using such a strangle hold method to control, intimidate and inflict pain upon you the second type of person will not be thinking about such things. Their only aim is to pull you backwards and in most cases get you on the floor. Being pulled or dragged backwards while having a very strong arm around your neck and throat at the same time will for sure not give you the time to do any of those self defence methods. In that type of fight for survival all you can do is hope they face you at one point so you can start punching for your very life. For a more lighthearted, (one minute read), related article on the subject of self defence click >HERE< Comments are closed.
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