Defending Against Frontal Grabs

Frontal Grab: One Hand

What do you do if someone grabs you by the neckline of your shirt with one hand and starts to punch you with the other? We will assume that he/she is right handed for instructional purposes ok?

You are standing in a normal relaxed frontal posture and a guy reaches out and grabs a bunch of your shirt with his left hand, while drawing back his right hand to punch you.

1. You immediately "trap" his grabbing hand (shirt and all), clutching it firmly against your chest with both hands.

2. Next, step back slightly with your left leg which extends his grabbing arm, (this gets your face out of reach BTW), and at the same moment your left leg touches the ground, you twist your upper body toward the left and "look" down and to your left. The attacker's left arm is now stretched completely out and his elbow is either facing you or facing straight up. (you can now release your right hand and swing it in a counter-clockwise motion over the top of the attacker's grabbing arm and easily peel him off. Run away and it's over!

3. You now also have the option of twisting further toward your left and torque the attackers left wrist, elbow and shoulder (locking the joints). In this position, as above, your attacker finds him/her self even further extended and off balance. You can now simply raise your right elbow, (with the hands still clutching his "tightly" against your chest), and place it against the back of the attacker's extended left arm, and as above, "torque left" a bit which causes your elbow to injure or break the elbow of the grabbing arm, or more commonly, they'll usually just pancake face first into the ground. The attacker can be easily finished with a variety of kicks or grappling submissions, (but for our purposes), left on the ground as you beat a hasty retreat!

This is a "no-brainer", and a free technique (you're usually charged $$ for this info) that will never let you down...never! Don't think it's that easy? Print this out and get a partner and take turns practicing this. Do exactly what is presented and watch what is happening throughout. It will reveal any answers to questions you may have as you read this. Enjoy and play safely!

Frontal Two Handed Grab:

There are a couple of two hand grabs one might encounter most of the time. Here are a few pointers on how you might approach your defense strategy.

You are confronted (anywhere) by an angry person, the person reaches for your shirt, sweater or jacket lapels and grabs you with both hands.

1. If the attacker's arms are held straight or close to straight, you can, simply throw either your right or left arm in a backward to forward, circular, windmill fashion over the tops of their wrists while stepping slightly forward at a 45 degree angle with the same leg as the arm you are using, to wipe the attacker's hands off your body with ease. 2. Another good one is to step slightly forward and slap up underneath the extended elbows of the grabbing arms sharply with the palms of the hands, (this takes better timing but is very painful if done properly), and easily breaks the hold. 3. If it's inevitable that you're going to make a fight of it, step forward slightly with your hands rising from your sides, into a "praying hands" position beneath the attackers arms and drive up through arms which easily breaks the grab This also sends his/her hands flying away from his/her body, while your are poised in front of their face, on the inside track, ready to launch a variety of punches, jabs, pokes to their nose, eyes, throat and face, instantly.

Another variation, would be when grabbed with bent elbows, in a more powerful posture for holding, and/or grappling with you. He/she is now at a disadvantage, having committed both of his/her "upper" striking weapons to the grab. You on the other hand, are unencumbered and free to use hands and feet freely.

1. Since the elbows are now bent and your attacker is much closer to you, many times it simply takes a slight pivot on the "balls of the feet" to the right or left. Using the opposite arm, in contrast to the direction of your pivot, you will be able to drive a punch, finger or knuckle directly into the nose, face, eyes, or throat of the attacker. (Pivot left = right arm/hand strikes), (Pivot right = left arm/hand strikes) 2. Another, same as above, except "step" slightly deeper, (instead of pivoting), and drive the elbow into the face or temple of the attacker's head. 3. Step directly forward, slightly, and punch your attacker in the nose, eyes or throat over the top of his/her grabbing hands.

Practice these techniques slowly and carefully before using them in an actual situation!

It is best in all self defense techniques, to use only enough force to thwart your attacker!

These tips are for self defense purposes only, and are NOT shared to intentionally hurt, maim or kill!

Practice with an interested friend before trying these techniques in combat, go slowly and build up speed over time!

Be careful that you start repetitions slowly, before increasing the speed, and use every precaution to protect yourself and your training partner!

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