ESCAPE

How to defend yourself from the worst possible attack positions in 3 simple moves (or less)
By Stefan

Vale

It can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime. Youre minding your own business when you are attacked by someone who intends to do you great bodily harm or worse. But unlike in the movies, this is the real deal and all of the special effects, acrobatics and fancy moves arent going to help you now. Youve got to react quickly and efficiently to save your life and escape from danger. Today there are a host of so-called martial arts experts with black belts and extensive resumes, peddling expensive self-defense lessons and videos that profess to know how to defend an attack. Most of their techniques require a great deal of training, practice and physical strength to properly execute, and many techniques are simply impractical for the average person. In a dangerous situation, your concentration can be broken in an instant, as you are stricken with fear. Thats why the best defensive techniques to use are the ones, which are essentially a natural reactions to a dangerous situation, using minimal effort with the least amount of steps to remember. Listed below are the top ten worst possible attack positions and the easiest most effective way to survive them using the least amount of effort. The strategy for this method can be summarized in three simple steps: 1) Prepare to react 2) Neutralize the attack 3) Escape to safety

1) Escape a handgun attack Assessing the threat and an appropriate defensive strategy: Gunshot wounds are the single most deadly threat, according to police statistics of violent crimes. If youre being robbed, in most cases, the attacker is only interested in getting your money. If you give it to them without hesitation theyll likely leave the scene without harming you. But if youre faced with an attacker who you have just cause to believe that theyre intent on doing you bodily harm you must take immediate action. A handgun is both a short and long-range weapon. You cant out run a bullet or deflect it, no matter how fast you are. At a long range, your best bet is to move quickly to immediately take cover behind a large thick surface and to escape to safety. Remember, a small quickly moving object is very hard to hit, even for the best marksman. So turn your body to the side, to create a thinner target, and run in an erratic motion to take cover. At a short range, however, you wont have this advantage. You must disarm the attacker if you ever hope to survive the attack.

Step # 1: Prepare Stare straight into the attackers eyes to prevent him from being able to predict your next move. Slowly raise your arms, at equal vertical level to the weapon, in the surrender position. Although you will appear to be giving up, this is merely a diversion to place your hands in the closest acceptable position to surprise and disarm him.

Step # 2: Neutralize Grab the attackers wrist with your opposite corresponding hand (left to right or vice versa) as you redirect the weapon away from you and simultaneously turn your body to the side, out of the direction of the barrel. If the gun discharges, you will be out of the bullets direction. Next, turn the barrel of the gun in his direction.

Step # 1: Prepare Stare straight into the attackers eyes to prevent him from being able to predict your next move. Slowly raise your arms, at equal vertical level to the weapon, in the surrender position. Although you will appear to be giving up, this is merely a diversion to place your hands in the closest acceptable position to surprise and disarm him. Step # 2: Neutralize Grab his wrist with both of your hands to maintain complete control of his attacking arm. Note: Remember, its easier to catch his wrist with two hands vs. just one.

Step # 3: Escape To disarm the attacker, point the barrel of the gun upwards to pry the weapon from his hand and then step back to create distance from the attacker. Now you are armed and in control of the situation.

Step # 3: Escape As he pushes the weapon forward towards you, reverse the momentum of counter pressure by pulling his arm off to the side, as you step to the opposite side, escaping in the open direction that has just been created to run to safety.

Note: If youre facing away from your attacker with the gun pointed at your back or head, you may use the same technique, however, raise your arms according to the estimated vertical level of the gun (felt from behind) and turn your body around quickly before performing steps 2 and 3. 2) Escape a knife stabbing attack Assessing the threat and an appropriate defensive strategy: Sharp objects, such as knives, razors, shanks, etc can inflict great bodily damage and even be deadly if you are stabbed in a vital organ or major artery, causing major bleeding. However, unless used as a throwing device, most sharp objects are essentially short-range weapons, which can be easily deflected using an average object that someone might carry normally, such as a book, umbrella or jacket. If you are able to move out of range of the sharp object and run to safety, you should do so. However, if your escape route is blocked you must neutralize the attack and create an opening for your escape. Never attempt to grab a sharp object from an attackers hand or you will risk being cut. Remember, you dont have to disarm the attacker to survive, just create enough distance to escape.

Note: If youre facing away from your attacker with a knife pointed at your throat, grab the wrist holding the knife with both hands, bite his wrist as hard as you can until he drops the weapon and releases you. Escape to safety.

3) Escape a downward weapon strike (stick or knife) Assessing the threat and an appropriate defensive strategy: A downward direct weapon attack at close range can be deadly if you are unable to deflect the weapon with an object or move out of range. Therefore, you must avoid the initial strike and create an opening to escape. Step # 1: Prepare As he raises the weapon in the air to prepare for the downward strike, step forward into closer range.

and run to safety. Remember, theres no shame in running away from an unfair fight.

Step # 2: Neutralize Quickly reach up with both hands and grab the wrist with the weapon, to control the attacking arm. Step # 3: Escape As he pushes the weapon in a downward direction, reverse the momentum of counter pressure by redirecting his arm downward and off to the side as you step to the opposite side, escaping in the opening that has been created. Run to safety. 4) Escape stand up strikes from a large attacker Assessing the threat and an appropriate defensive strategy: A physical stand up confrontation with a large attacker can be deadly especially if he is stronger, quicker and has a commanding reach advantage. Strikes can come from multiple angles; including punches, kicks, knees, elbows, head butts, etc. If youre being physically attacked by someone with a competitive fighting advantage, your best defense is to protect yourself and to create an opening to escape.

5) Escape from being surrounded by multiple attackers Assessing the threat and an appropriate defensive strategy: No matter how many flashy Hollywood martial arts movies you may have seen, unless youre being attacked by a group of severely disoriented knuckle heads, the chances of someone being able to fight off a group of three or more violent attackers is highly improbable, even for the best martial artists. Deadly strikes can come from a multitude of different angles, trapping you like a football running back under a pile of large wide receivers. So, just like a football player, the best defense from being attacked by a group of multiple attackers is to simply run evasively and dont get caught. Step # 1: Prepare Immediately assume a defensive position in a boxers fighting stance (one foot forward and one foot back to create a thinner target), with your arms up to protect your head and body. Elbows should be close to your ribs with your head tucked in and your body hunched over. In this position, your most vulnerable targets will be protected. Look at each of your attackers to assess the weakest link in the circle and be alert of all attack angles. Step # 2: Neutralize Looking in one direction, quickly lunge forward in the opposite direction towards the weakest link (attacker). Step # 3: Escape Using evasive maneuvers; push him to the side or in the direction of the rest of the group, to create a diversion and an escape route to flee to safety. Again, theres no shame in running away from an unfair fight. 6) Escape from being picked up and slammed to the ground Assessing the threat and an appropriate defensive strategy: Being lifted off of the ground and slammed to the hard pavement below can be extremely dangerous; causing broken bones, a

Step # 1: Prepare Immediately assume a defensive position in a boxers fighting stance (one foot forward and one foot back to create a thinner target), with your arms up to protect your head and body. Elbows should be close to your ribs with your head tucked in and your body hunched over. In this position, your most vulnerable targets will be protected. Step # 2: Neutralize Use lateral movement and evasive footwork. Never be a stationary target or leave yourself open for strikes. Step # 3: Escape Fight back and keep moving, while always protecting yourself. Create an opening to escape

concussion or worse. Thats why you must release yourself from the attackers grip and escape. Step # 1: Prepare Step to the side with one of his legs positioned in between your legs.

control your movement with the opposite arm and leg raised up, to protect your body. Step # 2: Neutralize Continue to move backwards by scooting your body away from him to create distance.

Step # 2: Neutralize To prevent the attacker from lifting you off of the ground, wrap one of your legs around his ankle. No matter how strong he is, he wont be able to pick you up. Because both of his arms will be already committed to holding onto you, around your waist, you are not in danger of hard strikes, unless he releases his grip thereby giving you the opportunity to escape.

Step # 3: Escape If he continues to move forward towards you, kick him back at the closest available target, to create distance. Then place your bottom leg behind you and, while protecting yourself, quickly get back to your feet as you move backwards to escape to safety.

Step # 3: Escape Position yourself in a solid stance with both feet placed in a wide Sumo squat position. Grab the back of his ankle with both of your hands and while pulling it forward sit on his leg. This will cause him to lose balance and fall to the ground hard. Quickly release his leg and run to safety. An even simpler escape technique is to strike him in the groin. Once he releases you, escape to safety. 7) Escape from being stomped on the ground Assessing the threat and an appropriate defensive strategy: An attacker who is standing over you, while youre on the ground, can use the advantage of gravity and momentum to stomp on you, creating great bodily injury. That is why you must properly defend yourself, create distance, get back to your feet and escape to safety. Step # 1: Prepare Protect your most vulnerable areas by turning your body to the side, to create a smaller target for him. Place one arm and leg on the ground to

8) Escape from the mounted position Assessing the threat and an appropriate defensive strategy: Being on the ground with an attacker sitting on top of your chest is the 2nd worst position you can be in, second only to having him sit on your back. In either position, the attacker can throw devastating strikes to your head, apply chokes, neck cranks and other bone crushing submission techniques. But with him sitting on your back it is virtually impossible for you to adequately defend yourself. That is why you should never roll over onto your stomach if you are trapped in the front mounted position or extend your arms outward leaving you vulnerable for submission joint locks. Conversely, if you are trapped on the ground with an attacker sitting on your back, it is far better for you to roll over onto your back and defend yourself in the front mounted position and plan your escape. Step # 1: Prepare Grab him around the waist with both arms and pull him down close to your body to prevent him from posturing up to strike you. Position your body so that your pelvis is directly under his pelvis. Note: This is an essential position for when you prepare to bridge your body to throw him off balance and roll him over.

Step # 2: Neutralize Hook both of his arms using your arms and hook one of his ankles with your foot. Keep his body trapped tightly, close to your body. Step # 3: Escape Raise your hips off of the ground as you bridge your body upwards, causing him to lose balance as you roll him over in the same direction as his trapped leg. He will not be able to stabilize his position to prevent himself from being rolled over. Continue to follow the momentum until youre on top. Stop the momentum by assuming a stable kneeling position. Stand up quickly and escape to safety.

replace lifting him off of the ground with grabbing his groin and twisting it in either direction. Ouch! Step # 3: Escape Either way, when he lets go of your head to agonize in excruciating pain, and he will, simply escape to safety. 10) Escape from a head lock Assessing the threat and an appropriate defensive strategy: From a standing headlock, an attacker can throw strikes to your trapped head, choke you or even throw you to the ground with great force to continue the assault. Being placed in this position against a strong attacker, it can be very difficult to pry your head out, but there are effective ways to escape.

9) Escape from the frontal choke Assessing the threat and an appropriate defensive strategy: A frontal (Guillotine) choke can severely restrict air and blood flow to your head, creating suffocation or unconsciousness within only a few seconds.

Step # 1: Prepare Stabilize the position to prevent him from throwing you to the ground by bracing against his corresponding leg (behind his knee) using your straightened arm. At the same time, hold onto his bicep with your other hand to prevent him from throwing hard punches to your trapped head. Step # 2: Neutralize Squat down under his center of gravity, as you place your arm under his crotch. Using your thigh muscles, lift him off of the ground and turn his body upside down (in mid air). Slam him to the ground on his head. If your attacker is simply too large or too heavy to perform this move, replace lifting him off of the ground with grabbing his groin and twisting it in either direction. Ouch! Step # 3: Escape Either way, when he lets go of your head to agonize in excruciating pain, escape to safety. Remember, the best defense in a combative situation is a good survival strategy. Technique is far superior to size or strength. If youre forced into a life or death situation; be smart, be brave, but most of all, stay alive!
-----------------------------------------------------------Stefan Vale is a published author, freelance writer and mixed martial arts expert. Copyright 2009 Stefan Vale

Step # 1: Prepare Step to the opposite side of the choke and wrap your arms around the attackers opposite corresponding leg to stabilize the position and prevent him from being able to arch his back to increase the pressure or roll backwards to the ground, trapping you in between his legs (the guard position), which would increase the difficulty of the escape.

Step # 2: Neutralize Squat down under his center of gravity, as you place your arm under his crotch. Using your thigh muscles, lift him off of the ground and turn his body upside down (in mid air). Slam him to the ground on his head. If your attacker is simply too large or too heavy to perform this move,