How to Do Hapkido Bear Hug Defense

The hapkido bear hug defense allows a martial artist to escape from an attacker who is holding them in a bear hug. This is usually indicated by the attacker wrapping their arms around the martial artist just below the shoulders and squeezing. It can be done from the front or the back. The attacker does this to immobilize the arms of their victim. Since the bear hug requires superior strength, it is usually done by an attacker who is bigger. The hapkido bear hug defense is a way for a smaller and weaker person to escape.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Head butt the attacker. Hit him on the nose as hard as you can with your head. If the attacker is standing in front of you, use your forehead. If they are standing behind you, use the back of your head. The head butt will distract the attacker and start their upper body moving away from you.

2. Stomp on the attacker's foot. Do this as hard as you can, right on their toes. The stomp must happen immediately after the head butt. The attacker must not be allowed time to recover from the head butt. The foot stomp is another distraction and starts the attacker's lower body moving away from you.

3. Strike the attacker's middle. If they are standing in front of you, knee them in the groin. If they are standing behind you, step slightly to the side and elbow them in the solar plexus. Do this immediately following the stomp on the foot so that the attacker does not have time to recover. This is the third and final distraction, and creates separation between you and the attacker.

4. Get beneath the attacker's hips. This will probably be easy, since the attacker is probably bigger than you. If the attacker is standing behind you, then all you have to do is bend your knees a little. If the attacker is standing in front of you, spin around so that your back is facing the attacker. Place your feet between the attacker's feet. Your rear end should be about the same level as the middle of the attacker's thigh.

5. Grab one of the attacker's arms. Place your outside hand on the outside of the attacker's shoulder. Place your inside hand on the inside of the attacker's elbow. Grab a fistsfull of shirt if you have difficulty holding on to their body.

6. Flip the attacker. Pop your hips skyward by straightening your knees in a sudden motion. At the same time, lean forward and pull down the arm you are holding. Since you are below the attacker's center of gravity, he will fly over you. Keep pulling on the attacker's arm as they flip in the air. This will help them move over and away from your body.

7. Stomp on the attacker when they hit the ground. They will be stunned and on their back. Step on the attacker's face or chest.

Tips & Warnings

• You can seriously hurt someone with this technique. Only perform it if you are in legitimate danger. Practice it carefully and do not strike your practice partner with full force. Be sure the person you are throwing knows how to fall, and only throw them on a soft surface.

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