How to Escape From Under Arm Front Bear Hug in Martial Arts

A bear hug is a common attack with many variations. When an attacker grabs you in a bear hug under your arms from the front, it is especially dangerous. Your ability to strike back is limited since he is too close for you to swing your arms or elbows. If the attacker manages to lift you up he can slam you to the ground and assume a dominant position. Yet there is a simple yet effective way to escape from an under arm front bear hug.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Recognize the under arm front bear hug. If an attacker steps toward you and reaches under your arms, you must react immediately. If he is able to lock his hands together, get his hips beneath yours and lift, you are in big trouble. It is imperative that you initiate your escape before the attacker lifts you up.

2. Drop your center of gravity as you sprawl your hips backward. One leg should jump back further than the other to create a wide and low base. This way the attacker must drive against a strongly planted rear leg if he continues to come forward.

3. Place both hands together under the attacker's chin. Extend your arms forcefully and push his head up and back. Your arms should be a straight line with your strongly planted rear leg. Use the entire force of your body to push on the chin. When the attacker's head snaps back it will stop his forward progress and release his bear hug.

4. Launch off of your rear leg. Now that you have stopped the attacker from coming forward, you can drive him back where he came from. Run toward him while continuing to push his chin up and straight back. Keep your center of gravity low and your arms extended. As long as his head is moving backwards, he will be moving backwards.

5. Run him into the ground. As you pick up speed the attacker will probably lose his balance and fall backwards. If he goes more than a few steps you may want to hook one of his legs and trip him. If neither one works, release your push on the attacker's chin. He will instinctively come back forward. When he does, thrust a knee into his solar plexus or groin.