How to Escape a Throat Grab in Martial Arts

The throat is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body. An attacker often grabs the throat in an effort to kill or render a would-be victim unconscious. It is essential that you respond to a throat grab immediately in order to save your life. Many martial arts have techniques to combat a throat grab. These techniques usually involve attacking a small joint with your entire body. This allows the martial artist to defeat a much bigger and stronger attacker with a minimum of effort.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. React immediately. If an attacker grabs hold of your throat, it only takes a moment to squeeze and render you unconscious or worse. It is essential that you initiate your escape from a throat grab the instant the attacker touches your neck.

2. Place your hand on top of the attacker's choking hand. Do this with your hand that is on the opposite side. For example, if the attacker is choking you with his right hand, place your right hand on top of his.

3. Turn your body away from the attacker. Step back with the leg on the same side as the hand you are using to hold the attacker's hand. If your right hand is up, slide your right leg back so your feet are in line with her choking arm. As you turn your body, the attacker's hand will peel off of your neck. Hold on tight to her hand so she does not pull it away.

4. Throw your free arm over the attacker's choking arm. Make this a wide, circling motion from the back of the attacker's arm, over the top and then to the front of his arm. It is important to get your arm completely over as you turn your body away from the attacker. Bend your elbow as you come over and rotate it until it is pointed at a 90-degree angle to the choking arm. The choking hand should now be tucked tightly into your armpit.

5. Turn the attacker's wrist so her little finger is pointed up. If you have turned and thrown your arm over correctly, her hand will already be in this position. Hold the back of her hand firmly.

6. Snap your weight straight down on the attacker's wrist. Slam your elbow to your body, locking the attacker's wrist in tight. Drop your entire body down as you slide your rear leg backward. The attacker will drop to his knees or risk breaking his wrist.

Tips & Warnings

• The angle of the wrist is important. You are applying a tremendous amount of force on the attacker's wrist, going sideways. The wrist is not designed to bend that way. If the attacker's wrist is not upside down at a right angle to the ground, it will bend harmlessly forward or back.

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