Self Defense Foundations – Escaping Headlocks from the Side and Front

Over the last few weeks we covered some quick and effective techniques for common street grabs that are likely to occur in a variety of situations and from multiple angles. Along with some conceptual analysis of grappling application in real world self defense in articles such as Checkers and Chess and Reverse Wrestling, we more specifically broke down responses to the Bear Hug grabs from front, side, and back. To round out these fundamentals, I’d like to cover some techniques for your common headlocks: The Bully and The Front Headlock.

The Schoolyard Bully

The common headlock is taken from the side. You may also hear this referred to as the “bully” or “schoolyard” headlock. Many of us have at least one grade school memory of this occurring; usually an older, larger student asserting rank and dominance over younger, smaller classmates on the playground. Of course “bullies” continue to come in all ages and sizes. For many of us, what may have been a fairly benign test in adversity or rite of passage to growing up (at least in hindsight), can become a very serious threat later in life when the intentions may be more sinister and the stakes much higher. For all of these reasons, the following video covers a great responsive technique to add to your tool belt, and perhaps to cover the basics of with any children or grandchildren. As always, Jerry’s instruction covers multiple scenarios and potential levels of danger, and focuses on leverage, technique, and position offering control and creating options.

Step-by-Step:

1. As aggressor wraps around head, immediately sit hips down for base, and grab aggressor’s controlling forearm with own outside hand
   • Tip: sitting hips down will prevent an easy hip throw or momentum based spiral to the ground in bad position, while grabbing the forearm will protect against a choke and possibly stop the aggressor from getting a fully connected grip
2. Reach own inside arm around aggressor’s back to control aggressor’s outside hip
3. Step inside leg up and directly behind the heel of aggressor’s outside leg in a blocking position
4. Pulling in and downward on aggressor’s outside hip and up and outward on aggressor’s controlling forearm, sit back onto hip of blocking leg to create rotational momentum while dropping to ground
   • Tip: keep blocking leg straight stopping aggressor from stepping back to base out, do not try to sweep or lift aggressor’s outside leg
5. As both bodies come to the ground complete the hip rotation to finish with hips out from underneath and finish with top control
   • Tip: upon completing takedown be sure to sit hips and weight down to avoid weight and momentum to travel too far over aggressor offering a reversal roll
6. If aggressor maintains a closed grip on headlock, use outside forearm to pressure down on aggressor’s neck, reinforce this frame with inside arm, and press into aggressor’s neck while posturing up to break headlock grip
7. Once aggressor’s grip is broken, slip head out while sitting back, but maintain control of aggressor’s top arm with underhook of own inside arm into shoulder control

Judo enthusiasts and practitioners will recognize this self defense application as the Valley Drop, or tani otoshi

The Front Headlock and Standing Guillotine

The wrestling style front headlock can be a dangerous position for a number of reasons: it is extremely controlling, can be used to deliver devastating knees to the face and head, restricts view of weapons or additional attackers, and can be easily slipped into a full-on guillotine choke. It is important to respond quickly and eliminate these high level dangers. I personally find this headlock to require a higher level of urgency than many standard street likely grabs.

Step-by-Step:

1. As soon as aggressor begins to wrap over for a front headlock position, step in and posture head up to not allow full downward pressure
   • Tip: if this is done quick enough and hips get fully under shoulders, this may break the headlock attempt before the position is fully established
2. Protect airway by briefly grabbing aggressor’s forearm with outside hand only and pulling down while continuing to pressure up for posture with head
   • Tip: avoid panicked response of using both hands to paw at aggressor’s controlling arm—it will not be enough if they close in a strong guillotine choke
3. Wrap inside arm around opponent establishing strong deep grip over aggressor’s outside shoulder and pull in and downward to further offset aggressor’s head control or choking potential
   • Tip: drive arm all the way over aggressor’s should so own elbow is above the shoulder and entire forearm is hooking down aggressor’s back even taking inside lat control over aggressor if possible
4. Pulling aggressor’s shoulder down will allow relief of choking pressure and the need to hold aggressor’s forearm. While continuing to posture up with head, release aggressor’s controlling forearm and use own outside hand to push aggressor’s inside hip away
5. Step inside leg around aggressor’s hip on opposite side of headlock, swinging own hips perpendicular to aggressor’s
6. Use inside leg for a quick hip & knee bump into opponent, while continuing to pull in and downward on deep shoulder control and posture head up and in to complete rotational push/pull pressure for takedown
7. If aggressor maintains headlock control, follow to ground into side control to complete escape and assess options

Image credit: http://usamartialartshq.blogspot.com/2012/05/bullyproof-mind-how-to-handle-bullies.html

Image credit: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/roo-defender-tells-of-fears-in-hall-headlock-20100523-w3y3.html

Image credit: http://legkicktko.blogspot.com/2013/08/technique-appreciation-station.html

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