Self Defense against a 6'4' Attacker

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One of the most common ways most people fight is with the one arm lapel grab, which basically just means someone coming, grabbing you by the shirt, and punching you nonstop.

Another unorthodox way is an attacker coming at you throwing wild punches randomly, with a lot of force behind them. Both manners are unexpected and happen quickly, you don't know what your attacker could be thinking or how he will react. You should be aware of everything and anything, in this case.

You should expect the unexpected in this type of situation. Question whether your attacker has backup, or if he is carrying a weapon. You have to assume the worst.

For the one arm lapel, seeing as your attacker is much larger than you, he has the upper hand in strength. When he grabs you by your shirt, you need to be aware that the arm that is there might strike you when you least expect it. So, it is best to trap it there, just to be safe.

Having blocked the arm that has grabbed you, you need to see if you can find an opportunity to block his strikes that are coming from his other hand.

Strength plays a big role here. If you try to out-muscle such a larger and bigger opponent, you might end up on the ground, with him towering over you. You want to avoid this.

Instead, your goal should be to trap his arms and hands before your attacker starts to strike you. Bringing his arm down and using all your force to keep him there could help you survive the situation.

In self-defense, size does matter, along with speed and range. However, just because you are smaller than your attacker does not mean you should let him have the upper hand and injure you to the point of death! Being smart, and applying intelligent techniques and movement can help you survive the outcome.

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Nick Drossos and Patrick Viana
Code Red Defense

[mikeescobar]

You make the BEST self-defense videos I have seen online. They're accessible, practical, and don't require fancy wrist manipulations and parries like most of the street self-defense and Krav Maga I've run across online.

[DanielWMcDonough]

I've been teaching for 25 years. I've seen a lot of the tough guy stuff that tells you what happens "on the street" and "in a real situation..." I've heard all the "Krav Maga, man!" And "90% of the fights end up on the ground..."

Blah, blah, blah.

This video is good. You teach very important concepts about the dynamics, the unknowns (or randomness), distance, and what can best be done in these difficult situations.

I appreciate your approach!

[essentialdefense]

The 6'4" bouncer has actually seen real fights.

[joesphcatalano]

The last seconds of the video are my favorite when the smaller guy teaching comes back with the quick jabs to the face and the trip. Then, you get a feeling of what hes capable of.

[groovass]

He looks like Murr from Impractical Jokers.

[jimh]

This doesn't work on my Russian gf.

[Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

Untrained fighters were Bruce Lee’s frequent go-to sparring partners because they are so wild and unpredictable.

[kutjanus]

Does this also work on a 6'5 attacker?

[vaderetro]

Pls make a video of a 7'3" guy defending from a 7'8" guy.

[johnnyb]

Whatever you do, Speed is the most important factor. It surpasses Strength and Size by far. When an opponent grabs hold of you, in effect also have hold of them. When an attacker does grab, you are now having to deal with a one-armed opponent! You now have better odds of surviving the encounter.

Don't bother using one of your arms to control the opponent's arm, as you will then even the odds . . . NOT a good choice. Rather press your body into his arm, thereby 'pinning' his arm to you and, if possible, also break his balance. If you use the contact point of his hand on your chest, you can pivot to the outside sweeping his arm across his body, putting his arm in the way of his other arm, minimizing any chance he might strike with that arm/hand.

Whatever you do, Speed is the most important factor . . . so strike him as many times as practical, using both hands/arms, (elbows, etc.), while his balance is momentarily broken.

Don't tie yourself up Dancing with your opponent, you never know what his skill level is or if someone else wants to join in.

So many things that can be done when you're fighting a one-armed opponent . . . experiment and have Fun. I'm 6'5" and about 250 lbs and it works on opponents regardless of their size and weight, but NEVER try to use Strength against a larger opponent when so many other options are available!

Be Well

[--]

Don't fight unless you really have to, Then get your retaliation in first Why have you allowed him to grab your shirt . it is all uphill after that.

[djs]

when you're struggling for balance, a groin shot looks very inevitable.

[ronyeahright]

well, as long as i can put on helmet and call "break" after I get hit, I'll be fine.

[BROOKLYN]

Proverbs 19:23 

23 The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

[eddielatham]

...like the instructions, finally some contact and near to reality speed. Keep up the good work.

[AgentX]

I would just wear the fighting helmet when I go outside! LOL!

[entertaichi]

Thanks for sharing! Have an awesome day!

[greggocean]

Mark "They don't pay me enough for this " 🤣

[matreyia]

Dealing with wild swings is only difficult if you try to chase hands. Because you will never be able to keep up or predict accurately due to the speed of the hands and also to the fact that you cannot know where the hands are coming from if the attacker himself does not know where they are going... think about it. It is unreasonable to think that you should try to predict wild energy from a wild person that does not even know how, from where his hands are swinging.

The solution: Do not chase the hands. Go directly to the slowest part of the person and destroy it asap. That would be the head or center area of the person or the supporting structure...such as the supporting leg. If you try to block a kick with your hands or even legs, you may not be fast enough or even at the correct stable posture. So don't try to block anything.

1. Understand that you will be hit - multiple times. So place yourself in the position relative to the enemy such that his hits will not reach maximum power. Knowing and being comfortable with range is paramount in this task.
2. Once conflict is unavoidable and attack is coming, commit to step #1, then proceed to attack the slowest weakest point - the head, the supporting leg, the throat, the chin, the eyes etc... meanwhile, keep your own corresponding parts covered when attacking.

Example: train yourself to detect body spins or body emanations that happen before the limbs shoot out. Before a punch or kick, the body has an unavoidable motion that corresponds to the attacking limb. If you know how this works, then you will be ahead of them before they even launch. It does not matter if they try to fake you out with fake jabs etc. Just hit regardless. With purpose and stability. When an attacker does a spinning kick, do not block the kick. Simply move into their center space and attack their center support. It takes a miniscule amount of force to offset a spinning attack if you are addressing the center pivot support. Even the attacker gets wonky without you touching him if he does the spin slightly off.

So basically fear is the issue. It prevents you from doing what needs to be done.
You cannot beat anyone if you constantly avoid them. So save time and effort and penetrate into their space so you can apply your force. Otherwise, you will be constantly at a disadvantage if you avoid their limbs because they are bigger than you and they can hit you will you cannot reach them. FEAR is the mind killer.

[DANIEL-lsku]

I've seen a smaller Asian martial artist being attacked by a taller dude, every time the tall dude tried to grab him the tall dude always end up on the ground at the end he stopped grabbing him.