Defense against a Full Nelson

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The defense against a full nelson is something that you must learn if you want to be complete in self defense. It’s such a common attack when faced against multiple attackers, that you need to know what to do to escape that situation quickly.

If you don’t react quickly, you will most likely get hit flush in the face by an angry guy. Also, some larger attackers like to put their victims in a full nelson for a possible take down.

The defense move against a full nelson consist in dropping your weight by bending your knees very quickly. Make sure to engage all your core when you decide to drop down to make sure that your attacker comes down with you.

As you perform this defensive move, make sure to strike the groin of your attacker. If you see that there is an opening for a head-butt go for it. Then, you can elbow upwards to land a solid strike. Try to open the hands of your attacker to break free.

As soon as you break free, make sure to turn around and strike your assailant to terminate the threat.

Practice this self defense technique with your training partner. You will find useful to have it practiced it beforehand.

Feel free to share the “Defense against a Full Nelson” video with your friends and loved ones:

For a complete instructional video on common attacks visit:

For a complete instructional video against multiple attackers visit:

Stay safe,

Nick Drossos and Patrick V
Code Red Defense

[codereddefense]

What's your take on this video? Stay tuned by subscribing to the channel:

[NothingMaster]

Great defense! Dropping the full weight immediately is the key move, everything else follows from there.

[skustadroppazleague]

0:59 never ever do this. Your just putting more pressure on your neck your just helping the opponent break your neck The reality is if someone full Nelson you in Real fight they won't easily let go.

[DeKoelkastGamer]

you have taught me so much thank you for that

[Trump]

thanks dude you're awesome wish I could come to your school and learn some of those defense tactics

[JESSHRNDZzz]

yikesss, ,
bro, ,
excellent wisdom!! great vid!!

[clevername]

Good video. Any way you could make a video on how to recover if someone manages to take you down with a double leg takedown? I've seen your vid on how to defend tackle, but if the attacker manages to take you down anyway, what do you do to mitigate the damage from the slam?

[Penutbutaminingaway]

my daughter asked me a couple nights ago about this exact scenario. she's 110 lbs I'm 190 lbs. how can she overcome a man's adrenaline when the first response is fear on her part. all looks and sounds good on video but how about practicality

[Smeeshie]

Also, you can try stepping behind them while you throw all those strikes after dropping your weight. I've drilled it, full speed and all, and the move decreases their grip and makes it easier to get out. It is difficult though, and I'd only use it if I saw a clear chance.

[twistedtrooper]

Tip : Do not mess with a fast food restaurant worker

[AdrianKimmett]

These look like good escape tactics for sure but as in every full nelson escape video the hold in question is very poorly and lazily applied. A proper full nelson is applied with crossed wrists and forcefully jamming the persons head forward with extended arms and even more importantly with a staggered foot stance with one foot between the persons legs you are applying the hold to and one foot behind you. These things make the hold much more effective and give you greater control and ability to inflict damage to them by whipping them around and smashing their face into walls or other objects or you can move your lead foot in front of them and trip them so they land forcefully face first onto the ground or floor which can actually be a fight ending move sometimes but always at least stuns them enough that you can go for a finish

[TraumaInformedSelfDefense]

Here is another video on how to escape a full nelson with a different take for a self-defense purpose. End goal for anyone doing self defense is to get away with minimal damage.

[treyscott]

I'm a bouncer .. no dout that might work every now and again but with somebody that's strong .. it's not gonna work

[ComputerArea]

grab the fingers on your neck and bend them back till they break

[beandipmullen]

drop weight close elbows fight hands... that's way you get out and that's from high school wrestling

[hazab]

*Ther's no way out. Look up the Masterlock Challenge.*

[skustadroppazleague]

0:54
This will break your neck. Never drop your body and your neck and lean forward when someone full nelson you while the opponent keep pushing your neck downward. your putting more pressure on your neck. The reality is Your opponent will not easily let go of your neck. Find other full nelson escape. Don't do this. This will break your neck

[dangkoen]

I know it's possibly risky, but what about fully dropping to the floor?

[jeikobu_jeikobu]

Terrible camera work, cameraman. You need to show feet placement. Way too much headroom.