GROUND DEFENSES

1. Approaching From The Side - Side Arm Bar

You are on the floor on your back and the attacker is at your right hand side. He kneels or crouches down beside you and tries to strangle you, putting his hand around your neck (Figure 1). Take hold of his right hand with both of your hands and turn it palm up. Bring your left leg over his head and into his neck under his chin (Figure 2). Bend your right leg towards you and in front of his stomach (so that it is less likely to get caught under his full weight). Then straighten your left leg and push it to the ground so that he falls back. As you do this pull on his right arm to keep it straight and to stop him from moving away from you. Once he is on his back you should have his arm stretched in between your legs with his elbow joint over the top of your hips (Figure 3). If you are too far away then shuffle nearer to him, keeping a hold on the arm

Fig 1. An Attack From The Side

Fig 2. Take Hold And Take Control

To apply the arm lock, move his arm to the side so that it is against your leg and raise your hips (Figure 4). If you are not able to get the lock it is usually because you are not close enough and so his elbow is not at your hip (or thigh), so shuffle nearer and try again.

Fig 3. Take Your Opponent To The Floor

Fig 4. Apply The Arm Lock

On occasions you come across someone who spots this lock coming and as he falls back he links his hands so that it becomes difficult to straighten his arm. Time to move to plan B. Put your right hand through, between his upper and lower arm, and grab your own left arm.  With your left hand grab the back of his right hand and pull towards you. If you lean back it will help, but keep his elbow against your body (Figure 5).

Fig 5. Coping with Resistance By Changing The Arm Lock

YDJ Graham Salt