Needless to say getting cornered is not an ideal self defense situation. However there are a number of ways to turn the tables on your attacker.
As you saw Ray Ellingsen explain in the video above, using a joint lock can be a very effective technique in this type of situation.
The key to this fighting move is using an effective distraction technique. No attacker is going to just let you put him into a joint lock. The open palm strike is crucial for this technique to work.
Remember though, the open palm strike is one of many possible distraction techniques for this kind of situation. You can also use a knee to the groin, a head-butt, or even spit in his face.
In fact, I would probably recommend using something other than the open palm strike simply because it will allow you to trap his hand right as you distract him (lowering the risk that he will release his hand or step back).
Another thing to keep in mind is that this self defense technique will only work if your attacker is holding onto you.
This is where the trapping technique comes in. Holding his hand against your body is essential if you want this move to work. The best thing to do his distract and trap his hand simultaneously.
After you have applied the joint lock and taken your attacker to the ground there are many self defense techniques you can use (like dropping a knee into his groin) to end the fight, but most importantly you will no longer be cornered and you have created a clear escape route.
Never rely on a video or book for self defense techniques. Effective techniques can only be learned through direct instruction, practice, practice, and more practice.
And remember, a determined attacker who is twice your size does not go down as easily as a sparring partner who falls on his own for the sake of instruction.
Having speed, skill, and training are the only ways to be fairly certain to prevail in such circumstances.
That's right. Unless you are highly trained, you cannot out-box or out-grapple someone who is much bigger and stronger than you. Even then, the outcome is far from certain.
Avoid fighting if at all possible. The risk of injury to yourself and the legal repercussions even if you win is considerable.
If you cannot avoid a fight -- if you attacked or seriously threatened -- then end the engagement as quickly as possible. If someone intends to cause bodily injury to you or a loved one, then there is no dishonor in attacking the groin, the knees, or the eyes. Grab anything handy that you can use as a weapon.
If you are facing multiple opponents, run.
And remember, a gun is always more reliable than 12 years of Brazilian jui jitsu or a 5th degree black belt in hapkido.
If you cannot avoid a fight -- if you attacked or seriously threatened -- then end the engagement as quickly as possible. If someone intends to cause bodily injury to you or a loved one, then there is no dishonor in attacking the groin, the knees, or the eyes. Grab anything handy that you can use as a weapon.
Yep. I'd also add a seldom considered technique of delivering a well aimed side kick (only by a person skilled in martial arts) to the shin bone, breaking it.
An upwards strike to the base of the nose with the palm of the hand MAY drive the nose bone into the brain if done correctly.
As far as multiple opponents, it CAN be done but it needs to happen faster than the opponents can react to, such as what is seen in Aikido demonstrations, but then again it takes about 10 years to reach a level of proficiency to where it MAY be successful.
On the other hand, if a group of thugs with little or no training are attacking you and there is no other way out, disabling the biggest one first then going after the others has been known to cause the rest of them to run.
That's all good stuff, thanks. While we're on the subject, let me mention something that has really bothered me lately.
I've seen several very disturbing videos in the last few years of thugs viciously sucker-punching people, often causing serious injury. Sometimes it's out of the blue -- the ghetto thugs' knockout "game" -- and there's not much you can do about that besides the obvious: avoid areas with high concentrations of thugs, and practice better situational awareness.
But in other cases, two guys are faced off arguing over something -- say, a traffic incident. One of them is obviously very upset and acting aggressive, and the other is calmer, trying to have a civilized verbal exchange. But the calmer guy -- wanting to convey his peaceful intentions (sometimes for a camera recording the incident) -- makes the stupid and grave mistake of leaving his hands at his side. In that position he is totally defenseless against a sucker punch.
At a very minimum, one should keep his hands up -- unclenched, palms facing outward is usually seen as being pretty non-aggressive. (There's a good online video advocating that technique; I'll try to find it.) Best to not let anyone get close enough to surprise you with a punch or kick. If someone wants to talk, talk from 10 feet away; don't let him get in your face. Hospitals and police stations are really no fun at all.
avoid areas with high concentrations of thugs, and practice be better situational awareness.
I did cosmetics deliveries in Chicago in the late '70s for this woman in the old neighborhood. I would go to the beauty shops on the South Side and deliver this purple fluid that would take the kinks out of the blacks hair. She told me, "Don't take any checks from those people."
I collected CASH. By the time I was finished, I had between $500 and $800 on me. I ALWAYS CARRIED A PISTOL. Never had any trouble since I stayed on the main streets. Better to be safe than sorry. ;)