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.
In Chicago, I was in an alley with a few people. There appeared about a dozen people at the end of the alley. We had nowhere to go, so we fought them. I grabbed an old shovel and a steel lid from a garbage can. The lid made a good shield and the shovel I used like a bludgeon. After that I got an awful lot of respect from those people. God bless Mayor Bilandic for the garbage can lid. ROTFLOL!