Karate classes teach students a variety of kicks, punches and blocks. These classes also teach students self-defense techniques that can be used in perilous conditions. Self-defense techniques are generally taught in karate classes to help counter various grabs from assailants. These grabs include a single-wrist grab, double-wrist grab, front-choke hold, shoulder grab and bear hug.
Single-Wrist Grab
A single-wrist grab occurs when an assailant grabs a victim's wrist. A basic technique for breaking free from this grab is for a karate student to grab her own fist and pull away from the grip. The student must pull through the attacker's thumb in order to break the grip. The escape can be followed by a kick to the attacker's shin.
Double-Wrist Grab
When a karate student's wrists are grabbed from the front, she can break free by swiftly turning the hands inward and bringing them up. The student should again break free through the attacker's thumbs because it is the weakest part of this grip. The escape can be followed with a front kick to the assailant's groin or solar plexus.
Front-Choke Hold
A front-choke hold occurs when an attacker grabs a victim around the neck. There are numerous karate techniques that are taught to help students escape from this grab. One option is for a karate student to powerfully strike the attacker's ears with both palms. The ear strike can be followed with a knee kick to the attacker's groin.
Shoulder Grab
When an assailant attacks a victim with a shoulder grab, he surprises the victim from behind. The attacker tightly grips one of the victim's shoulders. Karate students are taught to react quickly by raising one arm and turning to break the grip. Once the karate student is facing the attacker, she can deliver a palm strike to the attacker's nose. This strike should be executed with the heel of the palm to have maximum effect.
Bear Hug
A bear hug is another attack that comes from behind and it can be one of the hardest grabs to escape. An attacker grabs a victim in a bear hug by wrapping both of his arms tightly around the victim's arms from behind. When a karate student is in a bear hug, she should reach down and pinch the attacker's inner thigh. This technique should loosen the bear hug so that the student can follow up with a strike to the assailant's groin. The karate student can also use the back of his head to hit the attacker's nose or he can stomp on the attacker's foot.
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