Tae kwon do, which originated in Korea, is one of the world's most popular martial arts. This fighting style is well-known for its kicking techniques. Tae kwon do practitioners sometimes seem to defy gravity with impressive jumping and flying kicks. However, tae kwon do kicks are mostly effective at a distance. Practitioners of this style also have an arsenal of self-defense techniques for close-range attacks. For example, tae kwon do can teach you how to escape from a sleeve grab, shirt grab, front choke, back choke and headlock.
Defense Against a Sleeve Grab
Someone may initiate an attack by grabbing your sleeve. If an attacker faces you and grabs your right sleeve with his left hand, reach across with your left hand. Place your hand over his hand. Put your thumb behind the attacker's thumb and put your fingers under the pinkie side of his hand. Put pressure on his wrist by rotating his hand counterclockwise. This motion should force him to let go of your sleeve. While continuing to grasp his hand, put pressure on his triceps with the outside edge of your right hand. From there, you can force the attacker to the ground or deliver a front kick to his head.
Defense Against a Shirt Grab
If an attacker grabs you on the front of your shirt with his right hand, then you can use your left hand to control him. Place your left hand over the thumb side of the attacker's right hand. Use your fingers to grip the palm of his hand and put your thumb on the back of his hand. Put the attacker in a wrist lock by turning his hand counterclockwise. As you control the attacker, you can deliver an inward elbow strike to the left side of his head. Deliver the elbow strike in a fast, horizontal manner.
Defense Against a Front Choke
If an attacker wraps his hands around your throat, it can cause you to panic. However, it is best to relax and use a basic tae kwon do self-defense technique to escape the front choke hold. Thrust your hands up through the middle of his arms and break his grip. Immediately grab his shoulders and drive your knee into his groin.
Defense Against a Back Choke
An attacker may surprise you and try to choke you from behind. If he wraps his fingers around your throat, then use your hands to grab one of his fingers on each hand. Forcefully rip the fingers off your neck by extending your hands out to your sides. Your goal is to break his fingers. Take a step forward and deliver a back kick to the attacker's groin or solar plexus. The back kick looks similar to a donkey kicking backward. Use the heel of your foot to kick the assailant.
Defense Against a Headlock
A headlock can be a difficult grab to escape. However, tae kwon do can teach you how to get out of this tight grab. If an attacker wraps his right arm around your head and holds you on the right side of his body, then act quickly to escape. Bring your left hand up behind the attacker and grab his hair. Grab the back of his right leg with your right arm. Pull back on his hair as you lift up on his leg. This self-defense technique should force the attacker to fall backward and let go of you.
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