Hockey Fight Close Combat Technique

By Jeff Anderson

Every fight in a hockey game is a close quarters combat scenario. In fact, it's made even more difficult to do any real damage to the other opponent due to layers and layers of padding and you're trying to launch an attack on two thin blades of metal on a slippery surface.

Given these conditions, these guys have had to learn some pretty nasty (and EFFECTIVE!) close quarters combat techniques to get their strikes in before they're broken up by the refs. And there's a LOT we can learn from these experienced fighters! Here's a self defense technique that works just as well in the street as it does on the ice...

Self Defense Technique Stolen From Hockey Fights

It's very typical to get wrapped up into a "clinch" in a real street fight. In this position, you and your attacker are struggling for dominance and you may only have seconds to either gain an offensive position before he either gets in a good shot or his buddies come up to give him a hand.

In hockey fights, one of the best ways that players gain dominance is by using the other player's clothing. And you can use this same technique for self defense if you're even in a real street fight. Here's how it works...

1. When locked up head-to-head in close quarters combat in a real street fight, reach over your attacker's shoulders with one hand (preferably your non-dominant hand) and grab the back of his shirt as far down as you can.

2. Next, simply pull it up and over his head. Once you have it covering his face, twist it around to the side of his neck to wrap it tight around his face. This will give you control over his body because you now have full lateral leverage over his head, and as we know, where the head goes the body will follow!

3. Having this leverage makes it possible for you to throw your attacker over a chair or into another attacker if you're fending off multiple attackers in a real fight. But your biggest advantage is that your attacker won't be able to see anything and this gives you some pretty easy targets to strike.

4. While your attacker is at a disadvantage, use various close quarters combat self defense techniques to strike him such as elbow strikes, knee strikes, and hammer fist punches to defeat him and give you an opportunity to escape the fight, in close quarters combat.

A Self Defense Mistake with the Muay Thai Knee Strike

There has been a recent surge in self defense training, largely because of how popular mixed martial arts has become. However, this self defense platform is mainly sports-based so there has been some confusion about the difference between self defense techniques, which are often used to save lives and the techniques used in mixed martial arts that are bound by rules.

One of the more common misconceptions is the Muay Thai knee strike mistake that is often made in the area of self defense. What I mean is that many people try to throw the mixed martial arts Muay Thai knee strike while they're locked up and still clinched with their attacker. Many people see this move on television when watching mixed martial arts and think it makes perfect sense. However, there is a problem. When a person is practicing self defense, they aren't fighting in a padded ring. They're facing an attacker that is intent on hurting or killing them. When you are attacked on the streets, you can be sure that your attacker wants to take you down and hurt you.

The main reason that using the Muay Thai knee strike is potentially a mistake, is that when you throw that knee strike you may become completely off balance. The only thing that's keeping you on your feet is your stability, and when you're in a real self defense situation you have to stay on your feet. Additionally, if you're locked up with the attacker, you're probably not in the best position to line up your knee properly. Rather than using the knee strike technique, you'd be better of working on gaining control and uinge a move that's more likely to inflict the damage needed to help you escape.

Instead of using a Muay Thai knee strike, a better strategy would be to target the top of the attacker's foot. The top of the foot has several small, vulnerable bones that are easy to break. Your attacker won't be looking for an attack to this location.

To pull off this self defense move, simply bring the heel of your foot down at the spot on top of your attacker's foot where his shoelaces are tied. Use every bit of force you have. This is going to crush those small bones and make him lift his foot as a natural reaction.

Now your attacker is standing on one leg, allowing you to move and manhandle him into a position that gives you the edge. For instance, twist the attacker into a follow up take-down, sending him to the ground. Rather than using the Muay Thai knee strike for self defense, another option would be to step behind and outside your opponent's only supporting leg, throw him over your hip, landing him on the ground.

Many people put a great deal of faith in the knee strike for self defense. However, mistakes are often made when trying to defend yourself and this is one of them. Avoid this common mistake and go for a target that is much more likely to give you a better offensive position.

Self Defense Groin Kick Secret You MUST Know!

By Jeff Anderson

When it comes to defending yourself is in close quarters combat, the self defense groin kick is definitely an extremely powerful self defense technique to know how to use. (The guys that have had the unfortunate experience of falling onto their bicycles cross bar can tell you about that for sure.) However, it is important that you are executing this self defense technique correctly as there are many different ways that it can be done improperly. You could find that you are the one that gets the most hurt if you do not do it right so pay close attention to the following areas of the technique.

The Self Defense Groin Kick, First Secret - Use When Up Close to the Attacker!

Get as close as possible when applying the groin kick! Men subconsciously protect the groin area and have good reactions when they are about to be kicked there. The groin kick cannot be effectively accomplished if the attacker can see it coming as they will turn their body to avoid you making contact. It is a natural instinct.

The Self Defense Groin Kick, Second Secret - Dodge the Head Butt!

The majority of the traditional training on the self defense groin kicks teaches you to line your body with the attacker and stand directly in front of them. This linear approach can be dangerous to you as well because when the body reacts to being hit in the groin area, it naturally doubles over and the head comes down right at you.

When you are standing right in front of your attacker you are right there to be hit by their head as they make the involuntary movement with their head. You will not be able to get away from your attacker if you are injured or knocked down by their head crashing into your head or body. The intention behind this self defense technique is to be able to get away after you have done it.

The Self Defense Groin Kick, Secret Number Three - Hit Them High and Follow with the Groin Kick!

The head butt reaction that will come with the groin kick can be avoided if you first hit them in the upper body. This will also distract them from seeing that the groin kick will be coming. It will also allow you to apply more power behind your self defense groin kick.

The Self Defense Groin Kick, Secret Number Four - Counteract with a Side Movement!

To perform a proper self defense groin kick you must kick and move your body to the side at the same time. This will allow your body to be out of the way if they pull their head forward upon impact and it will actually allow you to put more strength into the technique.

The self defense groin kick can be a successful tool to use if you are attacked and as you train for this self defense groin kick, keep all of these secrets in mind.

Combatives Clinch Drill For Street Fight Self Defense

By Jeff Anderson

Can a simple close quarters combat clinch drill save your life? It sure can. One of the most effective, efficient means of expedient self defense is simple, brutal combatives. Clinch drill practice can supplement your combatives training and get you out of a possibly lethal situation.

One of the most critical concepts in self defense is that you never want to get clinched up with one person for more than just a couple of seconds. In the clinch, you're an easy target for any of your opponent's buddies, who'll start punching away at your head until they can get you on your back. You're also likely to get dragged to the ground where you're an even easier target. You've got to get out of there! That's where this simple combatives clinch drill comes in:

Combatives Clinch Drill For Self Defense

Step 1: You don't want to have the OUTSIDE of the clinch. When your arms are on the outside of your attackers, you have a lot less leverage. If you find your arms on the outside, change that fast.

Step 2: Reach under and come up on the INSIDE of the clinch. It's a simple change in arm placement and only takes a split second to gain the advantage. From here you can maximize the leverage of your shoulders.

Step 3: Lock his elbow. As you come under his arms to change position, bring one arm up and over your attacker's arm on the same side. Continue the circular motion so that his wrist naturally comes into your arm pit and your arm is now on the outside of his arm but over the top of it. You'll notice that this locks up his elbow joint and will get him on his toes and open him up a little.

Step 4: Go for the throat. As the opponent opens up, reach up with your other hand and grab his throat. Place your hand in a strong "C" position so you can grab slightly behind the trachea. Squeeze tightly enough to gain control but not crush the windpipe unless it's a life or death scenario.

Step 5: Now your opponent is off-balance and unable to launch an attack. You've also got the opportunity to look around and weigh your options. Once you've gained this superior position, you can assess the tactical situation you face. Where are your other targets? Where are his buddies? Are they coming after you?

You have the closest opponent's arm and trachea, so you can move him wherever you want, including into the ground so you can escape. You could throw him over an obstacle like a chair or even into another attacker, which allows you to deal with the next attacker.

In short, from the clinch, you want to open up your attacker, dominate him, use him as a shield if necessary, and escape. By practicing this simple combatives clinch drill, you can adapt to multiple attacker situations even from the clinch, and survive in self defense.

Self Defense Takedown Technique For Close Quarters Combat

By Jeff Anderson

In a real close quarters combat self defense situation, things get very deadly very quickly. When you're locked up with somebody in a clinch, where you're struggling for position while standing, you can't protect your family or other people who might be with you if you're locked up with a single attacker. If there are other assailants, you could get punched and then stomped, and anyone who's with you is also vulnerable to attack.

One of the most effective self defense moves you can use in close quarters combat is a fast takedown technique. Takedown techniques for self defense can make the difference, especially from the clinch, between surviving and ending up on the ground bleeding. A powerful takedown technique can put your assailant on the ground quickly so you can deal with other attackers or simply escape. Here's one powerful self defense move for taking your attacker out of the fight with a takedown technique:

Self Defense Takedown Technique For Close Quarters Combat

First, always make sure that you own the inside of the clinch by having your arms on the inside of your attacker's. If you're on the outside of a clinch, you don't have as many options for targets, while your opponent has all kinds of options for knees, uppercuts, and other strikes.

For this takedown technique, you'll only need to get one arm inside so if your arms are on the outside, take one arm off of your attacker. Quickly come under his arm on the same side. As you come under his arm, slide your hand up along the center of his chest.

As your hand travels up his body, let your fingers travel up to his throat. There, you'll find your way to his throat and find the "notch" right above the collar bone at the base of the throat. At the same time, you want to place your other hand behind your attacker's neck so get control of his body while you perform this takedown technique.

Finally, press your finger tips into your attacker's throat notch. As you push in, you'll simultaneously push down toward the ground behind his feet. This in-and-down motion is what makes this self defense move so powerful as your attacker will naturally fall straight down, gagging and choking, giving you the opportunity to escape as a follow up to your takedown technique