Class 09 - Rear Choke Defenses ( 2 variations) GU17 and Drag Defenses GU19
Rear Choke Defenses - A surprise attack from
behind is one of the most challenging attacks to overcome. In this
lesson, we teach you how to defend when
someone attempts to choke you or bear hug you from behind.
Technical Slices
1. Rear Choke Defense (Pull Back Variation)
• Indicator: Assailant approaches from behind and chokes you with
intent to drag you into isolation.
• Essential Detail: Immediate control of the assailant’s choking
arm and dropping into base.
• Most Common Mistake: Failure to generate sufficient momentum
during pivot.
• Bad Guy Reminder: Lean back while controlling the neck to add
realism and facilitate the move.
• Safety Tip: Pause before the throw to make sure “bad guy” is
ready for the fall.
• Drill Orders: 1 rep, reverse roles.
2. Rear Choke Defense (Shoulder Slip Variation)
• Indicator: The Pull Back variation does not work because their
grip is too tight, or they are not attempting to pull you
from
behind.
• Essential Detail: Drop your shoulder and rotate toward the
choking arm to fully face the assailant and establish the
clinch.
• Most Common Mistake: Turning in the wrong direction and making
the choke tighter.
• Bad Guy Reminder: As your partner gets more comfortable with the
move, with their permission you can increase the choke
tightness.
• Drill Orders: Start in the rear choke, one rep, reverse roles.
Once more comfortable with the technique, try both sides.
3. Rear Bear Hug Defense (Under-Arm Variation)
• Indicator: Assailant approaches from behind and bear hugs you
without notice.
• Essential Detail: Immediate drop into base placing both hands on
the ground.
• Most Common Mistake: Failure to drive hips back during the
leg-lifting process.
• Safety Tip: If you fall back during knee lock, let go of the leg
to avoid hyper-extending it.
• Drill Orders: 1 rep, reverse roles.
4. Rear Bear Hug Defense (Over-Arm Variation)
• Indicator: Assailant approaches from behind and bear hugs you
over your arms.
• Essential Detail: Spread your elbows and drop straight down to
the ground where you can rotate your body to put them in
Stage 4.
• Most Common Mistake: Failing to walk feet forward while
committing to the downward drop.
• Bad Guy Reminder: Keep your base wide to avoid them landing on
your toes.
• Safety Tip: Hook your partner’s hands to soften the drop, and
look up to avoid hitting your nose.
• Drill Orders: 1 rep, reverse roles.
Drag Defenses - If an assailant is able to
knock you to the ground and is trying to move you, it can be
difficult to get back to your feet and break away. In
this lesson, we will explore three reliable techniques you can use
to avoid being dragged, starting with the Wrist Drag defense.
Technical Slices
1. Wrist Drag
• Indicator: Assailant is dragging you on the ground by your
wrist.
• Essential Detail: Connect your feet to their arms, pivot around
to get your feet on their hips and establish Stage 4, release
your
wrist, and kick them to create distance.
• Most Common Mistake: Not lifting both legs and elevating the hips
when making the initial foot-hand connection.
• Bad Guy Reminder: Give your partner a safe target for kicks once
they establish Stage 4.
• Modifications: If you are unable to connect your feet to their
arms, use your feet to push off the ground and pivot your
body
into Stage 4.
• Drill Orders: Start from the wrist drag position, 1 rep, reverse
roles.
2. Ankle Drag
• Indicator: Assailant is dragging you by both ankles.
• Essential Detail: Bring one knee close to your body and kick your
flexed foot in the direction of your head
• Most Common Mistake: Not bringing the knee to the chest before
kicking out of the grip.
• Bonus Detail: Wrap your arms around the back of your thigh and
pull to facilitate bringing the knee to the chest.
• Drill Orders: Start from the dragging position, one rep, reverse
roles.
3. Hair Drag
• Indicator: Assailant is dragging you on the ground by your
hair.
• Essential Detail: Whip your legs around and use your hands if
necessary to stand up and face him before executing the hair
grab guard pull variation.
• Most Common Mistake: Not resorting to your hands when necessary
to get to the standing position.
• Safety Tip: Fake the hair grab if necessary.
• Drill Orders: Start with hand on the head/hair from dragging
position, 1 rep, reverse roles.