How to Escape Chokes and Bear Hugs in Krav Maga

Escaping from a bear hug and chokes in Krav Maga is easier than you think. The beauty of Krav Maga is that it centers on instinctive movements, and then brings them to another, heightened level. With this eHow, you will learn how to escape from chokes and bear hugs.

Instructions

  1. Escape From Chokes

    • 1

      Bring your hands up to the outside of your opponent's hands as he attempts to choke you. Hook your hands with your opponent, with your fingers pressed against each other as if they were one broad finger or unit.

    • 2

      Put your thumbs on top of his hands, with your fingers curled around his hands. Your fingers will be pointing toward the center of your chest.

    • 3

      Exploit the inherent weakness of the wrist by bending your opponent's wrists outward as you pull your opponent's hands from around your neck. In this manner, you will escape from the choke. Do this with an explosive movement, but keep your opponent's hands pinned to your shoulders.

    • 4

      Kick your opponent's groin as you continue to pin his wrists with your hands. You can kick more than once as you overcome your opponent and escape from a choke.

    • 5

      Keep one of your opponent's hands pinned while you bring one of your elbows up to strike your opponent's head as he bends forward.

    • 6

      Straighten your arm after striking your opponent's head with your elbow, keeping his one hand pinned, and strike him in the neck with your forearm.

    • 7

      Strike your opponent with your knees, or kick again in the groin or knee until your opponent surrenders. In this manner, not only do you escape from a choke or any choke hold, but you turn the opponent's attack against him.

    Escape From Bear Hugs

    • 8

      Face away from your opponent when he attempts to bear hug you.

    • 9

      Bend your knees and bring your torso forward in an attempt to multiply your weight as your opponent bear hugs you.

    • 10

      Take advantage of your opponent's position. Because he will be bending down in an effort to control you, suddenly swing your elbow back and strike him in the head. In this manner, you will begin your escape from your opponent's bear hug.

    • 11

      Spin around as your opponent's hold loosens, and kick your opponent in the groin or knee your opponent's torso as you hold your opponent's torso bent forward with your hands on the shoulders.

    • 12

      Strike as often as you need to when escaping from a bear hug-either while you are still being clasped from behind, or when you are facing your opponent. You want to decisively end your opponent's attack.