# DEFENSIVE HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT

Part 2

Breaking Grips and Hand Holds

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This web page contains the complete text and some of the graphics from a US Navy Aviation Bureau training film dated 1942. The presenter of this film is Lt. Commander Wesley Brown jr.

2-1. Breaking Grips And Hand Holds

Holds applied by an opponent are easily broken, regardless of the opponent’s physical strength. This is achieved by simply forcing the hand against the opponent’s thumbs, either inward or outward.

2-2. Breaking Rear Strangle With Body Twist

When a strangle hold is applied it is possible to escape by means of sudden body twist with lowered hip.

Hunching the shoulders and twisting breaks the hold while the hands are held in a position of defence against kicks or knee blows.

2-3. Breaking The Rear Strangle Hold With Thumb Lock

When a rear strangle hold is applied at arms length, the breaking hold may be applied to the thumbs.

With this leverage, the assailants grip is most easily broken. Because of its acute twisting force locking the elbow, his power of resistance is minimised. His face is brought down into effective range of a knee lift.

Points to note.

Lock the thumbs.

Twist body.

Knee lift to face.

2-4. Breaking Rear Strangle With Flying Mare

When a strangle hold is applied from the rear, do not attempt instantly to break the hold. Instead, use both of your hands to pull the assailants arms in order to get a breath and loosen the strangle.

Strike him in the groin with the open hand or fist.

As his reaction throws him out of position, drop to the knee corresponding to the side of his approach and throw him over your shoulder with a flying mare.

As he lands, he natural position of his arms and body makes it easy to apply an elbow lock.

This advantage may be followed up with a vigorous counter attack to any part of the body.

Points to note.

Gain a full breath.

Blow to the groin.

Drop to one knee.

The flying mare.

The elbow lock.

2-5. Breaking The Rear Body Lock With Leg Lift

When your hands are resting on your hips, the natural inclination of the assailant is to clamp his hold inside your arms.

Before he can complete this hold, lean over and seize his nearest ankle, drawing his leg up between your own.

Having thus gained the initiative, follow it up by throwing him and landing on him with your full weight on either his chest or abdomen.

Points to note.

Seize the ankle.

Pull up leg.

Drop on chest or abdomen.

2-6. Breaking Rear Body Lock With Standing Switch

In this counter, the first move is to seize the opponent’s arm with your hand. Then lock your left foot inside and behind his. Clinch your position by getting a grip on his leg or groin with your left hand then fall backward.

With your assailant on the deck, you can choose between breaking his arm or continuing the counter attack to the back of his neck while he is immobilised by using a leg spread clamp on his feet or legs.

Points to note.

Secure his arms.

Note the position of his legs and feet.

Hand on crotch.

Complete switch.

Spread legs.

2-7. Breaking Rear Body Lock With Hip Lock

As the assailant clamps on the body lock, turn into him, seize his arm just above the elbow and bring your other arm around, up to a point just below his shoulder.

Stepping across in front and leaning outward, you are in a position to apply the hip lock.

Land with your full weight on his chest or abdomen and with both his arms still secured and fully pinioned for further counter attacks.

Points to note.

Seize upper arm with both hands.

Apply hip lock.

2-8. Breaking Front Strangle With Arm Wedge

Clasp the hands firmly together. Do this without intertwining the fingers.

Lunge upwards, striking with the full power of the arms and shoulders to break the assailants grip.

In the same continuous movement, bring down the clasped hands on the bridge of the opponents nose or other vulnerable part of his face.

Points to note.

Clasp hands firmly.

Lunge upward.

Strike blow to nose.

2-9. Breaking Front Body Lock With Knee Lift Or Foot Kicks

The first objective in the front body lock counter is to force the assailants body far enough away to manoeuvre. Then he may be forced off balance by stamping on his arch, a strong kick to the shin or a blow to the groin with the knee or a combination of all these.

The fallen man must then be approached from the rear, keeping out of range of his feet and staying in a position to continue the counter attack.

Points to note.

Force his body away.

Stamp to arch.

Kick to shins.

Blow to the groin or combinations of all these.

Approach from the rear to continue or conclude the counter attack.

2-10. Breaking Front Body Lock With Hip Lock

In this body lock counter, the assailant’s arm is seized and clamped at the elbow.

Your other arm is passed under and around his opposite arm at the chest.

With both his arms secured and by extending the hip and bending to the side, you are set to throw him with a hip lock.

Land with your full weight on the assailant’s chest or stomach and stay in position to continue the counter attack.

Points to note.

Seize his arm at the elbow.

Extend hip to the side.

Apply hip lock.

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