Whenever you are grabbed, your first reaction should be to hit the grabber. That is the rule. In this video lesson we explore what to do when, for some inexplicable reason, you forget to do that. It shows how easy it is to get off a grab, and how the situation can then become whatever you need it to be, from simply walking away to finishing it.

It is for self-defence students, traditional martial artists and anyone who has been taught complicated grab releases and wants something simpler.

Why Hitting Comes First

A grab is not the attack. It is the set-up for the attack. Someone grabs you so they can hold you in place while they hit you, push you or drag you somewhere. While they are holding on, at least one of their hands is busy. That is your opportunity.

Hitting the grabber straight away changes the whole situation. Their attention moves from what they planned to do to what you have just done. Very often the grip loosens on its own.

When You Forget

Under pressure, people freeze or react badly. That is normal. So you need get offs that work even when you have missed the first chance. The good news is that most grabs are much weaker than they feel. A grip is only as strong as the thumb and the angle of the wrist, and once you move against that weakness the grab comes off far more easily than people expect.

The key points:

  • Move against the thumb, not against the fingers
  • Use your whole body, not just your arm
  • Take their balance a little as you release
  • Keep your other hand up and ready

Your Choice After the Release

Once you are free, you have options. You can walk away, which is often the best result of all. You can control the person. Or, if you are still in danger, you can deal with the threat. Whatever you choose, the law expects the force you use to be reasonable for the situation, so decide sensibly. Getting home safe is the goal.

How to Practise

Work with a cooperative partner. Start slowly, with a firm but not violent grab, and practise both responses: hitting first, and getting off when you did not. Keep any strikes light and controlled in training, especially near the head and neck. Then gradually add realism.

Take It Further

Grab defences are a big part of the Pressure Point Self Defense Course. If you work in security, on the door or in policing, the PPDT Online Course covers control from grabs in a professional setting.