UNIT 1

Defensive Stance With the feet slightly wider than shoulder width, put one foot back at a 45- degree angle. Look straight at the attacker. Arms are bent. The lead arm is higher than the trail arm but no higher than the throat. Assume a confident and vigilant demeanor 1. Eyes on the other person’s eyes. 2. Facial expression neutral. 3. Posture relaxed and alert. 4. Movement minimized. Position self for safety 1. Distance of two arms’ length. 2. Body angled at 45 degrees. 3. Hands free and in front of body. 4. Use all available barriers. Verbal behaviors 1. Name the offensive or threatening behavior. 2. Clearly communicate expectations. Maintain Calm 1. Breath deeply and slowly.

Releases Non-secured choke hold This release is used when the attacker has backed the defender into a position where the defender cannot run away, but the attacker has not placed his/her hands on the defender. Steps of the release o Assume a defensive stance. o The defender should get both of his/her arms inside the attacker’s arms. o The defender should forcefully push both arms upward, and return quickly to a defensive stance. o The defender should then step forward and push the attacker by using the heels of his/her hands below the attacker’s clavicle. o Once the defender has pushed the attacker back, the defender should run. o Cues (ready, break, step and push, run). Evasive side-step Imagine an imaginary line with the attacker at 12 o’clock and the defender at 6 o’clock. Students should hold their ground until the very last minute or until the attacker is in the critical distance zone (less than two arm lengths away). Defender lunges to the side and sprints forward (lunge to 3 (right) or 9 (left) o’clock).

Handshake release (The handshake release has several options.) Handshake #1 Have the attacker shake hands with the defender. The defender takes his/her knuckle of the index hand and grinds it into pressure point found on the back of the attackers hand between the index finger and the middle finger. Handshake #2 (Chicken claw) Have the attacker shake hands with the defender. The defender takes his/her free hand and makes a C around the attacker’s thumb with the index finger and thumb. The defender lifts and pushes the tip of the attacker’s thumb up and back. Handshake #3 Have the attacker shake hands with the defender. The defender grabs the attacker’s wrist with his/her free hand. The defender should then walk under the attacker’s arm and lock the wrist off. To lock off the wrist, the defender turns the attacker’s hand so that the attacker’s palm is facing the attacker. The defender then places both thumbs on the back of the attacker’s hand by the middle finger.

Low Blocks - attack is to the upper legs and abdominal area. Assume a defensive stance. The hand blocks with the heel of the hand. Block with a downward motion of the hand. Middle Blocks - attack is to the torso Assume a defensive stance. Sweep the forearm to the side either to or away from the midline of the body. The hand twists so the little finger side of the hand leads the arm. High Blocks - attack is to the face/throat Assume a defensive stance. Raise the elbow up so the elbow is even with the wrist. The hand twists so the little finger side of the hand leads the arm. Punches Assume a defensive stance. Bring right fist back to the hip; palm up. Push the right arm straight toward the target. Just before the fist hits the target, twist the fist to a palm down position. As the right arm punches, the left fist moves back to the hip; palm up. Make sure the students do not punch with their elbows winging out to the side. The elbows should remain directly behind the fist. With all strikes, students should attempt to punch or strike through the target and not try punch at the target.