bear hugs

Hi All,
I have yet to see a good bearhug(overarm)defense that is realistic.Now,going on the assumption that your attacker is just going to stand there and hold you in place then yes,I guess there are a few good techniques.
But lets face it how many attackers are just going to stand there and hold you? The attacker is going to be lifting you off your feet and slamming you unmercifully to the ground in the blink of an eye.The victim can only hope the attack does not occur on the railroad tracks(lol).So,in my opinoin the only reasonable defense against a bearhug is to react before the attacker gets his arms locked in around you.Any thoughts on the viability of bearhug defenses?I would be interested in other opinions.
thanks
c

I would probibly do what damage I could to his shins with the heels of my shoes, and grab whatever skin I could with my hands, and tear and twist as hard as I could while trying to head butt him in the face.

another good way, assuming you have decent weight, is to just drop into a horse stance right as they grab you. they will try to lift you up, and its just dead weight so it will be more difficult. Then you can do a throw from there.

That would be effective coxne, mine is just kinda like a wild animal approach.

Coxne

My prefferred move too, but it only works if you are quick enough and strong enough.

Try it with someone suddenly and forefully (just enough to slightly knock the wind out of you) grabbing and lifting you up.

The males in our dojo can all have me off my feet and slammed on the floor before I have a chance to sink my weight, Worse still, one of them is only 14 [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif[/IMG] This may not be the case for you, as obviously I am talking from a light (130 pounds) female's perspective

I am getting better at dealiing with the attacker once on the floor, but didn't manage to stay upright once from the initial rear grab in a whole session.

Any other suggestions for escaping the bearhug front and/or rear?
Sharon

Bear hug lesson one: Bear hug with arms free-Push down on your ukes hand so they are in or around your stomach area raise your right arm up high and strike your ukes forearm with an elbow strike, very very painful if you hit the meat of their forearm, repeat if nessesary.

Bear hug lesson two: Bear hug with your arms trapped-this technique is very "split second" which means it has to be done soon as you feel someone from behind you trying to bear hug you. Drop to Nahanchi stance(horse) and raise both your arms all the way up to release you from the hug. after you are released there are a number of more advanced throws and takedowns that can be done from that position. Those are my two bear hug lessons for today. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]That will be $20.00 please.

Sharon,

I guess it wouldn't work for lighter people. It works for me cause I weigh 230, the only people that can keep me up in my class is the guy who can dead lift 450 lbs... I'd have to go with te75uo if they got me in the air. Just thrash about wildly until you hit the ground, (either being thrown or if they drop you from being kicked in the family jewels), then take it from there... anyone with a more "orthodox" method of escape?

Step around their leg, lift up on their leg, and slam.

Bear hug has to be the dumbest attack on a trained fighter. All of the above work, there is also bunkai in the opening sequence of Passai/Bassai.

Also, a good hands combo will probably knock them out.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by still wadowoman:
Coxne

Try the same same technique,but this time turn yours shoulders and step in between opponents feet.From the rear you may try hooking their leg with yours.