Talk:How to Escape the Headlock

The "how to avoid" tips are confusing and not really helpful. Keep a bent over stance? When? All the time? When fighting someone? Similarly if one is caught in a headlock, doesn't this imply that the aggressor was applying the element of surprise and/or their superior strength to thwart the somewhat obvious "duck out from under their arms" escape?

The escape technique shown could be improved as well. In the first and third panels the victim is shown with their right arm hanging limply to the side. It would be much better to use this arm to protect the face from punches. Secondly the movement of twisting the body to place the shoulder in front of the aggressor is unneccessary and impractical if the aggressor has an especially tight or strong grip. A better way to proceed is to reach around the back and grab the inside of the aggressor's left elbow with the left hand. Alternative grips are grabbing the clothing on the back if the aggressor's elbow is not available due to the punching action described above, or if the aggressor is shirtless, reaching up to cup the underside of the left shoulder or reaching around the waist.

Third point of contention: in step three the aggressor is shown splaying his right arm open for apparently no reason. In reality if an aggressor is serious he will often hold the head grip even after both combatants have landed on the ground. This article should go on to explain how to properly escape from such a situation.


 * The how to avoid the headlock tips are good. Protecting the face is a good tip to add. The images shown could be improved and perhaps replaced with drawings. I disagree with the body twist being uneccessary and impractical, this move is particulary effective vs a bigger, stronger attacker. Its a Ju-jitzu move and in reality I've used it a few times. Maybe the best thing to do is find someone who knows more about Ju-jitzu so it could be categorized properly. If you know more ways just add them, I'll call this the Ju-jitzu way till I learn more. Chrismo 02:50, 6 January 2006 (UTC)

Another point to remember is that when your arm is in front of the aggressors torso try to elbow them in the stomach. I have used this to good effect and it left me on my feet and the aggressor bent over. This is a desirable position to be in as you have the opportunity to run or if need be to strike again.

This page needs more general guidelines to defending against a headlock. (And btw, "How to Defend Against the Headlock" would probably be better than "How To Escape the Headlock" since it encompasses avoiding the headlock in addition to escaping from it, but perhaps I'm being too picky.) Specifically, I was taught in kenpo karate to 1.) be aware of your environment so that you don't end up in headlocks, and 2.) if you're in a headlock, you tuck your chin, regain your posture by stepping forwards and staying low (almost like you're kneeling), and counterstriking fast, at the moment you land if possible (counter-striking being anything from a punch or an elbow to a very effective pinch to the opponent's inner thigh.) I think general guidelines like these would work in more situations than specific movements like the one in the photographs.

In addition, I have an issue with "Keep a stance that is more bent over than straight up." It's always best to keep better posture than your opponent when fighting, and you can't do that by bending over while your opponent's standing up. I don't doubt it'd make it harder for him to get a headlock on you, but it'd make it easier for him to punch you in the ribs, grab you and pull you in a direction you don't expect, etc. 66.189.116.168 04:53, 3 September 2006 (UTC) John S.


 * I happened to be looking at this page again and notice things were the same since the last time I made my comments, so I made some changes. 66.189.116.168 11:58, 25 February 2007 (UTC) John S.

Is this a textbook?
Well, no need for me to go on my usual rant. :) --Jimbo Wales 16:04, 4 August 2006 (UTC)


 * We've already brought this one up for VFD, and the concensus was that this currently is not a textbook, but it is suitable material for a future book on the topic of self-defense. This page currently exists for that sole purpose. --Whiteknight (talk) (projects) 17:10, 4 August 2006 (UTC)