Stop Kick Defense against Front Kick

Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance.

As the attacker’s kick develops, lift your left knee almost as though preparing to give a side kick (but don’t chamber quite that high).

With your toes turned inward, stomp on the attacker’s shin or, if you meet the attack very early, his knee.

Tips: This defense is very effective, but it assumes you see the kick early or in time.

Defense against Front Kick (Redirecting with Shin)

This defense redirects the attack.

Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance.

As the attacker’s kick develops, bring your left knee up and across your groin. Your knee should not be too bent (in other words, the foot should be almost right beneath the knee). If it is bent, this creates an angle against the front kick, which you don’t want. Your shin should brush the side of the attacking foot or leg. As you make contact, redirect the kick away from your groin, allowing the motion to continue, if possible.

Self-Defense Choke from the Front against a Wall

Practice the defense against Choke from the Front with a Push (page 66).

Starting Position: Passive stance, back to a wall, with an attacker choking you from the front, pinning you to the wall.

Stab your right hand straight up to the sky. Your right bicep/shoulder should be as close to your right ear as possible.

Turn sharply to the left, dropping your left shoulder down so that your body and neck stay against the wall.

Clear the attacker’s hands: bend slightly at the knees, delivering a downward vertical elbow strike (#7) with your right arm, while bringing your left hand up in a trapping motion.

Deliver an upward angled elbow strike (#2) to your opponent’s face. Be sure there is weight behind the attack! Continue with further counters.

Tips: Dropping your shoulder is vital. If you keep your shoulder up as you turn, you will increase the pressure on your throat, which is not good. Drop your shoulder as you rotate and the hands will come off your throat smoothly.

Choke from Behind against a Wall

All the principles of Choke from Behind with a Push (page 68) apply.

Starting Position: Passive stance, facing a wall, with an attacker choking you from behind.

Raise one hand up along the wall and turn sharply back toward the attacker. Unlike in Choke from the Front (page 124), you do not have the option of defending to either side. Your face will be turned to one side or the other, and you must pivot in that direction. As you turn, drop the shoulder on the non-defending side down so that your body and neck stay against the wall.

Bring your elbow down to clear the attacker’s hands and pin them against your body.

At the same time, counterattack with a punch, followed by multiple knees.