Headlock from the Side Defense (Attacker’s Weight Forward; Leg Wrap)

If you feel your attacker leaning forward, execute the following finishing move.

Starting Position: Headlock from the Side Basic Positioning (page 208).

Reach your top leg over and hook the attacker’s leg.

Pull on his leg as you straighten yours. Simultaneously use your top arm to push against his neck, and drive your top hip into his. Your weight should travel toward his head. This action should also cause your lower hip to slide out from underneath him.

As he is forced forward, drive your shoulder downward into his, creating pressure on his arm and neck. In most cases, this will release the headlock.

Variation: If the attacker continues to maintain the headlock, continue to shift your hips until you are in a crouched position, on the other side of his body, with the attacker on his side beneath you. Be careful to maintain your balance. Deliver hammerfist strikes to his face, or gouge out his face and eyes. If the headlock persists, make a palm heel strike against his jaw line, driving upward with your shoulders to stretch him out. This is called a “cross-face.”

Tips: Be sure to drive your weight toward his head, where he has no base.

Headlock from the Side Defense (Attacker’s Weight Forward; with Space)

Although this technique appears dissimilar from the previous exercise and will have a slightly different result, the movements made are almost exactly the same. This technique is done when a smart attacker, attempting to avoid the leg hook of the previous technique, leans forward but also scoots his legs forward to stay out of your reach. Although this makes a leg hook difficult, it creates space that you can use to your advantage.

Starting Position: Headlock from the Side Basic Positioning (page 208).

Reach your top leg over, as though trying to hook the attacker’s leg.

Failing to hook the leg, continue the motion so that your hips shift. At the same time, draw your knees up so that you are on your knees next to your attacker. Your lower hand should be ready to base out and stabilize your position. From here, the greatest danger of the headlock is essentially neutralized, although you still have a strong fight on your hands.

From this position, you can either slip out of the headlock, deliver counterattacks, or even make Defense against Headlock from the Side (page 208).

Headlock from the Side Defense (Attacker’s Weight Back)

Attackers will sometimes shift their weight backward to apply more pressure to the neck or to avoid being taken forward.

Starting Position: Headlock from the Side basic positioning (page 208).

With your upper arm, push the attacker’s upper body backward, toward your own hips. At the same time, quickly scoot your hips out of the way. Your hips MUST move quickly or you will stall the technique.

As the attacker rolls back, pull your self up to your knees, making sure your bottom hand is available to base out in case he attempts to roll you.

Attack with hammerfists, claw at the face, knees to the back, or cross-face (see note under Headlock from the Side Defense—Attacker’s Weight Forward on page 209) until he releases your head.