Multiple Attacker Self Defense – Chicken Wing Escape
Self-defense against multiple attackers is one of the most dangerous scenarios in a real street fight.
This is especially true when those attackers immobilize you in some way so that the other fighters can beat on you without fear of you being able to fight back.
One of the most common fighting moves used by multiple attackers is when one of the attackers holds your arms from behind in what’s called a “chicken wing” position.
In this position, your attacker gets one or both of your arms locked behind you, controlling your upper body.
If you don’t escape from this hold quickly, his friends can close in and punch and kick you.
As impossible as escaping from this multiple attacker scenario may seem, all is not lost…
Body Dynamics For Self Defense
Against The Chicken Wing Hold
When you’re locked up in a chicken wing hold, your attacker is focusing all of his strength and attention on immobilizing your upper body.
However, what he doesn’t realize is that your lower body is free to move.
This lower body mobility allows you to transition from a defensive position to a counterattack opportunity when approached the right way.
In fact, the harder your captor holds your upper body, the easier it is for you to apply this self-defense technique.
Self Defense Escape Move Against Multiple Attackers
Multiple Attacker Self Defense Escape – Step 1
For this self defense technique, first pivot your hips and shift your body to one side so that you have enough room to slip one of your legs around the back of your attacker, crouching down slightly, and stepping completely behind him as far as you possibly can.
The secret to this multiple attacker self-defense technique is how far you step (which can be to your right or to your left).
Again, the stronger he holds you, the more this helps you.
Multiple Attacker Self Defense Escape – Step 2
As you step behind him, put your foot on the other side of his far foot.
If you can get your foot on the side of his, from this point, all you need to do is stand completely up from your crouched position.
This will shift your attacker’s center of gravity to the side and take him completely off balance.
Remember that this is a multiple attacker self-defense scenario: While you’re doing this, there is another person, possibly more, trying to hurt you.
So you’ve got to use this self defense technique very quickly.
Once you’re in position, just stand up.
You’ll find that the faster you stand up, the more forcefully you put your attacker off balance and he will fall backwards.
As he falls, he may even kick one of the other multiple attackers, because his legs will shoot out.
This is just physics and body mechanics at work.
Once that happens, you’re ready to stomp on your former captor if parts of him are in range.
Keep the others in your sights.
You’ve turned the tables on your multiple attackers with a powerful self defense move that requires very little practice or strength.
FYI: When I attempt to confirm the link to the free DVD offer, I receive a message that there is a problem with the certificate of your link website.
Many internet sites do not have certificates. As long as you are certain of the site you’re attempting to use, just ignore the message and proceed.
You’re right that most sites don’t go to the expense or hassle with a certificate. We keep ours updated but it wasn’t communicated to the certificate holder. We took care of it yesterday and so the site should now reflect the update. Sorry for the mixup y’all. Everything we do is secure so we’re all good.
Thank you. Im 5 ft 2in and have been attacked. This move would sure have to be done quickly because the attacker can move his fet in response .
another bad scenario is when someone grabs you from behind with both of their arms around your chest(below your arms) with hands locked in place. How do you get out of this bad position. I think both poor positions may be improved by repeated foot stomps and by grabbing the small fingers and wrenching and also backward eye pokes. The defense from the chicken wing opponent does not take into account some one really strong that maintains their chicken wing hold. Mike
You can also just forcefully bend your leg up into the attackers crotch. This saved my bacon once. Kicked this big fat dude back upwards once, he was in shock. The second time, he let go and fell to the ground. With his two buddies coming to his aid, I turned on the after burners and was gone.
You can also backward kick into his knee cap or lower extremities such as his fat toe. I mean, right on top of the nail. That will make them jump and let go for the most part. Do the other foot too if he continues.
Yeah, those are good moves, a heel stomp on the holder’s instep might be good too.Or, one could step to the side and twist the guy’s body around and slam it into something with a backward force.Or maybe crouch low and grab scrotum really hard and pull/rip.
Hey Mike, try this: Take a big step to the right, (which will lower your center of gravity and cause the person behind you to lean slightly) Then press your left arm down on his left arm (if he doesn’t release thats perfect because you have now brought his head down next to yours) now reach over with your right hand, grab him by the back of the neck and pull him down to the front of you!(Careful tho, if your just practicing with a friend you dont want to cause serious injury!)
Mike just a follow up on someone really strong that maintains there C W hold: If you take the bottom of your foot place it just above there ankle on the side of there foot and step down hard they WILL fall, and in a “real life situation” Do this hard and fast and you WILL break there ankle and they wont be getting back up! Also (no direspect to Donovan) but instead of the “knee cap” you take a small step to your left, then bring your right foot up to the inside of there leg just above the knee cap pushing there leg sideways against the bend of the knee and again they WILL fall and again “hard and fast” will break that joint as well!
Norm and rrdonovan offer some additional great tips below Mike. Another option is to use one of your hands that are being held and grab an appendage of your choice.
Also, Damon’s tip about the ankle is killer! I once asked Russell Stutely for his favorite spot on the body to hit and he said the inside of the ankle, just above it. He says it will take any man out in a split second. (Thanks for sharing that Damon!)
Very good, thanks.
hi Geof
Aexcellent training video I have not seen this methord of escape before .But it seems practical and workable .Maybe the only problem might be that you lose your balance and actually fall backwards onto your attacker
All in all a very good video and thanks for sharing this methord
regards
peter mcgrath
i’ve watched mutch of this videos before i startet with shorin ryu karate and where super helpfull i was attacked before i started but knew moves from those videos and they are great just wanted to tell u helped me so much to go to my cousin who has 5 grade black belt norwegian champion 2 times and train karate im a member of vågsbygd karate klubb world largest shorin ryu karate martial art and just loves it so if it wasn’t to you i never would begun there thanks great vid BTW soz for no , and .
That’s great feedback Robin! You’re a true testament to our goal of expanding the integration of reality based training into people’s survival plans.
Keep the great work…and welcome to the inner circle!
I also get the untrusted site. I’m on my 4th computer in 10 years and am afraid to go further.
Thanks Jeff. I have actually had to use this technique and used it successfully. The thing is you have to move quickly and decisively. These techniques must be instinctive because if you telegraph your move it is useless.
Great Info Jeff I think the thoroughness of your demonstration is wonderful. I have had to count on the expertise of plastic surgeons to put my face together after an encounter and now I actually believe I might be able to reduce or elliminate that expense Thanks…… Bill ,
Buy the book!! I am 55 years old and am so better prepared for whatever this old world decides to thow at me! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Now a mean old lady from Texas!
When I was a little kid, someone grabbed me from behind like that. I flipped forward, landing on my back with him under my back. I think he was OK. I never tried that, or anything like that, since. Probably not advisable.
Chuck,
If the attacker is not much bigger than you, this can ‘work’… BUT it puts YOU on the GROUND, and possibly still in the grasp of the attacker! If it is a single attack, you would probably be in a fairly advantageous position. But NOT if there are multiple attackers…
It would be FAR BETTER if you can control the flip in such a way that you can ‘throw’ the attacker forward enough so that they slip over you while you are leaning forward, and you can keep your feet under you and stand back up to face the other attackers…
THANK YOU- THANK YOU -THANK YOU…..VERY SIMPLE, UNCONFUSING, USEFUL!!!!!!!!!
Sherri
Thank you. I do not expect to be in these situations, but then who does? and more importantly who knows?
best wishes, keep up the good work
this is a variation of a move i’ve used before. it can be used to fight out of nearly any grab from behind. i’ve used it to counter bearhugs, standing rear naked chokes, full nelsons and the two hands on my chin + knee in the back hold (for lack of a name).
someone had a question regarding “what if they are still holding you when you fall to the ground?” in my experience, just pivoting your hips (or rolling on top) so that your body is facing his (i.e. chest to chest) is usually good enough to break the grip. if for some reason you are stuck, i don’t see why you can’t rotate your body like the hands on a clock to cause further twisting and/or damage.
Sir; as a retited correctional sergeant, we were trained to fall with the inmate turning wth his body so that we were on top …this gave us time to get out of the other inmates way. …I’m not saying this is better, only different. thanks and God bless…