Kenpo: Countering Bear Hug Attacks

In the rare circumstance where an opponent uses a rear bear hug to squeeze you there are two strong moves that have significant counter-attack advantages. The Bear Hug-Back Free-A helps to return face to your opponent when your arms are free while the Crashing Hammer-Bear Hug Back Pinned allows you to take your opponent to the ground when your arms are pinned. 

It is important to understand that an opponent that tries to use a bear hug likely sees you as a smaller and weaker opponent. He/She feels their strength is sufficient to keep you in control and likely has tried this successfully at other times in their life. 

Such opponent’s don’t consider the protection of their vital areas as your arms are tied and the front of your body is facing away. There is a feeling that safety comes from behind. A well skilled kenpo fighter knows that their rear, ability to leverage their body, and overconfidence of their opponent is often the biggest advantages. 

Even though there is significant strength and force involved with the initial unlocking of arms the far majority of the moves deal with speed and accuracy. Students should be aware of how their body leverage has great potential to change circumstances and repetitive practice encourages speed, confidence, and accuracy to effectively execute the moves. 

Bear Hug-Back Free-A (Opponent has Bear Hug from Behind)

-Stomp opponent’s right foot.

-Step off to the right as you deliver middle fist punches (With middle knuckle protruding) to the center of the opponent’s hands to release hold. 

-Grab opponent’s right upper palm with your right hand and spin to the right to face your opponent. 

-Place your left hand with your right hand to create two handed wrist lock (opponents palm is downward)(Your palm is upward with thumbs on top of hand to create pressure).

-Snap kick to the opponent’s stomach with your right leg and recoil. 

Crashing Hammer-Rear Bear Hug Arms Pinned

-Step left to 9 oclock into horse stance. 

-Right hammer fist to groin.

-Cat stance to left leg.

-Step leg to behind opponent’s left leg. 

-Right downward palm to opponent’s groin.

-Elbow strike upwards to chin thereby raising the chin. 

-Left horizontal palm to opponents chin knocking the opponent to the ground over your right leg.