04/06/2021
One of the most common attacks, especially against women, is to grab and pull by the hair. Being pulled and held by the hair makes you vulnerable to strikes to your head and keeps you from being able to escape or fight back effectively. In Unity Martial Arts’ self defense courses we teach a three step process for escaping a hair grab which is one of the most common concerns of attendees to these free community seminars and 5 week courses.
If you have enough hair to grab (or wear hoodies, scarves, or anything else around your head or neck that wouldn’t easily break away), take some time to think through and practice these steps so you’ll have a better chance of escaping or fighting back if you’re ever assaulted this way.
Step 1) Grab the Grab (and cover your head)
When you’re first grabbed you’ll be off balance, disoriented, and likely pulled to the ground. Get one hand or both onto the hand that has hold of your hair and pull it to your head, pulling your elbows in and protecting your head as best you can from their strikes. This will make it possible to resist your attacker’s pull with your whole body instead of just your neck.
Step 2) Find your Feet
Instead of wrestling to get your hair back or stand up, bring your feet or knees below you so that you can use your strength. You want to get your body between you and the ground or between you and the attacker. Keep covering your head and try to get in a position where you can see the attacks and the attacker’s body.
Step 3) Attack the Attacker
Instead of trying to pull the grab out of your hair, use your free hand and your legs if possible to attack targets you can reach. Often these targets are low (Groin, Inner thigh, Knee, Feet). These strikes will loosen your attacker’s grip better than fighting the grab itself and give you the opportunity to get up and get away.
Competence takes practice and preferably instruction. We’d love to see you and your loved ones at one of our free community self-defense seminars!
Upcoming Free Seminars – May 9 (Mothers Day), June 27, Aug 15, Oct 24