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A lot of folks talk about carrying weapons or improvising weapons for self defense, but an often overlooked weapon is the one you're standing on. The ground.
In an urban environment it's either solid concrete or rough bitumen and when combined with the natural force of gravity, becomes a potent weapon.
https://youtu.be/oP9X2PHIx3o
Seoi nage (shoulder throw)
Even if your attacker escapes injury from a throw, it leaves you in a dominant position with them on their back. Giving you time to follow up with strikes, ground techniques, restraint techniques, to face other attackers or flee.
Mastering the throwing arts like judo and Japanese jujitsu can take a lifetime, but if you only focus on a couple of throws you can become quite proficient in a short amount of time with a bit of practise.
Hicks Law teaches us that when somebody is faced with making a decision, the greater the number of potential choices, the longer it will take for him to make a choice. Therefore I recommend that people should have 2 throws well practised. One for when you have the momentum going forwards and one for when your opponent is pushing you back. This keeps things simple when deciding which technique to use.
Throws should be utilised at the earliest opportunity in a confrontation, but you need to be close to an attacker to make them happen. In hand to hand combat the danger area is the distance of a punch. If you're out of range of a punch they can't hit you, if you're so close that you're within hugging range, their punches lack knockout power. The trick is to close that distance as quickly as possible with a solid defense.
In a self defense scenario your opponent will most likely be closing the distance for you (trying to strike you) so instead of shelling up and retreating, shell up and move forward into him. I recommend Tony Blauers SPEAR technique (google it) or....
https://youtu.be/FAxVeMHY_Gs
Closing for a throw
Once you have closed the distance you need to immediately take control of your attacker and begin the throw. If you pause too long your attacker can either create distance and continue striking or worse, take you down to the concrete first.
If you maintain the momentum of your entry, forcing your attacker backwards an Osoto gari (large outer reap) is an ideal throw. It is often the first throw taught in judo and jujitsu and relatively easy to do. The theory is simple: force the attackers weight on to one leg and then kick that leg out from under him.
https://youtu.be/1JL1Hw7M3cU
Osoto gari (large outer reap)
If you close the distance and the attacker forces you backwards, as is often the case if he is swinging a punch, then a different throw is required. Harai goshi (sweeping hip throw) with a Koshi garuma (head wheel) is a favourite of mine as it is one of the most powerful throws and is effective even if your technique is off. It also starts with a headlock which is a natural bad habit of most amatures (myself included!).
https://youtu.be/0gzk4M3OA0U
Harai goshi (sweeping hip throw) /Koshi garuma (head wheel)
Power can be added to this throw by "side kicking" the throwing leg instead of sweeping with it.
Both throws will smash your attacker into the concrete and ideally leave you in a dominant position.
If you are new to throws then find some in depth videos on the above techniques and a friend to practice with. I have only included short videos in this post for brevity. Concentrate on foot placement with both throws, this is fundamental to making them work. I recommend doing it on a soft surface like mats or thick lawn. Knowing how to "side breakfall" will reduce the pain when your buddy throws you!
https://youtu.be/SISaUno7KTM
Side break fall
Anyone out there have a favourite throw?
In an urban environment it's either solid concrete or rough bitumen and when combined with the natural force of gravity, becomes a potent weapon.
https://youtu.be/oP9X2PHIx3o
Seoi nage (shoulder throw)
Even if your attacker escapes injury from a throw, it leaves you in a dominant position with them on their back. Giving you time to follow up with strikes, ground techniques, restraint techniques, to face other attackers or flee.
Mastering the throwing arts like judo and Japanese jujitsu can take a lifetime, but if you only focus on a couple of throws you can become quite proficient in a short amount of time with a bit of practise.
Hicks Law teaches us that when somebody is faced with making a decision, the greater the number of potential choices, the longer it will take for him to make a choice. Therefore I recommend that people should have 2 throws well practised. One for when you have the momentum going forwards and one for when your opponent is pushing you back. This keeps things simple when deciding which technique to use.
Throws should be utilised at the earliest opportunity in a confrontation, but you need to be close to an attacker to make them happen. In hand to hand combat the danger area is the distance of a punch. If you're out of range of a punch they can't hit you, if you're so close that you're within hugging range, their punches lack knockout power. The trick is to close that distance as quickly as possible with a solid defense.
In a self defense scenario your opponent will most likely be closing the distance for you (trying to strike you) so instead of shelling up and retreating, shell up and move forward into him. I recommend Tony Blauers SPEAR technique (google it) or....
https://youtu.be/FAxVeMHY_Gs
Closing for a throw
Once you have closed the distance you need to immediately take control of your attacker and begin the throw. If you pause too long your attacker can either create distance and continue striking or worse, take you down to the concrete first.
If you maintain the momentum of your entry, forcing your attacker backwards an Osoto gari (large outer reap) is an ideal throw. It is often the first throw taught in judo and jujitsu and relatively easy to do. The theory is simple: force the attackers weight on to one leg and then kick that leg out from under him.
https://youtu.be/1JL1Hw7M3cU
Osoto gari (large outer reap)
If you close the distance and the attacker forces you backwards, as is often the case if he is swinging a punch, then a different throw is required. Harai goshi (sweeping hip throw) with a Koshi garuma (head wheel) is a favourite of mine as it is one of the most powerful throws and is effective even if your technique is off. It also starts with a headlock which is a natural bad habit of most amatures (myself included!).
https://youtu.be/0gzk4M3OA0U
Harai goshi (sweeping hip throw) /Koshi garuma (head wheel)
Power can be added to this throw by "side kicking" the throwing leg instead of sweeping with it.
Both throws will smash your attacker into the concrete and ideally leave you in a dominant position.
If you are new to throws then find some in depth videos on the above techniques and a friend to practice with. I have only included short videos in this post for brevity. Concentrate on foot placement with both throws, this is fundamental to making them work. I recommend doing it on a soft surface like mats or thick lawn. Knowing how to "side breakfall" will reduce the pain when your buddy throws you!
https://youtu.be/SISaUno7KTM
Side break fall
Anyone out there have a favourite throw?
