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Wastelander
Wastelander's picture
Headlock Defense

Hello, everyone!

This week's Waza Wednesday takes a look at the headlock which, as we see it, has three primary threats involved--punches, chokes, and throws. We have several different techniques we work in dealing with headlocks, so this is just one of them, but they all have to address those three threats. This one, because it includes a takedown, also covers the need for quick extrication should you be dragged down with the opponent.

Paul_L
Paul_L's picture

Nice. I like the fact that you were totally compliant during the demo. Just enough resistance to make them work to get out, but not so much that they have to injure you to do it.

I really enjoy practicing self defence when you have a partner who is in for a bit of mutual rough and tumble.

Wastelander
Wastelander's picture

Paul_L wrote:

Nice. I like the fact that you were totally compliant during the demo. Just enough resistance to make them work to get out, but not so much that they have to injure you to do it.

I really enjoy practicing self defence when you have a partner who is in for a bit of mutual rough and tumble.

Thanks, Paul! There is always a balance that has to be struck with videos like this. If I resist too much, then things tend to get too ugly to effectively get the point across of how the technique works. If I don't resist enough, things may happen that wouldn't in reality, or people will simply discredit it as not being effective because the demonstration didn't include resistance (which is a fallacy, in my opinion, but people do it). This is usually the same type of resistance I use when he teaches in class, for the same reasons. Sometimes he will ask for more or less, depending on what he is trying to illustrate while teaching. Then, of course, we get to resist more fully in training, which is always fun!

Paul_L
Paul_L's picture

You probably guessed but I meant not totally compliant. I need to check what I type better!

But, yes, nice balance struck there. I agree. I think some people don't consider that if you know what's coming you can be much better at preventing your partner from performing the technique unless they cause you serious pain or injury, which is not what we want in training. This wouldn't be the case in a real situation where the agressor thinks that they are in a dominant position and you are helpless against them.