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Simple Headlock & Full Nelson Escapes

Easily Break Free

There are some very simple ways to get out of headlocks and full nelsons. The key to all of these self-defense techniques is not focusing on the headlock itself. What you really want to do is attack another part of your attacker’s body, which will either make them unstable (like a strike to the back of the knee), forcing them to release you in order to keep their balance, or distract them with so much pain that they are no longer willing to keep you in the hold.

Escaping a Front Headlock

From the front headlock, all you need to do is collapse his leg by striking the soft part on the back of his knee while also striking his groin with a ridge hand. The combination of these two self-defense moves will simultaneously destabilize him and cause a lot of pain to sensitive areas.

Because of the amount of pain being inflicted to these two very vulnerable spots, this combination of self-defense moves will cause the attacker to almost always release you.

The key to success is escalating the violence and becoming the attacker yourself. The average attacker who puts you into a headlock expects you to try to break free. He is not expecting you to ignore the hold and viciously attack him.

Escaping a Rear Headlock

From a rear headlock you still strike the same targets, but with a different technique. Instead of using your hand, you drive your own knee into the back of his. The groin strike is essentially the same, but from a different angle.

Despite breaking the rule about not attacking the hold itself, the knuckle strike is also an effective self-defense move. It is effective because you are striking the pain-rich area between your attacker’s knuckles and not trying to muscle your way out of the hold (which is a big no no).

See for yourself. Take the knuckles of one hand and drive them in between the knuckles of your other hand. As you can see this is a pretty sensitive area even with the small amount of pressure you used on yourself.

Escaping a Full Nelson

Lastly, let’s cover defending against a full nelson. This is another very simple technique which follows the rules we established earlier and doesn’t attack the hold itself.

Once you are in the full nelson, simply stomp on the top of your attacker’s foot. This can cause excruciating pain and break the small bones in his feet, especially if you are wearing work boots or other sturdy shoes with a small heel. You can also drive the edge of the heel of your boot in between the bones of his feet, which is incredibly painful.

If for some reason the foot stomping doesn’t work (he may be wearing very sturdy boots also), your next move is to reach back and grab a fist full of his hair and pull your arm forward. He will either lose a lot of hair, or (more likely) release the hold and rotate his body towards your motion. At that point you can take him to the ground.

Wrapping Up

These self-defense techniques are so effective because of their extreme simplicity. They all rely on gross motor skills which are quick to learn, easy to remember, and simple to use. You won’t forget these in the heat of the moment, and unlike complex joint locks, these self-defense moves can become instinctual after only a few hours of practice.

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149 thoughts on “Simple Headlock & Full Nelson Escapes”

  3. When someone tries the full nelson simply don’t allow your arms to go up. Hold them tight and stiff to your sides and apply your counter attack in whatever way seems appropriate to what the attacker is now doing.

    Reply

  4. I have only been watching Fight Fast for a couple of months but, I would like to say that I have found more useful information in that short time than my previous 82 years. I was a Marine, Firefighter and Judo player and I have really enjoyed my connection with Fight Fast.
    Thank you so much.

    Gaylord Lane

    Reply

  8. Thanks for publishing your self defense techniques. Please keep ’em coming! Teaching them to my two granddaughters. Both go to college in NYC
    (NYU and St John’s) Both have to navigate the subways and trains in the bowels of NYC.
    It’s been a great help for them, if only
    making them more aware of their surroundings!
    I’m Lethal Force Institute trained–20 years ago.

    Reply

  10. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Even after 20+ years of martial arts trainimg tje information you share ia a good reminder of no rules on the street and survival is key
    Agaon, thank you.

    Reply

  12. Good technique…good video. Bob’s techniques are always direct, simple, and effective…”getter done”. Thanks for the truly free and useful video.

    Reply

  13. another technique i have used for a rear headlock. reach up with your inside arm and strike him in the throat. leave your hand there and with your other hand strike him in the groin. using both strikes in combination, grab his balls and throat stand up lifting the opponent tilting him upside down and drop him on his head. This is better if you have your forearm on his throat. Possible kill, broken neck or big headache. But do finish up !!

    Reply

  16. A great video with a lot of good information in it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us

    Reply

  20. I’m an old man but I feel much safer being able to defend myself. These Videos are great and well worth watching. Thank you.

    Reply

  22. I am a retired U.S.Navy Seal with 10 years of training and service behind me,the only thing I could add is instead of mearly striking the groin use the old school lampshade move.On this you grab hold of the attackers groin,squeeze and pull down as hard as you can. After all you’re not making friends and this will dampen any desire for him to want to even touch it to urinate for several days.

    Reply

  25. Thank you for this video. I have been in this situation far too many times. I like that these moves do not necessarily invite the attacker you know to escalate to more violence. I really appreciate it.

    Reply

  27. I just love all of your video blogs I learn something new every time I can honestly say they are worth every moment of my time purely priceless great job Joe Liguori

    Reply

  28. Loved it i have one for you in the reverse headlock if he is on the left grab groin with right hand and face with left hand pulling head back and lifting up on groin stepping knee in a lunge position busting his back on the way down … Do not try it the result is permanent!!!!!

    Reply

  29. In the army they teach some self defense movement,on the First lesson I was thaugh a variant of tha move but the one on the video is different but easier. On the Full Nelson grab the way we do it is more difficult, I like the one on the video because permits me to bring the opponent to the ground. Than’ks very much, and continue teachig. Than’ks a lot.

    Reply

  31. Good basic moves I have trained for about 40 years and counting I would add these moves work but the most inpotian thing your leaving out ok they work now your free, now your face to face with someone that just had you in a head lock for what ever reason, I sure hope you know more then only this, because I am sure there not done !!!!!!! so just saying train train train do not feel safe getting out of the head lock if your not sure what to do next, thanks for helping people learn

    Reply

  32. Interesting moves but from the full Nelson couldn’t you just extend your arms upward and wriggle out? A female might have an advantage with this because of the narrower and smaller shoulders.

    Reply

  34. Outstanding tips. I have enjoyed them all. This are not taught on the force, you have to be politically correct but you will be all alone at some time on duty or not and these self defense tactics are a must have…. Thank you

    Reply

  35. An excellent yet simple manner to defend and attack in an often utilized situation. When I was younger I used the headlock to control the other person, quickly twist him to the floor and then sitting on him. strike him multiple times in vulnerable areas. In combat I would quickly use the pal of the hand driving the ethmoid bone f the nose into the brain or a deep two thumbed eye gouge.

    Reply

  36. Another thought for the rear headlock ,your right never try to muscle out ,rather try getting 90 degrees to your attacker by stepping forward into a horse stance and pushing into him with your legs this will cause him to widen his stance thus opening up your first target (his groin).

    Reply

  43. Awesome information! I have learned some awesome knowledge! Seems very simply and very effective! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply

  47. ROKs taught me the same thing when I was in NAM nice to see a refresher and well presented too. keep up this type of info because I feel there are those of us out here that will be needing it, and you are doing an excellent job of presenting it GOD BLESS keep the faith and watch your six y’all.

    Reply

  48. I’m an 80 yr old woman; I read and practice all of your videos. If anybody
    tries to bother me,, they’ll know they attacked the wrong grandma!

    Reply