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How to Take Down Your Attacker If You Get Cornered

Escaping the Corner

It goes without saying that being cornered is not ideal in a self-defense scenario. Luckily, there are a number of ways to turn the tables on your attacker. In this video lesson, Ray Ellingsen shows you how to escape this deadly scenario using a distraction technique that leads into a brutal takedown.

Breaking It Down

As Ray explained in the video above, using a joint lock can be a very effective technique in this type of situation. The key to pulling this off is using an effective distraction technique. No attacker is going to just let you put him into a joint lock, so a distraction technique such as the open palm strike is crucial for this technique to work.

Keep in mind that the open palm strike is one of many possible distraction techniques for this kind of situation. You can also use a knee to the groin, a head-butt, or even spit in his face.

In fact, I would probably recommend using something other than the open palm strike simply because it will allow you to trap his hand right as you distract him, lowering the risk that he will release his hand or step back.

Trap Your Attacker

Another thing to keep in mind is that this self-defense technique will only work if your attacker is holding onto you. This is where the trapping technique comes in. Holding his hand against your body is essential if you want this move to work. The best thing to do his distract and trap his hand simultaneously.

After you have applied the joint lock and have taken your attacker to the ground, there are many self-defense techniques you can use to end the fight(such as dropping a knee into his groin), but most importantly you will no longer be cornered and you will have created a clear escape route.

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206 thoughts on “How to Take Down Your Attacker If You Get Cornered”

  4. Maybe it’s just because the move was performed at a reduced speed, but there appeared to be an issue with the time and motion required to go from the open palm strike to encircling the arm to set up the joint lock.
    I can envision a seriously P.O.’ed bad guy snapping his head back from the initial strike too fast to allow me to set up the joint lock.
    Bob

    Reply

  5. Most folks are right handed so would it be better to joint lock his right arm. Or is it easier to perform on his left with your right?
    Thanks, Mick

    Reply

    1. Hey Mick,
      I would recommend practicing this move both ways. Which arm you choose will depend almost entirely on the situation. I agree with you that given the choice I would try to lock up his right hand, but I’d take whichever I could get in the situation.

      Reply

  6. thought it was a shoulder was a sweet wrist nice move will try that tomorrow, thank you bob still looking at those 7 dvds man sweet stuffmikeeee likeee

    Reply

  7. That looks like a really good move I would like to practice that myself, thankyou very much for posting this video.

    Reply

  8. Your writeups, especially your videos, are enlightening, very much appreciated, accomplish the desired goals, and are an untold service to your citizen audience, to say the very least!

    In as much as I would like to enroll in any of your programs, I am a retired individul with limited income and have a ‘tight budget’!

    In any case, I will continue to look forward to your continued incoming e-mails with anticipation.

    I have and will forward your efforts to those persons who are prone to have the same outlook as I have, and hopefully enrollments from them will follow.

    Wish all good health, and future successes.

    ALF

    Reply

  9. I appreciate these free videos (to supplement the DVD’s I’ve already ordered), but all the demonstrations appear as though the perp has only one hand to use. Could he not have reached Mr. Ellingsen’s ear or hair with that free hand? Just wonderin’. Thanks so much for all this great information. Wish I had had it before I was attacked.

    Reply

  13. Too complicated. With repeated practice, this could work, but if you’re thinking, “Let’s see, what’s next after pushing his face? Is it grabbing his wrist? which wrist? with one hand?, which hand? or is it both hands?” No, this technique, and similar techniques, would never work without first ingraining them in your muscle memory and frequently refreshing that memory. And it’s only for one situation. How many such tricks is one supposed to learn, and relearn, and relearn? Not practical for the ordinary man who doesn’t go around looking for fights, or unnecessarily exposing himself to potentially dangerous situations.

    Reply

  14. THE ARM LOCK LOOKS GOOD AND EFFECTIVE. THERE IS ONE FLAW THOUGH. IF YOU CAN SEE IT AGAIN IN SLOW MOTION, THE PERSON THAT IS BEING CORNERED IS AT THE SAME DISADVANTAGE AS THE BULLY. IF THE VICTIM DOESN’T DO THIS ARM LOCK WITH ENOUGH SPEED, HE OR SHE CAN ALSO BE TAKEN DOWN WITH THE SAME LOCK.

    Reply

  16. I love the lock with a training partner or a weaker attacker but, with a equally strong or stronger attacker it seems to me that you would have to take a good bit of damage going for the lock with the possibility of getting ko’d before you get the lock in place. I think striking him with the palm is going to wake him up to the fact that the situation is escalating from a shoving match to striking. In the video “after” the palm strike from a weakened position you are totally exposing yourself to strikes from his dominate hand when you use both of your hands for the lock. Thoughts?

    Reply

  17. ENJOYED THE VIDEO. THANKS FOR SENDING. YOU DO A GREAT JOB HELPING THE OLD AND SMALL

    DEFEND THEMSELVES. MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THIS TYPE OF COMBAT EXISTS. THANKS

    Reply

  18. If you strike him with enough force it shouldn’t matter what arm you take…his pain will be twofold…

    Reply

  19. Too complex. Bob even said he would do it differently, so why even show this video? Start with a knee to the groin or stomp to the shin/foot, or both with the same leg. Then, once you’ve delivered the palm to the face, forget his arms, grab his eyes with the palm strike and back of his head with free hand and twist him to the ground by the neck. Or if your intent is escape, knee to groin, foot scrape down his shin, palm/claw eyes then push past and run. I see so many variations which are easier, and quicker and more effective, and I’m not even an instructor. Just a kid who has been backed into a lot of corners by a lot of different bullies.

    Reply

  20. I’ve always had issues when I see a move like this one. It’s leaving a pissed off man with a free arm, who’s not leaving it idle while you put a move on him. Get big……stay big……so people won’t fuck with…..a poker bluff at best!

    Reply

  23. Good point C and observation by Gary. Some practice would bring more understanding of the timing involved and whether the oponent would have time to strike while you are going for the lock and that would also depend on how well practced and facile you were at getting the lock. Still its good to have one possibility of getting out of a tough situation. Look forward to practicing it. Thanks Ray.

    Reply

  24. i am 5’9 and 196lbs,and not to slow,i trained with this and had some very bigger men than me avoid the pain of that take down and hard strike to the face’while this is going on’they used there left arm’and hand to reach up and grab my neck with a tiger strike,in those seconds my hands are busy,i have also been jabed in the eye with the left hand,even hit in the ear’upper cut to the gut even,hummmm…

    Reply

  26. I like this video. Very educational. And i would also practice this with different distractions as well. Enjoyed the whole page. Thanks for the info Bob.

    , Jose

    Reply

  29. Ray, Very good defencive move alsome take down this is a move were they say. Is he going to let me go or am i going to the hospital with a broken elbow and wrist.

    Reply

  30. excellent move. i have used variations of this move for years. check out a move called the top wristlock in greco-roman wrestling. i use a variation from the the karate style high block. while the arm is in contact, slip your arm behind his elbow and grab your own wrist. it also helps with a major outside reap foot sweep takedown (osoto-gari) in judo. thanks.

    Reply

  33. I like this one. As with all the moves that you send us in the form of freebies, they will do no good unless they are practiced with a partner. During practice, any problems should become apparent. Please continue supplying these tips and tricks as they are extremely valuable should the need arise. At the very least, it will surprise the perp, thinking you are a vulnerable target. Otherwise, he would not have picked you in the first place. I am also teaching my daughter and my grandson these moves that you supply. My daughter is a retail manager and must cross a dark parking lot after dark and feels much safer knowing some of these tricks. So your stuff is greatly appreciated.

    Reply

  34. How practical is it to get the arm palm up with the elbow over the shoulder so that you can snap the elbow joint by pulling down the upward facing palm?

    Reply

  35. Hey nice move would like to practice these moves
    with anyone who is interested . Anyone live in the inland empire California?
    You can also wrap your arm around both of his arms
    without the distraction move then you have both arms
    trapped, then you can slam him into wall or on ground.

    Reply

  36. just as another posted said anytime you use a joint lock and in particular putting your two hands on the attackers one hand you open youself up to get pummeled by the attackers off hand.

    So be fast be good or being turning away from that hand and be prepared to put that lock on with everything you have droppping your weight like a 10,000 pound elevator that just had a cable break

    keep up the good work / tips as very smart self defense tips

    Reply

  37. That close,a knee,groin kick,head butt,wrist lock,will also work!! Good moves to know!! More options means better attacks!!!

    Reply

  38. Excellent move, Mr. Ellingsen! That would work for women too in some circumstances. FightFast guys, we women need to see a scenario where a man attacks at your car or
    in a parking lot. How could a woman escape if her arm was twisted behind her back or if
    the guy was threatening with a knife. We know to never go to a secondary location. Stand and take what is coming to you right where you are, but we want a fighting chance to turn the tables on a rapist or domestic situation. Is a small club with exposed nails
    illegal to carry? A homicide detective said make one and carry it. Thanks so much again for all the great free self defense tips for those of us with limited incomes! You are saving lives.
    Sunny

    Reply

  41. Excellent move for police officers and prison guards. Personally, my natural reaction to this attack would be quick palm strikes to the face and a hard knee to the knackers. Perhaps a strike to the sternum sliding up for a trachea hold. Very much appreciated, Bob.

    Reply

  42. Excellent tip! Thank you, Mr. Ellingsen! Girls might manage to get away with that move! Thanks again for all the free life saving tips from Fightfast Group!
    Sunny

    Reply

  46. I am in a wheelchair, what do I do if I get
    attacked? I’m paralyzed from the nipples
    down therefore I have no core balance plus
    I have a 4-5 inch twist in my spine. Can you please help me?

    Reply

  50. I love this move. I think I will add an ear slap instead of an open palm just to disorient him or her a little more. Great move

    Reply
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