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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.

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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”

  1. Lots of folks here are saying the bad guy will punch you or move away or even put YOU in the lock when you try this. This assumes that (A)the bad guy is thinking 2 moves ahead (B)he knows what you’re doing (C)he knows how to reverse the lock and apply it to you (D)you’re doing the technique slowly.

    Chances are that a thug who pushes you into a corner will already be striking if that’s his intent. And chances are that he does not expect a counterattack from you– he would not have grabbed you and thrown you against a wall in the first place unless he felt like he had the advantage (bullies only attack someone if they think they can take them.)So you have the surprise advantage and the tactical advantage.

    Additionally, once that lock in engaged and you apply it, the pain will be a great de-motivator for the attacker to do anything but comply. It’s amazing how extreme pain takes the fight out of a bully. (Ask any experienced bouncer or bodyguard.)

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  2. Good moves, but there would be a couple of things I would add to insure compliance, plus a “cover” (Ed Parker IKKA term) which is both a defense and a strike.
    During the distraction step, a knee strike to the groin as the hand slap goes across. Quick up and back. This would also cover your groin from him attempting to do the same. This would also assist getting the left arm into position. His body reaction from the grab and pushing you into the wall is going to leave his central core open, since a two handed push requires a two leg push for balance and power. Your knee/groin strike is going to create a body reaction of wanting to curl up and head coming down. Personally, I would use an eye claw on the way out of this move, just to keep his mind busy in case he had planned (or trained) to be thinking several moves ahead.

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  4. Good teaching’s , looks like it would work in a pinch . thank you ,and keep sending your short lesson , I think their Great !

    E. T.

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  8. Nice quick technique. If you’re new to Fight Fast I’d like to say it’s a great place to learn skills that can keep you safe. These people are the real deal. You’d be surprised at how you automatically react to an attacker using something you’ve watched from their videos. I highly recommend their teachers. Bye the way, once your attacker sees that you know something, they’re quick to leave you alone. They don’t expect something from the guy or girl who doesn’t look tough.

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  14. A very good technique, but I think it can be improved. Firstly, use the left hand for the palm shot, allowing the right to go immediately for trapping the attacker’s left wrist: it’s much quicker. Also, I would aim it to drive the nose-bone upward, not into the jaw, as it’s much more effective (painful).

    I agree with CD that a knee shot to the groin would be a useful addition at this point. (Clearly, we both come from an IKKA background). I’m not certain that it can be done simultaneously with the palm shot, as that is better with the support of both legs on the ground, but straight after works fine.

    Oh, and having taken the opponent down, never forget the head kick/stomp(s) until they’re unconscious. There’s no point in taking them down then letting them get back up, madder than before, to attack you again.

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  15. This move in a way reminds me of a Judo move. I have a rare book by Jack Dempsey when he was instructing marines during World War 2 on how to fight hand-to-hand combat. He uses a similar move. But, I have a question. What do you do if a guy gets his face right up in your face, almost touching your nose with his and dares you to throw the first punch? Happened to me but the guy eventually backed down. I realize I shouldn’t have let him get that close but I didn’t want to be accused of throwing the first punch. What do you suggest I do if it happens again?

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  18. This looks like a great defense in such a situation. How would it work out in the open? Too bad it won’t work when grabbed from behind. How about when you are seated in a wheel chair? (I can only walk a little bit.)

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  19. When your attacker grabs you, i can see where he could overpower you. Having an effective distraction technique, might cause him to release his grip slightly, giving you an opportunity. *(I like that joint lock)…

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  25. Unfortunately the people I have seen backed into a corner weren’t just being held. They were also being beaten severely in the face as they were moved to a wall or corner. The fights I have seen where someone got cornered they were beaten into the corner. When someone grabs you with their left hand it tends to block the power from your right hand. You can’t get in a head but when you are being held at arms length and spitting in their face won’t stop the fist from hitting you. It might just make matters worse. If it’s a pushing match, you can probably use this method. If he is holding you and beating your face to a pulp in a corner you had better go for the eyes or throat. Providing his arms aren’t longer than yours.

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  33. I have been learning these moves before but this is really good to refreshing my memory and even get a few moves on I haven’t seen yet . Id like to save tgese lessons some how .

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  36. Excellent and efficient escape and control move. Thanks for sharing it.

    If you feel in serious danger from multiple attackers and just want to just end it with the initial attacker, when making the distraction move, use a palm strike to push the attacker’s nose to the side to injure or up and into the head to drive the nasal cartilage into the brain for a killing move and major intimidation “warning” to attacker’s accomplices, to give you time to bless the place with your absence. The latter option can create real legal issues/complications if there are witnesses and/or the attackers know who you are, so use observation skills, wisdom and intelligence…quickly.

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  37. Jeff, re guy directly in your face…he has invaded your safety zone. See previous video this site for effective and correctly done head butt…top of your head into his face while holding his head in position with your hands…done as a surprise first strike it’s very effective…and works from a wheel chair, too. If in a wheel chair or walking disabled, end the fight with first strike…you can’t get away and you cant sustain a fight, so end it effectively once you realize the threat to your life and/or safety. If in a wheel chair and you can kick, a kick to their groin, or hard “slap” followed by knee or pulling their face (grab shirt collar) nose or eye first into your wheel chair arm rest could give you some intimidation factor and possibly cause them to leave or give you time to roll away…but warily. An air horn on your chair could also help you with surprise factor and to get attention for possible help from others…like I, who would come to your aid in such a scenario.

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  40. Thanks for sharing well done. This world is full of trouble. I’m a martial artist it’s cool to have control don’t always have to injure,yet if it comes to my life or the others I must make it quickly.

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  42. Things like this would probably be best for an old man like me,(81) and would allow me to scram out of the area. THANKS — M. K. S.

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  43. This is a very effective and useful technique. I spent over 10 years in civilian L.E. and have use this or a variation of the move many times, never has it failed. It’s good to see realistic, useable moves that the average person can learn and apply quickly. Love the training videos.

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  44. Good move, and it’s simple. You can use an array of distractions and strikes to turn the tables. I like the ideal awareness of Ray Ellingsen in using the palm strike, then taking command of the attacker. “Get your hands off of me.”

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  47. I’ve always practiced in ways that make certain that the technique will work on the street. Focus is so important, I enjoy the daily practice. I made more friends when I worked the door (bouncing) I quickly Tied people in knots with out having to hurt them seriously but they we’re well aware I had their life in my hands. Great job. I’ve actually found success in many occasions with at least 20 different techniques, details in clear balance and pressure. Pray I never underestimate any opponent, careful not to give a sucker an even break.

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  48. Dave as quickly as the trap is applied he has so much leverage, the free arm won’t mean much while your breaking the wrist and dislocation of the shoulder. Depending on how hard you practice.

    Reply