This technique can be used as the front headlock is set or as your opponent is in the process of applying the hold.  The attacking animal strategy is snake (all grabs/holds/chokes are) and we are using the viper aspect of snake (fangs) in the form of a ridgehand to neutralize this attack.

Lesson 1:  Weapon proximity.  Our ridgehand is close to their groin so that makes it an excellent "first responder" to deal with the threat.  The closer a weapon already happens to be to a target then the faster it arrives and the less likely it is to be blocked or avoided.  "Good now"  wins over "better later."

Lesson 2. Sometimes instead of addressing a hold directly at first, we are better off simply to cause pain.  At a minimum, it will help distract their focus from applying the hold (and our counter measures to escape the hold) and it is possible that the blow will be disabling enough to where no other action is required.  

Lesson 3.  The left pinning check to their R. knee at the beginning of the technique is an important initial check and also helps prepare the leg for being locked later (our transfer of weight into our left pushdown block on the knee encourages the leg to lock which checks both the their leg we are contacting from striking us both with the that weight on the knee it also helps cancel out the other leg from kicking or kneeing because they would fall down if they attempted.)  Often a slight adjustment back with our left foot will set the distance more naturally for our right foot to advance forward into our close kneel.

Lesson 4.  The follow up after the ridgehand teaches a take down through applying a lock against their right knee.  This uses the concept of opposing forces which is used wether you are locking a knee joint, an elbow, etc.  We put pressure against the joint to lock it while stabilizing or counter pressing against the end of the lever that the joint is attached to.  In this case, our left hand cupping behind their heel while our right forearm puts pressure right above the knee to lock it.  

PLEASE NOTE:  They do not fall down because we lift their foot off the mat but rather they put themselves down in an attempt to avoid the pain in their knee from the lock.  The pain motivates the movement.  It takes far less effort to lock a knee then to lift up somebody with one hand while kneeling on the ground!  As they fall to avoid the pain, our left hand which was bracing and perhaps pulling behind their heel does lift their leg up -- exposing the groin for a stomp and just as importantly checking the leg against launching an attack as they fall.

Methods of Drill.

1. Although the left pushdown block as a check on their right knee happens immediately, new students often are slow to coordinate this action while also trying to execute the ridgehand.  I highly recommend drilling the opening attack (right ridgehand to the groin) until that portion is second nature before adding the additional check.  Likewise, make sure these two moves together are natural and can be applied with confidence before adding the leg locking takedown and stomp.  THE INITIAL MOVEMENT IN ANY TECHNIQUE IS THE MOST CRITICAL! 

2. The knee lock is an equally valid movement for stand up fighting. Drill blocking and trapping an opponent's mid level or high kick and then applying the knee lock.  Work on both right and left sides.

3. Take the concept of weapon proximity and drill with your partners  a variety of attacks while we sample different points of origins (starting positions) trying to pick logical stikes that allow you to hit a close target with a weapon that is conveniently available nearby.

4.  Learn how to properly apply a front headlock so that your body weight  is leveraging the hold and that the pressure is applied (controlled) to the wind pipe and the one side of the carotid artery. My left hand should help winch the hold in and not simply be hanging out.  The better you understand the attack the better you can train to neutralize it.  

5. Use a focus mitt or twin kicking target (those tear shaped bags) to train the ridgehand strike to the groin.  Make sure you keep a bend in your right arm when hitting.

What's in a name?  Our ridgehand (ridge meaning the backside of a sword) is used to slice our opponent's groin (testicles with a little imagination could be compared to peaches...)
 


Comments

Michael Ernst
08/28/2011 01:32

While I agree that it is sometimes better to immediately cause pain, thus addressing the person behind the hold rather than the hold directly, I think it is simply too dangerous to do so with holds near the head or neck. A wrestling style front head lock is designed and applied to control posture and position. A front choke (aka guillotine) does these things as well, but can also cause extreme pain, unconsciousness, and possibly death in matter of seconds. This makes the choke variation a much more serious attack. The sad fact is, unless you are a mind reader, there is no way of know which variation your opponent is attempting before it is too late.
This attack is a case where a less skilled opponent can actually be more dangerous. A skilled wrestler will use the position to take you down, apply pressure, and control you, but may not actively try to choke or otherwise injure you with it. A skilled submission artist will apply the choke with more pressure on the carotid arteries, thus restricting blood flow, and causing unconsciousness faster than can finish reading this sentence. The good news is that if he chooses to release the hold and then leave you alone, you are likely to wake up with no permanent injuries. An unskilled opponent is most likely to simply drive the blade of his forearm up into your windpipe. Direct pressure to the trachea is extremely painful and can incapacitate you almost instantly. Because this move does not restrict blood flow, you will likely not lose consciousness. Even if you are able to escape or the opponent releases the hold, you windpipe may be crushed and you may end up suffocating.

It is my belief that this technique is best applied as a preemptive action while the opponent is going for the hold. If he is able to establish any type of hold, your first priority must be to protect your neck. Assuming the opponent has his right arm under your chin, this can be done by inserting a left crane hand between his arm and your neck (closer to the wrist the better) while simultaneously tucking your chin and turning your head to the left. Tucking the chin protects the windpipe and turning the head prevents his forearm from grinding into the sensitive areas of your face. Even when using the knee check and ridgehand preemptively, I tuck and turn to protect my neck and face. If the ridgehand fails to incapacitate the opponent, I abandon the knee check with my left in favor of the crane hand, and perform a knee check with my right hand instead. It’s worth mentioning that the knee check not only protects you from strikes, but also restricts the opponent’s ability to perform the choke. In order to get maximum leverage he has to bring his hips forward and the knee check is very effective in preventing that. Once the immediate danger is passed you can then progress with the rest of the technique or some other course of action.

Lastly, while the takedown in this technique is a great example of opposing forces, it usually requires the initial knee check to fully lock out the knee, the opponent to be still reeling from ridgehand, or both in order to be effective. If the opponent’s knee isn’t locked out, you will not likely have the mechanical advantage necessary to lock the knee and finish the takedown due to his leg being bigger and stronger than your arm. I suggest including in your method of drill alternate takedown methods to use as a backup plan. For example you can cup the heel with both hands and drive into his knee with your shoulder, or experiment and applying pressure at different angles to buckle the knee rather than lock it out.

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