Take hold, Be bold: Self defence: Back choke hold

Back choke hold is a very powerful and super-difficult to escape, is performed by placing one arm around a person’s throat from behind, using the biceps area and the inner forearm of that arm against the carotid arteries on either side of the neck. The hand of that choking arm hooks into the inside elbow of the other arm , which goes behind the neck, locking it in. The assailant presses the hand of the locking arm forward against the back of the victim’s head to cinch it tighter. If you are aware of your surroundings and know the principles in this book, however, you are unlikely to succumb to this deadly hold.

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There are a number of escapes to combat this technique before the attacker can fully apply it (not all of them may be available in a particular circumstance):

1. Stick your arm in front of your neck and tuck your chin as someone attempts to apply the lock. Your arm will prevent a solid lockdown as well as elbow strike the attacker (figure 10.2b). This is what the fright reaction is for. You can now use your free hand to reach back and gouge out his eyes, which usually causes a release.
2. Slam the assailant’s groin with a chop or hammer fist.
If you find yourself fully in the grip of this hold because of various factors, such as being attacked by multiple assailants or being stunned by a blow to the head, you could attempt one or more of the following releases. (When practicing them, have your partner hold with full power without pressing on your arteries.) You must perform the releases in under three seconds.
1. Turn your chin into the crook of the choking arm. Simultaneously, raise your shoulders and bear down with your chin to relieve some of the choking pressure. Try to bite the attacker’s forearm.
2. While holding the fingers of the attacker’s front hand, practice reaching backward and peeling the fingers off the arm that is behind your head. This will make the choke weaker if you are standing or being pulled off your feet.
3. When an attacker feels you releasing his grip, he may try to change tactics. You must seize the opportunity and instantly twist out of the choke.
Remember, you can easily be killed with this choke. It’s you or him. Eye-gouge to maximum effect. If necessary, push your fingers into his eye to hit the brain.