In this article, we will be discussing another great technique that you can use to escape an attacker who has overpowered you and pinned your body to the ground with his own body. Being pinned to the ground by the complete weight of your attacker is a common method adopted by assailants to control you. It is particularly common in sexual assault scenarios where it is used to control and intimidate you.

To continue struggling against someone who is most likely bigger and stronger is futile and wastes a lot of valuable energy. And this may even encourage the attacker to strike sooner, to stop you from struggling. In such a situation, you must use any opportunity you get to regain control.

Even if they release a hand to throw a punch, you need to use that split-second when they pull back to strike, to counterattack. Ensure your reaction is direct and without hesitation, otherwise, you will put them on the defensive. Any pause in your defence will narrow your chances of survival.

With this in mind, let’s look at the most effective moves to handle this threat. First and most importantly, do not PANIC! Stabilise yourself and keep breathing calmly. Next, shock him with a quick bite at any one of his nipples when he is least expecting a counter.

Using biting as a self-defence technique is incredibly brutal and will strike immediate fear and shock into the attacker. This technique is best used while you’re either grappling or on the ground with your attacker and within close range to each other. Ideally, you want to bite the attacker’s face/neck, but biting their fingers, inside of the elbows, or nipples will be just as effective.

Another technique you can use is, to tightly grip the fleshy part between the thumb and the bent index finger and squeeze as hard as you can. This area gives you access to the radial nerve. So, any unexpected pressure in this area will most likely cause a lot of pain while making your attacker lose his composure and weaken his grip. This will make him rush to move away from your body immediately. That should give you the split-second you need to flee the scene and get yourself some help.

Make sure you practise these moves daily with a willing partner or in front of a mirror, so you don’t panic and/or freeze when this happens in real life. If you enjoyed reading about these techniques in self-defence, do check out our other blogs. Do share these blogs with friends and family, or with anyone who you think will find the information useful.