In this article, we will be discussing another effective technique that you can use to escape an attacker who has grabbed you by the collar of your shirt. It is common practice for experienced attackers to grab or touch their victims with the non-dominant hand before striking with their strong hand.

If your attacker knows what he is doing, he can really control your balance by your collar and even jerk down on it, so that you’re off-balance for much of the encounter. 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 with strong legs to ensure a powerful blow and keep breathing calmly.

Next, use the space of time before your opponent throws a punch to quickly grab the muscle that connects his chest and armpit. Applying pressure to this area is sure to cause the attacker immense pain and a numb sensation in the hand; making him lose control of that side of his body as you lift him upwards because of the squeeze.

This will give you that 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.