Defence Against a Head Lock
A real-world breakdown of defending against a rear head lock. This technique focuses on protecting your airway, lowering your base, attacking the attacker’s balance, and finishing in a safer position. The goal is not sport — the goal is survival and escape.
▶ Watch Full Video BreakdownWhat Is Happening In The Photos
The sequence demonstrates a rear head lock scenario where the attacker wraps the arm around the defender’s head and upper body to break posture and restrict movement.
- Stage 1: The attacker secures the head and begins pulling forward to break balance.
- Stage 2: The defender immediately lowers their centre of gravity and protects the neck.
- Stage 3: Instead of fighting the arm with strength, the defender attacks the attacker’s base by controlling the leg.
- Stage 4: The attacker loses balance and is driven to the ground.
- Stage 5: The defender stabilises on top in a safer controlling position.
The attacker wraps around the head from behind. Posture is broken.
Immediate priority is protecting breathing space and stabilising.
Do not panic or try to yank your head free.
The defender bends the knees and drops weight.
A lower base prevents being lifted or dragged.
Balance is now being rebuilt.
Instead of pulling backward, the defender captures the attacker’s leg.
This removes the attacker’s structural base.
Once balance is compromised, control shifts.
The defender drives through and lands on top.
The objective is a safer position — not prolonged engagement.
From here, disengage and create distance.
Quick Knowledge Check
✅ Correct. Airway protection and base come first.
❌ Not quite. Structure and breathing safety must come first.
⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional training.
Head locks and chokes are high-risk situations. Techniques should only be practised
under qualified supervision. In the UK, force must be reasonable and proportionate
to the threat as you honestly perceive it.
