Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Taking down an aggressor
• Method 2 of 2: Floor an opponent when wrestling
• Expert advice
• Tips
• Warnings

When faced with an opponent, you may need to take the person down to defend yourself. There are several strategies that provide effective ways to take someone down without extensive training. In wrestling, there are several moves specifically designed to bring your opponent to the mat. If you are attacked by someone, using self-defense techniques can neutralize your attacker and knock it to the ground.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Taking down an aggressor

1. Block or avoid an attack from your opponent. If someone attacks you, you have to be prepared to defend yourself.
   • Distance yourself from the attacker so that you are out of reach.
   • Place your arms in front of your face to block any punches.
   • Dive under a punch and prepare for a counterattack.
2. Use the power of your opponent's attack against him. When someone attacks you, you can use the forward momentum of the attack to pull the attacker towards you and to the ground. Using your opponent's momentum against himself is a great way to take on an opponent bigger than you.
   • Sit back, away from the attack.
   • Grab the person's arm or shirt if he / she tries to punch or attack you.
   • Pull the attacker towards you and down.
   • Use your leg to trip the other person as you pull that person towards you.
3. Wipe the feet from under your attacker and work him on his back. With a combination of paw hooks and a push you can let someone fall backwards. This method works well if you are able to put yourself in front of an opponent.
   • Move towards your opponent.
   • Step with one leg next to your attacker.
   • Grab the person by the shoulders and push him or her back.
   • Hook your leg around and behind the other's ankles as you push.
4. Use martial arts such as Tae Kwon Do. Using a combination of defensive moves to dodge your attacker and take down offensively, you can easily take down an opponent.
   • Sign up for a beginner's class in a combat sport at a local gym.
   • Watch instructional videos to see the actual movements.
   • Practice the movements in front of a mirror or with a trained partner.
5. Submit your opponent with a choke hold. To perform a choke hold, you need to be in the right position to grab your opponent. This technique works best if you are moving quickly and can catch someone who is not on his guard. An opponent much taller than you can break free from a choke hold and then quickly throw themselves at you.
   • Wrap your dominant arm around the person's neck as you move behind them.
   • Your elbow should be under the person's chin with your biceps and forearm on either side of the neck.
   • Place your other hand behind the person's head.
   • Squeeze your biceps and forearm together and push the person's head forward with your other arm.
   • Hold this grip for 10-20 seconds and slowly lower the person to the floor.

Method 2 of 2: Floor an opponent when wrestling

1. Watch your opponent. Observe your opponent's movements and how he or she reacts to your movements. Pay attention to those moments when the other person becomes unbalanced or exposes himself, by raising his center of gravity.
   • Move around the mat and keep a constant eye on your opponent.
   • Test your opponent's reactions by moving towards him from different angles.
   • Look for weaknesses in the way the other person responds to your movements.
2. Plan your movement to floor the other. Depending on the type of wrestler you are facing, different moves can have more or less success for flooring an opponent.
   • A "duck under" requires you to move under your opponent's arm as he approaches, then quickly grab him from behind around the waist. Keep one arm straight in front of your opponent as you move behind him. Then wrap your other arm around his waist from behind. Once you get hold of your opponent, flip him over onto the mat by falling back and swinging with you.
   • A "double leg take-down" involves grasping both of your opponent's legs around the middle of the thigh and pulling towards you to force your opponent onto his back. Approach your opponent from the front and grab both legs at the same time. Be careful not to lower your head or you will be vulnerable.
   • Use a "single leg take-down" to quickly grab your opponent's front leg while facing each other - lift that leg off the ground and push it over by attacking the other leg. Grab the leg closest to you and pull it up. Use your feet to sweep his other foot off the mat while pushing him off balance with the leg you are holding.
3. Perform your take-down quickly. Move quickly to prevent your opponent from having time to counter your movement. Slow, hesitant movements are easier to anticipate and block.
   • Don't hesitate and work out your attack to the end.
   • Do not stop your movement until the referee has given the point or an error.
4. Quickly back off to prepare for your next move. After a take-down you have to quickly get back into the correct position. Expect your opponent to counterattack to score against you after a take-down.
   • Put your legs in a defensive position.
   • Prepare to attack your opponent if he creates an opening.
   • Prepare for aggressive moves from your opponent.

Expert advice

• Review these elements before taking someone down: Assess the situation, the attacker and yourself. Think about the severity of the attack - are you fighting for your life, or do you just want to floor someone you think is a jerk to prove you right? Also consider the size and strength of the other person compared to your realistic capabilities.
• If someone attacks you from the front: One technique is a swipe at the eyes or a blow with the bottom of your hand against the nose, followed by a knee to the groin, then a knee to the head. If necessary, you can keep attacking or drop the attacker to the ground.
• Once the attacker is disabled: Look around for other attackers, rate the attacker to make sure he is no longer a threat, and quickly move to a safe place.

Tips

• When wrestling, keep your center of gravity low to avoid being thrown off balance by an opponent.
• Avoid conflict and distance yourself from an attacker as the first option. Only resort to putting someone down if you can't get away.
• Try to keep your opponent on the ground as much as possible so that he / she cannot attack and recover.
• Tries to grab the attacker's wrist and twist it, because it is very easy to keep someone on the ground like this.

Warnings

• Be aware of all rules in your wrestling competition regarding illegal take-downs to avoid fines.
• Don't step on someone's head - this is illegal and could potentially kill the person (and put you in jail).
• Do not use a stranglehold on someone with heart disease or breathing difficulties.
• The use of force can lead to lawsuits. Avoid fighting if at all possible.