Figure-4(Chicken Wing) Throw: Creating a Reactionary Gap

Author: Odhinn Kohout

Attacks from behind can be tricky mostly due to the fact that you have been completely caught by surprise and there could be an elevated “fear” state which impacts your decisions (response time) and motor-function.

I am providing you with one possible solution using an inverted figure-4 (chicken wing) from the back. You will notice that instead of using the tactics for arrest/control or to submit the Attacker I am using it to throw him.

   

This lock places the pressure completely on the shoulder socket/rotator cuff and also creates a large opening on the side of the lock to use your knee to strike him to the external cutaneous nerve bundle( on the side of the leg facing you) or alternatively the floating ribs, liver etc.

In practice…Do not be “that Guy” and apply this hard to your partner. Leave your ego at home and practice slowly and with 100% commitment to protecting each other during training. Rotator cuffs do care about how tough you are or your ability to “suck it up.” They tear easily with the proper base leverage applied and in this technique the shoulder socket is in fact the fulcrum point for the throw. The vector of force multiplied by some of your weight and his, will cause an injury that will need surgery to repair. I cannot stress this enough…

Train smart Guys!