You are confronting an opponent in front of you and the opponent has his or her legs apart in a steady stance as shown in the pictures below.

Here is how you can quickly overtake the situation with this self-defense technique.

1. Cover your face with both hands while lowering your body to level up with the opponent’s lower body. Be careful not to look at the ground, but to look forward to watch the opponent’s movements. If the opponent attacks with the knees or feet, be prepared to immediately defend yourself with the hands covering your face.

2. As you crouch down to face the opponent’s legs, wrap your arms around the opponent’s knees while making sure there are no attacks being made to your face. After securing your grip around the knees, push your forehead against the opponent’s stomach with all your strength.

3. While your forehead is pushing at the stomach, use your arms to pull the opponent’s legs instantly. This will cause the opponent’s body to suddenly lose balance and fall backwards.

This technique will throw off the opponent with a shock and therefore it must only be used in emergencies and not on friendly encounters. Please be careful when practicing. Make sure your practice partner has enough of a cushioned area to land when thrown off balance and that you can steady your partner’s upper body to prevent his or her head from hitting the floor.

By Seo Gyo-sun (selfdefense777@gmail.com)

Seo Gyo-sun, an internationally certified Taekwondo Grand Master, judge and coach, holds a B.A. in taekwondo from Kyung Hee University. ― Ed.