Counter to front bear hug?

[Tom Keesler]

Does anyone know of a counter to a front "bear hug" other than plate 122 from Wallerstein? As much as I try it, it just doesn't seem to be that effective to me.

[David_Knight]

As in, your hands are pinned to your sides?

[Tom Keesler]

As in, your hands are pinned to your sides?

Yes exactly.

[Jay Vail]

Does anyone know of a counter to a front "bear hug" other than plate 122 from Wallerstein? As much as I try it, it just doesn't seem to be that effective to me.

Make a fist with one hand. Put the fist into your other hand. Press both strongly against the enemy's lower stomach. Keep your own hips back and drop into the balance. This will cause him some discomfort but is really intended to keep his hips away from yours. This will prevent him from lifting you, or forcing you onto your back. Look to see what then develops and take advantage of your opportunities. Especially look for an underbind. A knee to the cods works well here too. You might also get a leg hook out of it or an inner thigh lift.

This technique is a modification of Codex plate 106 and is found in Duerer, which uses the same technique when he grabs you under the arms. It works when he grabs you over the arms as well.

You can also sometimes grab him by the cods.

[Tom Keesler]

Thanks Jay, that's a little more useful for me.

[seneca savoie]

Pummeling for underhooks is probably the most reliable counter to both forms of bearhug from the front.

[Tom Keesler]

Pummeling for underhooks is probably the most reliable counter to both forms of bearhug from the front.

I've seen the term "pummeling" used pretty often in this forum, but I don't have much of a wrestling background...yet.

[seneca savoie]

It's the "swimming" mostion wrestlers will use when they are trying to secure double underhooks(bearhug, hands gable gripped together, your center of gravity is lower than his).

Here's randy couture explaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsItPdM_hvI

[Brent Lambell]

Randy Couture is the man. Thanks for posting that link, I will watch anything with him in there.

[Matt Bryant]

Man, I need to work on more Ringen.

[Tony_Klabunde]

It's the "swimming" mostion wrestlers will use when they are trying to secure double underhooks(bearhug, hands gable gripped together, your center of gravity is lower than his).

Here's randy couture explaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsItPdM_hvI

I do not know of any "Manuel" quotes but I do like Randy explaining "NOT " to let it happen, to take that control away from your opponent.

I find that is some much easier than trying to get out.

[Benjamin Smith]

If you can get a hand free up through the center there is the jaw push/blow shown in Talhoffer's 1467, I think it's page 201 (could be wrong, I'm on lunch break at work). I find this very effective at getting an opponent to break their own grip to defend their head/eyes.

[carlo arellano]

if it is a front bearhug with both your arms pinned you are already in a good position for double underhooks. Move your hips away from your opponent while snaking your hands underneath his armpit, withyour thumbs pointing up rather than having the hands flat and parallel to the floor. Getting your hips away is very important and much mor effective if you do it before the opponent has clasped his hands. Now clasp your own hands near his upper back and now you can bring your hips in and under your shoulders lifting him to break his stance. slide your clasped hands down to his lower back and crimp it into you while driving your face into his chest.

a combination of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJrjRg2bIRw

randy's high clinch position and this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjqzb9TIrss