How to Get Out of a Headlock

Co-authored by Derrek Hofrichter

Last Updated: June 19, 2024 Approved

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A headlock is a very powerful submission hold. When your attacker or opponent initiates an attempt, you must exert maximum effort to escape. With a few key tactics, you can almost always elicit some sort of resignation, even if your attacker is larger than you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Escaping a Side Headlock

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Turn into your opponent's body so your airway is no longer constricted.^{[1]
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Research source} This will allow you to breathe so you can escape the headlock.
2
Stun your attacker. Use your hand closest to the front of your attacker's body to strike their testicles (if your attacker is male). Also try to strike your opponent in the gut or ribs with your elbow. Striking your attacker in the gut and ribs works for both male and female attackers.
- Keep your outside hand free to attack their testicles, or to protect your face if your attacker tries to hit you.^{[2]
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- If it is a life-or-death situation, biting is totally on the table and it is an excellent way to injure an attacker if they are not set up properly.
- However, do be aware that if they have you in a proper chokehold (elbow joint is aligned vertically with your esophagus, and their choking-arm hand is on their opposite bicep, with their opposite hand on the base of your skull), attempting to bite will give them an easy chance to pull your neck towards themself, rendering you unconsciousness.
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3
Reach to your attacker's head. Use your outer arm to reach around and up to your attacker's face. If this is a life-or-death situation, use your fingers to try and gouge their eyes, reach underneath their nose with your hand or fingers to pull their head back, or reach underneath their chin with your hand to pull their head back.^{[3]
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Research source} Keep your other hand on the arm or hand that was head-locking you.
- The body has to follow the head. That is why pulling their head back will render them unbalanced.^{[4]
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  Research source}
4
Stand up and attack. As you pull back your attacker's head, stand straight up to disarm them even more (his back will be curved). Use the hand that was holding onto their head-locking hand and arm to attack him again in the ribs or groin and push them away from you.^{[5]
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Research source}
- This would be your time to run and escape.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Escaping a Rear Headlock

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Turn your head toward the side from which your attacker is choking you. This will ensure that your airway doesn't get cut off. Use your hands to grab onto your attacker's arm, with your fingers on the inside of their arm, near your chin.^{[6]
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Research source}

EXPERT TIP

Derrek Hofrichter
Self-Defense Specialist
Derrek Hofrichter is a Self-Defense Specialist and the Founder of EVKM Self Defense & Fitness in Tempe, Arizona. Derrek specializes in Krav Maga, Personal Safety, and Boxing. Derrek is a Krav Maga Third Degree Black Belt, a Senior Certified Krav Maga Instructor, and a Krav Maga Alliance Executive Board, and Training Team Member. EVKM Self Defense & Fitness was named the 2014 Krav Maga Alliance School of the Year and the 2017 Best Gym/Workout Studio in Phoenix. Derrek was named as one of the top 30 Health and Fitness Leaders in Arizona under the age of 40 by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com in 2018. He also holds a BA in Government Public Policy from Patrick Henry College.

Derrek Hofrichter
Self-Defense Specialist

Be strategic in order to escape a headlock. When put into a headlock, tuck your chin towards where the attacker's hands are. You can lessen the impact of a headlock if you keep the attacker’s arms from getting on your windpipe.
2
Tuck your chin. Raise or shrug your shoulders so you create a space where you can tuck your chin down to your body and get your fingers into the space between their arm and your chin. Aim to tuck your chin into the crook of their elbow; that is where there will be the most wiggle room.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Derrek Hofrichter
Self-Defense Specialist

Expert Interview. 26 January 2021.} Sink down in his hold by bending your knees.
- This will make it more difficult for your attacker to lock their arm onto your neck.^{[8]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Derrek Hofrichter
  Self-Defense Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 26 January 2021.}
3
Step back. On the side that your attacker is choking you, step your foot back behind their foot to lock in their leg.^{[9]
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Research source}
- Don't arch your back backward. Instead, keep your back curved forward. If you lean back, you render yourself defenseless with no balance.
- Do not step out to the side, but back, behind their foot so your legs are calf-to-calf.
4
Turn out and throw them down. Bend your knees and turn 180° toward your stepped foot.^{[10]
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Research source} Your hands should still be on their arm, in between your chin and their arm. Once out of the headlock, pull diagonally across your body to throw your attacker to the ground.
- Keep your opposite foot (the foot that didn't lock behind your attacker's leg) strong so as to trip your opponent as you throw them to the ground across your body.
- If you can't throw your attacker, keep turning your shoulders and hips inward to create more leverage. Eventually, this should create enough space that you can pull your head out.^{[11]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Derrek Hofrichter
  Self-Defense Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 26 January 2021.}
EXPERT TIP

Derrek Hofrichter
Self-Defense Specialist
Derrek Hofrichter is a Self-Defense Specialist and the Founder of EVKM Self Defense & Fitness in Tempe, Arizona. Derrek specializes in Krav Maga, Personal Safety, and Boxing. Derrek is a Krav Maga Third Degree Black Belt, a Senior Certified Krav Maga Instructor, and a Krav Maga Alliance Executive Board, and Training Team Member. EVKM Self Defense & Fitness was named the 2014 Krav Maga Alliance School of the Year and the 2017 Best Gym/Workout Studio in Phoenix. Derrek was named as one of the top 30 Health and Fitness Leaders in Arizona under the age of 40 by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com in 2018. He also holds a BA in Government Public Policy from Patrick Henry College.

Derrek Hofrichter
Self-Defense Specialist

Use leverage to escape a headlock. If you're in a headlock, rotate your body inward, moving your shoulders and hips to create leverage. If you keep working at it, enough space should open up for you to pull your head out.

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Question

How do you prevent getting into a headlock?

Derrek Hofrichter
Self-Defense Specialist
Derrek Hofrichter is a Self-Defense Specialist and the Founder of EVKM Self Defense & Fitness in Tempe, Arizona. Derrek specializes in Krav Maga, Personal Safety, and Boxing. Derrek is a Krav Maga Third Degree Black Belt, a Senior Certified Krav Maga Instructor, and a Krav Maga Alliance Executive Board, and Training Team Member. EVKM Self Defense & Fitness was named the 2014 Krav Maga Alliance School of the Year and the 2017 Best Gym/Workout Studio in Phoenix. Derrek was named as one of the top 30 Health and Fitness Leaders in Arizona under the age of 40 by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com in 2018. He also holds a BA in Government Public Policy from Patrick Henry College.

Derrek Hofrichter

Self-Defense Specialist

Expert Answer

Tuck your chin toward the hands of the attacker. That can help keep their arms from getting onto your windpipe, so they can't choke you.

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Question

How do I break free from a headlock?

Derrek Hofrichter
Self-Defense Specialist
Derrek Hofrichter is a Self-Defense Specialist and the Founder of EVKM Self Defense & Fitness in Tempe, Arizona. Derrek specializes in Krav Maga, Personal Safety, and Boxing. Derrek is a Krav Maga Third Degree Black Belt, a Senior Certified Krav Maga Instructor, and a Krav Maga Alliance Executive Board, and Training Team Member. EVKM Self Defense & Fitness was named the 2014 Krav Maga Alliance School of the Year and the 2017 Best Gym/Workout Studio in Phoenix. Derrek was named as one of the top 30 Health and Fitness Leaders in Arizona under the age of 40 by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com in 2018. He also holds a BA in Government Public Policy from Patrick Henry College.

Derrek Hofrichter

Self-Defense Specialist

Expert Answer

Get leverage—send your arms and hands in the direction of the choke in a downward plucking action. From there, rotate your hips and shoulders inward to create leverage. If you keep working at it, eventually, just enough space will open up for you to pull your head out.

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Tips

Keep your chin tucked in so that your opponent cannot initiate a chokehold.

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If it is a dangerous headlock situation, try to hurt the person in the private areas or the eyes. Do not do this unless you are in danger!

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Have a plan of escape ready for the moment you are free.

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Warnings

Escaping a headlock usually places a large amount of strain on your head and neck, which can be very dangerous and painful. If you have the option to tap out (casual wrestling), seriously consider it.

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