Defense Against a Front Bear Hug (Both Arms Free) with O Soto Gari Finish

This technique involves defending against a front bear hug where both of your arms are free. The objective is to create space, break the opponent’s grip, and finish the defense with a counterattack using the O Soto Gari throw.

1. Initial Response to the Bear Hug:

• Stay Calm and Base: As your opponent applies the bear hug, stay calm and immediately drop your weight by bending your knees slightly. This creates a stable base, making it harder for your opponent to lift or move you.
• Hands on Hips: Place your hands on your opponent’s hips or around their waist to control their movement and prevent them from closing the distance further.

2. Create Space:

• Step Back: Take a small step back with one leg while simultaneously pushing your opponent’s hips away with your hands. This creates the necessary space to execute your next move.
• Head Position: Tuck your chin and place your forehead against the side of your opponent’s head or shoulder to prevent them from getting too close or headbutting you.

3. Breaking the Grip:

• Elbow Strike: If your opponent’s grip is strong, use one of your elbows to strike into the soft areas of their side or ribs, loosening their grip.
• Knee Strike: Alternatively, deliver a quick knee strike to their groin or thigh. This will further weaken their hold and create additional space for you to maneuver.

4. Execute O Soto Gari:

• Shift Position: After loosening their grip, shift your body slightly to the side, positioning yourself in line with one of your opponent’s legs. This positioning is crucial for setting up the O Soto Gari.
• Kazushi (Off-Balancing): Use the hand closest to your opponent’s hip to pull them off balance by tugging their waist or belt while pushing their upper body with your other hand.
• Sweep the Leg: Simultaneously, as you pull and push to off-balance your opponent, step behind their leg with your leg closest to their outside leg.
• Sweep: Sweep your opponent’s leg out from under them with a reaping motion, using the back of your leg to hook and drive their leg backward and upward.
• Maintain Control: As you perform the sweep, continue pulling on their upper body to guide them to the ground.

5. Follow Through and Control:

• Secure Position: After executing the O Soto Gari, maintain control of your opponent by following them to the ground. You can establish a dominant position, such as side control, or prepare for a pin or submission.
• Assess the Situation: After the throw, assess the situation quickly to determine if further action is needed, such as securing a pin, applying a submission, or disengaging if safe to do so.

Key Points:

• Timing and Balance: The success of this defense relies on proper timing, balance, and off-balancing your opponent before executing the throw.
• Maintain Awareness: Stay aware of your surroundings and your opponent’s movements throughout the entire sequence.
• Controlled Finish: Ensure that the O Soto Gari is performed with control, allowing you to remain in a dominant position after the throw.

This defense against a front bear hug, ending with an O Soto Gari, combines effective space creation, control, and a powerful throw to neutralise the threat and gain a dominant position.