Page 110 - Pat O'Keeffe Combat Kick Boxing

Combat Kick Boxing

Chapter Nine
Seated Defence

There are any number of situations where you might be attacked whilst seated.
The first thing to note is the restriction on mobility. Some movement of the top
half of the body may be possible, but if you are also hemmed in, such as in a
restaurant corner or booth, or whilst seated in a car, you may have to conduct
your defence from where you are.
One of the decisions that you will face is whether to try and stand or to conduct
you first defensive actions whilst seated, bearing in mind that you may not get a
choice.
If what you are sitting on – a railway seat for example – is stable and the attack
is sudden, then brace yourself against the seat back and kick your assailant’s legs.
To try and stand is to immediately place yourself off balance and you will be
pushed over and stamped on.
Conversely, if what you are seated on is potentially unstable – a free-standing
chair for instance – then you will have no choice but to stand. (Read the incident
at the end of this chapter.)
It is worth carrying out a few drills whilst seated, so see Chapter Eleven.

Car
Situation One: You are in the driver’s seat and wearing a seat belt. As you stop at
the traffic lights someone pulls open the passenger-side door and gets in.
Your assailant grabs you around the neck.
1) Drive a hard left elbow to his solar plexus. (Fig. 192)
2) Twist and throw a right hook to his chin or throat. (Fig. 193)
3) Grab his head with both hands and slam it into the dashboard. (Fig. 194)
Now push him out of the car and leave the scene fast.

This is an increasingly popular way of carrying out a mugging and is thwarted by
the simple precaution of keeping all but the driver’s door locked when driving in
town. Good habits prevent situations from occurring.
Car situations are potentially very dangerous because you are restricted by the
seat, dashboard and seat belt.
Taxi drivers are particularly vulnerable to attack and for them the situation is
made worse because the attacker is behind them. The answer to this situation is
to have a barrier between you and the passenger compartment and to be able to
lock the rear seats from the front. Then if they try anything you can drive them to
the nearest police station.
The most vulnerable time for a taxi driver is when taking payment. Open your
window only sufficiently to accept the fare. Never place your arm outside your vehicle.
Unfortunately many minicabs do not have screens or lockable rear doors so
the next defence deals with a situation in this type of car. If you are attacked in
this way the odds are very much in the mugger’s favour. It may be better to give
the mugger the money and depart with your life.

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