How to Escape if Someone Grabs Your Hair

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When an attacker grabs your hair, they suddenly have near full control of your body. Long hair can be used for leverage, and hair's strength in as a bunch means that an assailant could pull you every which way if you're not ready to pry them off. Luckily, however, there are several ways to pull them off you.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Removing Assailants Grabbing the Top of your Head

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Escape if Someone Grabs Your Hair
    This is essential step one, as it prevents someone from taking complete control of your body. If someone has a big handful of your hair you pretty much have to go where they pull you, as they have a lot of leverage.
    • You want to allow them to move your head, slightly, but not your hair.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Escape if Someone Grabs Your Hair
    Both hands should grab either side of their wrist with the thumbs below the and fingers meeting, but not interlocked, above. Take some of the advantages away by gripping their wrists and holding it close to your head, limiting their control of you.
    • Step forward, towards the pull, to use the attacker's energy against them.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Escape if Someone Grabs Your Hair
    This is the weakest finger and the easiest way to get in and pry the grip off. Luckily, you don't even have to be that strong, as a broken little finger will more than likely cause them to let go.
    • Do not try to peel all of their fingers off at once. The pinky is small and weak -- no match for the strength of your whole arm.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Escape if Someone Grabs Your Hair
    Use your body weight and other hand to help to get more strength. You want to push their wrist away with the one hand, peel back the pinkie with the other, and simultaneously step away to remove their hand from your hair. [1]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Removing Assailants Grabbing the Side of Your Head

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Escape if Someone Grabs Your Hair
    Again, this prevents someone from controlling your body and movement completely. Set your feet so that you're on balance, and use this hand to resist their movement. Even if they are stronger than you and ultimately could pull you around, this is just the first move meant to force them off balance.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Escape if Someone Grabs Your Hair
    Grab their little finger with as many of your fingers as you can. The more leverage you can get on this finger, the better.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Escape if Someone Grabs Your Hair
    The quicker you can do this motion, the better. The pain and shock will open up his/her hand, allowing you to get free.
    • If he/she doesn't let go, keep bending until the finger breaks.
    • Keep your elbow up in front of your face to protect yourself from his free arm, which can still hit you.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Escape if Someone Grabs Your Hair
    If you're using both hands to cut off his hair hold, then he still has one arm left to attack with. To avoid this, roll into the pinkie bend. By also following his movement (the way he is pulling your hair) you prevent damage and force him to swing or turn his body before he can strike you with his far off arm. Even if he can get small blows in, he won't have the power to do much in the few seconds before you break his pinkie.
    • Rolling your body along the attacker's arm also puts him in front of you, allowing you to get away once you get his hand free.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Escape if Someone Grabs Your Hair
    You want to move forward into the counter-attack, and then immediately move off once the hands are out of your hair. Use the few seconds of time to get away immediately. [2]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Striking Back (Further Techniques)

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  1. Grabbing a hold of them is always the first response to someone grabbing your hair. Get control of their wrist and hold it close to your head to prevent damage and loss of bodily control.
  2. Your one hand grabs theirs, pulling closer to prevent them from yanking you around. As you do, strike out with the other hand right at their elbow. Aim just a little higher up, where the joint meets the bicep, for the best response.
    • Hit with you knuckles for the hardest, most successful strike.
    • Press against the inside of your bicep, moving up until your find a sensitive spot that causes your arm to curl slightly when pressed. This is your target.
  3. As you pull close, you'll be taking a step with your outside foot. Over-exaggerate this step into a knee at your attacker, letting your knee hit soon after you punch their arm.
  4. Once they let go and the knee connects, step back and use this time to escape. [3]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I escape 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
    To escape a headlock, start by tucking your chin towards the attacker's hands to protect your windpipe. This helps prevent them from choking you. Next, use a plucking action with your arms and hands to create leverage against the choke, aiming to lessen the pressure on your throat. Rotate your body inward, moving your shoulders and hips to further create leverage. Keep working at it until you create enough space to pull your head out. Once you've escaped the headlock, be prepared to defend yourself or create distance between you and the attacker. Assess the situation quickly and take appropriate action to ensure your safety.
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      • Training is essential -- no real attacks every happen exactly how you're shown in videos, and training helps you prepare for the small variations of real life.
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      Warnings

      • Self-defense techniques must adapt to the exact situation you are in -- do not expect these exact moves to work if you're not adapting to the real world.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVMOKkZZhr8
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVMOKkZZhr8
      3. ↑ http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=202
      4. Videos provided by Chuck Johnson

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