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Survival Fitness Plan Blog/Self-Defense/How to Defend Getting Tackled in a Street Fight

How to Defend Getting Tackled in a Street Fight

The football-style tackle is a common attack on the street, and if it connects you could be in a lot of trouble. This is how you defend against it.

The football-style tackle is a common attack on the street.

So it makes sense to know how to defend against it.

Although it typically happens when people that don’t know how to fight are drunk, it is also a popular move with MMA fighters, and if you get caught by the latter you could be in a lot of trouble.

Front Tackle Defense Vlog

Move

When learning how to defend yourself from attackers, the simplest ‘techniques’ are often the best.

And you can’t get much simpler than just moving out the way.

When someone charges you, use basic footwork to sidestep out of your attackers’ path. 

Timing is super important. 

You want to do it late enough so that your opponent can’t change direction. You need him to be committed to the path, but also, you don’t want to wait so long that you get clipped. Remember, he can spread his arms also.

Getting out of the way of an attack to defend yourself. 

Sprawl + Choke

Moving out of the way  is an excellent technique to use against the tackle, but it only works if you see the attack coming in time. 

If you are caught by a surprise attack, you can use a modified version of ‘sprawling’. 

The normal sprawl is like this:

As the attack comes in, kick your legs out behind you and drop all your weight down onto your opponent’s back.

However, doing this type of sprawl is likely to end with both of you on the ground. That is fine in MMA, but on the street, you want to avoid this. 

So instead of kicking your legs out, just lower your weight, but stay on your feet. 

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As you do it, wrap your arms around his neck and put him in a guillotine. 

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Alternatively, just hold him steady while striking his ribs. 

Conclusion

When an opponent is unskilled, defending against this type of attack is relatively easy.

Unfortunately, it is also a common technique for MMA fighters, and they are much better at it. 

So be sure to practice defending against the tackle.

To learn how to defend against more common street attacks, check out ‘The Self-Defense Handbook. 

Safe Training!

Did you find this article about how to defend against a front tackle useful? If so, please share it with your friends.

Article by Sam Fury

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Sam Fury 3 png

Sam Fury is the creator and owner of the Survival Fitness Plan.

He has had a passion for martial arts and outdoor pursuits since he was a young boy growing up in Australia.

As a young adult he joined the military and studied outdoor leadership in college. After that, to further his skills, Sam started traveling to learn from the best in the world in various fields related to the Survival Fitness Plan including various martial arts in China, SE Asia and Brazil, Parkour in Singapore, Surf Life Saving in Australia, and others. 

These days, he still enjoys learning new things, traveling and sharing what he has learned via the Survival Fitness Plan. 

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