Kurumaisu Jutsu:
Wheelchair
Techniques
Part 3- Attacks From The Side
By Ronald van de Sandt
Editor's Note: This is
the third article in a three part series. Part 2 discussed several
common attacks from the front against someone seated in
a wheelchair. Part 1 discussed
self-defense responses to a push from behind.
This article, and the others in the series, was the
result of being confined to a wheelchair for a period of
time, an experience which gave me a better understanding
of the martial arts as well as an appreciation for those
who are handicapped. I realized also that while some
"attacks" are unique to those in wheelchairs, others are
similar to those experienced by anyone sitting in a
chair, on a bench, on a train or subway, or on the
floor. In studying self defense techniques for those
confined to wheelchairs, I was surprised at the number
of defenses that I recognized as coming right out of the
karate kata I had practiced for so long.
This article discusses how to defend against attacks
from the side, where the attacker is usually trying to
restrain the person, or tip the wheelchair. Often there
is insufficient time to use seemingly complex defenses,
so presented here are a variety of defenses, both simple
and complex.
Defense Technique 1: By far the simplest
technique is a crane head strike (back of wrist) or a
rear crane beak strike (finger tips) to the knee, or
groin (here shown), depending on where to the side your
opponent is standing.  Here the defender is sitting in a
chair to show the similarity of defensive techniques
that can be applied to someone sitting in a wheelchair
or in a standard chair.
The inside of the thigh, just above the knee, is one
of the most sensitive areas for a crane beak strike. If
he's close enough, an elbow to the knee can also be
devastating. Pinching the inner thigh near the groin
area usually causes the opponent to back away very
quickly as well.
Defense Technique 2: An attack comes from your
right side. Here again, as the attacker reaches for you
with his right hand you can counter with a crane head
strike (back of wrist), a rear crane beak strike (finger
tips) to the knee, or groin, or pinch to the inner
thigh. As the person responds, hook your right arm under
the opponent's right elbow while also grabbing his wrist
with your left hand. Now pull with your right arm and
push with your left to turn your opponent so he falls
over your lap.
Defense Technique 3: Another response to a
potential attack from the right side is to initially
respond as in #2 above. In this case, however, as the
person bends forward, reach up with your left hand to
grab the back of his neck (or hair) and pull him forward
toward your lap. As you do this allow your right hand to
come up under his throat. Your left hand can then grab
your right wrist to affect a choke.
Defense Technique 4: In this defense as your
attacker is reaching toward you with his right hand,
intercept and grab the arm with your left hand while
also executing a right palm heel strike to the
opponent's groin. Immediately move your right hand
between your opponent's legs and begin to lift and pull
your opponent towards you using both arms. The attacker
will end up lying across your lap (here shown from the
side).
Continued next Page
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