No matter what multi-opponent self-defense situation you are into, being attacked from behind at jodan level (head level) is always scary. This is why every Karate-ka (Karate practitioner) interested in self-defense should be well aware of how to deal with jodan attacks from behind. There are many practical exercises that can be done to develop your intuition/reaction.
Of course, there is always the option of turning around quickly, but even while using angles to end up in a position of advantage towards your opponent, turning around takes some time, during which one of your multiple opponents have more opportunity to seriously hurt you. The best and most obvious answer to this problem is to use the Karate tools that are the fastest, the most direct, and that involve the minimum exposure to your opponents: That’s right…your number one choice should be Chudan Ushiro Geri (Mid level Back kick), the best tool to defend against a jodan attack from behind. Because the tools are not plentiful when it comes to attacks from behind, it is very important to have this kick rock solid from both legs! Also, because most attacks coming from behind, by nature, will be spotted at the very last second, leaving very little time to react.
When dealing with most head level attacks from behind (straight, circular punch, overhead strike, jodan kicks.. etc..), an Ushiro geri will naturally make you dodge down the attack while kicking back.
From a position of Ayumi-Dachi/ Fudo-Dachi (natural fighting stance), with an opponent behind you, Ushiro geri can be done as:
1- A direct kick from either your front leg, or your back leg.
2- Moving your front leg away from the opponent before kicking with your back leg, so to get more space from your opponent (including a 45 degree outside evading angle)
3- Advancing your front leg towards the opponent before kicking with your back leg, so to narrow the gap from your opponent
4- Moving your back leg away from the opponent before kicking with your front leg, so to get more space from your opponent (including a 45 degree outside evading angle)
5- Advancing your back leg towards the opponent before kicking with your front leg, so to narrow the gap from your opponent.
All these distance adjusting variations can be done in a split second, much faster than turning around, making Ushiro geri the 1st answer to a head level attack from behind.
Time to practice!
Toronto, Alpha - KarateBoost blog
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