Hands Off! Tactics

The three-disc set Hands Off! Tactics (with individual titles also available separately for $29.99 each) takes an aggressively defensive approach to helping people get out of dangerous attack or intimidation situations. Adopting a reality-TV style (with a cast of young people of varying shapes and sizes learning and practicing techniques in what looks like an abandoned, graffiti-filled job site), combined with insets of actors graphically depicting attacks, the production does a fine job of breaking down each response into simple defensive steps, often involving body physics, leverage, and momentum, as well as some non-intuitive actions (in some cases, getting closer to an attacker in order to gain momentum to spin away and flee). Volume 1 shows viewers how to get out of chokeholds (standing, lying on the ground, or against a wall), and free oneself from front and rear wrist grabs. Volume 2 demonstrates how to deflect punches, kicks, and rush attacks, while also covering release techniques for clothing, hair, arm, and bite attacks. Volume 3 focuses on getting out of a full nelson or bear hug, and also offers tactics for using pressure points to wriggle free from an attacker. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (C. Block)