Defense from inside your car

[MA-Caver]

Scenario... you walk through the parking lot to your car, unlock the door, get in, start up the engine and before you can put it in reverse/drive someone is knocking on your window. You roll the window down half way to hear what they have to say... moments later (reasons are moot at this point) the guy reaches in the open window and grabs your shirt/collar....

What to do? How to take care of this?

I was in that situation last Sunday... only the guy didn't reach in the car. But he was being belligerent. Words were exchanged and he basically walked off.
I had thought about what I would've needed to do if he had reached in the car to grab me, his body language, tone of voice and fervor in his eyes said he wanted to.

It made me wonder about it and wonder at the various arts and their techniques (if any) in dealing with that scenario.

My thoughts were: to allow him to grab me then break his grip and hold his hand while pulling his arm further into the car and pinning it to the steering wheel... then raise the window (it's electric on mine) and trap his arm up to his shoulder... open the car door hard, pushing him backwards/off balance, get out and close the door... hard... here two things could happen as I tried it out with a friend later (going very slowly and gently)... his arm came out and automatically went up... closing the car door would've crushed his arm/wrist in the door frame thus further incapacitaing him or he would've kept his arm down, even rotating it in an attempt to hit the window button... or even still... risk severely lacerating himself by pulling his arm out and/or breaking the window...
Had his arm been trapped in the door then a few simple techs would've been sufficient to render him out of the game; (hard) knee to the groin and to the solar-plexus.

What would've you done? What techniques does your art (please name) teach in this situation?

 

[tellner]

1. Hold onto him and put it into reverse. Then start driving. Let him out when it's not fun anymore.
2. Pull him partway in and do bad things to him.
3. Roll up the window and do bad things to whatever's inside.
4. Use the frame and window to help execute an arm bar. Combined with #1 it becomes a low-calorie arm break.

 

[mrhnau]

1. Hold onto him and put it into reverse. Then start driving. Let him out when it's not fun anymore.
2. Pull him partway in and do bad things to him.
3. Roll up the window and do bad things to whatever's inside.
4. Use the frame and window to help execute an arm bar. Combined with #1 it becomes a low-calorie arm break.

Don't forget the high-calorie arm munching

 

[Deaf Smith]

Krav Maga has some very good techniques for this. Oviously just about all are hand techniques (something alot of TKD feet specialists should think about, and I say that being a TKD foot specialist!)

Deaf

 

[MahaKaal]

In any offensive situation, it is important to understand what your attacker is going to do, if you pre-empt an attack too early, it is possible that your technique will fail. In this case, the original poster made the best decision by not reacting.

If I was in that situation, my first response would be to shift in my seat so that I am facing him more, rather then at a 90 degree angle to him, it would be possible to shift back in the seat to make more distance if required. You could also slide the chair back casually, increasing the angle and distance that it would take for him to get a good grab.

If he does try to grab through an open window, let his hand come in and hold you, apply pressure on his wrist with your forearm over the top to lock his arm to your chest, use your spare hand to attack the limb, or strike the head/throat/armpit/elbow, if he pulls back apply a wrist lock.

There are many scenarios that could play out, if you open up the window too little, it shows fear and there would be only two possibilities, the person smashes the window - leading to glass flying in your face, or he tries to open the door.

If he tries to smash the window, lean away onto the passenger seat, or passengers lap and try to cover your face if possible. If hes smashed the window, his next step would be to reach in. For anyone to attack you, they must give you an opening and also a limb, so first thing you do is pull in him or attack his limb, snap his finger and lay a few strikes on him. The arm is the best to strike as you have many points to hit, finger breaks, wrist lock, strikes to underarm, pinches on underarm, the more you pull him in the closer his head will be. As your in a position of dominance, his only defence would be to fight through a window with broken glass around it, as his head comes closer throw some strikes to it, elbows, or head grabs which lead to twisting of the neck.

If he tries to open the door, let him, use the momentum of the door and push against it, making him lose his balance, burst out the car, use the door as a sheild for a split second and try to get around, or get back in and drive away.

The key is to be dominant in that position, give as little verbal communication as possible and try to end the conversation quickly.

That would be an unarmed way, in reality, id show him my Pesh Kabz

 

[kwaichang]

1. don't roll down the window.
2. step on the gas.

 

[FieldDiscipline]

1. Use the frame and window to help execute an arm bar. Combined with #1 it becomes a low-calorie arm break.

My first thoughts, or a wrist lock. Both combined with #1.

 

[tellner]

Don't forget the high-calorie arm munching

Always remember to eat your enemies in secret.

 

[Bodhisattva]

Scenario... you walk through the parking lot to your car, unlock the door, get in, start up the engine and before you can put it in reverse/drive someone is knocking on your window. You roll the window down half way to hear what they have to say... moments later (reasons are moot at this point) the guy reaches in the open window and grabs your shirt/collar....

What to do? How to take care of this?

I was in that situation last Sunday... only the guy didn't reach in the car. But he was being belligerent. Words were exchanged and he basically walked off.
I had thought about what I would've needed to do if he had reached in the car to grab me, his body language, tone of voice and fervor in his eyes said he wanted to.

It made me wonder about it and wonder at the various arts and their techniques (if any) in dealing with that scenario.

My thoughts were: to allow him to grab me then break his grip and hold his hand while pulling his arm further into the car and pinning it to the steering wheel... then raise the window (it's electric on mine) and trap his arm up to his shoulder... open the car door hard, pushing him backwards/off balance, get out and close the door... hard... here two things could happen as I tried it out with a friend later (going very slowly and gently)... his arm came out and automatically went up... closing the car door would've crushed his arm/wrist in the door frame thus further incapacitaing him or he would've kept his arm down, even rotating it in an attempt to hit the window button... or even still... risk severely lacerating himself by pulling his arm out and/or breaking the window...
Had his arm been trapped in the door then a few simple techs would've been sufficient to render him out of the game; (hard) knee to the groin and to the solar-plexus.

What would've you done? What techniques does your art (please name) teach in this situation?

Grab his wrist with both hands and pull with both arms

Turn feet toward the door

Push with both feet on inside of door while holding his forearm with both hands tightly and straightening my spine - until he is bent over and partially pulled into my car.

Stomp and kick head while holding forearm tightly with both hands.

--

Or:

Put car in reverse, hit gas hard, laugh as he is pulled onto his face because he didn't let go of me.

--

Or:

Reach into truck floor board, grab any of several tools there (large wrench, hammer, screw driver)

 

[CoryKS]

I only roll the window down about an inch or so, if at all. If a stranger is talking to me while I'm in the car, I'm not terribly interested in what he's going to say unless he's also pointing to the car and backing away.

 

[MA-Caver]

I only roll the window down about an inch or so, if at all. If a stranger is talking to me while I'm in the car, I'm not terribly interested in what he's going to say unless he's also pointing to the car and backing away.

Well being as hard of hearing as I am an inch of open window is still going to make the guy sound muffled so that's why I rolled it half way down so there'd be no misunderstanding on MY part. Plus I'm still under the impression that I didn't do anything wrong... at least until he opened his mouth and expressed his erroneous perceived deficit. Besides looking the guy once over, I wasn't scared and he couldn't make me scared even if he tried.

 

[KenpoTex]

I think people are overcomplicating this (too many "use a wrist lock" or whatever)...you're in a 3,000 lb. weapon, just drive, he won't hold on for long.

If for some reason I was unable to simply drive away, I'd try to control his arm while reaching either for the fixed blade on the console, or the pistol on my hip...he's not going to like what happens after that. (before anyone says anything, in my state, the "castle doctrine" extends to your vehicle.)

 

[MA-Caver]

you're in a 3,000 lb. weapon...just drive, he won't hold on for long.

If for some reason I was unable to simply drive away, I'd try to control his arm while reaching either for the fixed blade on the console, or the pistol on my hip...he's not going to like what happens after that. (before anyone says anything, in my state, the "castle doctrine" extends to your vehicle.)

Tight parking lot, my parents car and it's totally without weaponry, except of course... my empty hands and my brain.

 

[joeygil]

I still think roll up the window, and pull out of the parking space. It can't be so tight you can't pull out.

The main part about rolling up the window is, it sandwiches their arm, so you don't get pulled by them.

Alternatively, roll up the window (power windows hopefully), and grab the hand and break a finger back. I think it's easier and more practical than a wrist lock, as that often requires a bit more manuverabiliity.


You can also bite (and start on that high calorie snack early).

 

[KenpoTex]

Tight parking lot, my parents car and it's totally without weaponry, except of course... my empty hands and my brain.

in that case, maybe grab his arm and yank it farther into the car to control it, also giving you access to his head/face. Beat him with hammerfists, gouge his eyes, or attack the throat until he decides he doesn't want to play anymore.

On a side note, this is why I always try to park so that I can move my car easily. I'll either pull through the spaces or back in so that when I leave I can just drive out.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Scenario... you walk through the parking lot to your car, unlock the door, get in, start up the engine and before you can put it in reverse/drive someone is knocking on your window. You roll the window down half way to hear what they have to say... moments later (reasons are moot at this point) the guy reaches in the open window and grabs your shirt/collar....

Pull my Glock .40, press against attackers chest, and pull trigger. Repeat as needed till he lets go.

I was trained in the "Modern Technique", and maybe Jeff Cooper was the first to codify a system of gun handling, and thus an 'art'.

Deaf

 

[Empty Hands]

Pull my Glock .40, press against attackers chest, and pull trigger. Repeat as needed till he lets go.

For someone grabbing your shirt with empty hands while you are seated in a 3000 lb weapon? Enjoy prison.

I was trained in the "Modern Technique", and maybe Jeff Cooper was the first to codify a system of gun handling, and thus an 'art'.

Did Mr. Cooper also cover when deadly force is permissible, not just how?

 

[Deaf Smith]

Empty Hands,

I teach Concealed Handgun License classes in the state of Texas. I know well our laws. Carjacking, and someone grabbing you through the window would be considered an attempted carjacking, is subject to deadly force.

9.32. DEADLY FORCE IN DEFENSE OF PERSON

(A) unlawfully and with force entered, or was
attempting to enter unlawfully and with force, the actor's occupied
habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment.

And you do NOT have to retreat (unlike some states laws.)

Deaf

 

[MJS]

Scenario... you walk through the parking lot to your car, unlock the door, get in, start up the engine and before you can put it in reverse/drive someone is knocking on your window. You roll the window down half way to hear what they have to say... moments later (reasons are moot at this point) the guy reaches in the open window and grabs your shirt/collar....

What to do? How to take care of this?

I was in that situation last Sunday... only the guy didn't reach in the car. But he was being belligerent. Words were exchanged and he basically walked off.
I had thought about what I would've needed to do if he had reached in the car to grab me, his body language, tone of voice and fervor in his eyes said he wanted to.

It made me wonder about it and wonder at the various arts and their techniques (if any) in dealing with that scenario.

My thoughts were: to allow him to grab me then break his grip and hold his hand while pulling his arm further into the car and pinning it to the steering wheel... then raise the window (it's electric on mine) and trap his arm up to his shoulder... open the car door hard, pushing him backwards/off balance, get out and close the door... hard... here two things could happen as I tried it out with a friend later (going very slowly and gently)... his arm came out and automatically went up... closing the car door would've crushed his arm/wrist in the door frame thus further incapacitaing him or he would've kept his arm down, even rotating it in an attempt to hit the window button... or even still... risk severely lacerating himself by pulling his arm out and/or breaking the window...
Had his arm been trapped in the door then a few simple techs would've been sufficient to render him out of the game; (hard) knee to the groin and to the solar-plexus.

What would've you done? What techniques does your art (please name) teach in this situation?

Nice thread!

The initial situation could probably be avoided if the window isn't rolled down all or half way. A few inches is best. But in this case, I'd give the following options:

A) If at all possible, put the car into gear and start driving. They're either going to a) be dragged along with the car or b) let go.

B) Pin the hand and strike to the face.

C) You could attempt to open the car door, striking them with it. Downside of this is if they're that close to the door, their body may prevent it from opening.

I wouldn't bother attempting to roll up the window, as they could most likely push down on it, breaking the mechanism, preventing it from going up.

 

[Kacey]

1 - Roll the window up. I, myself, wouldn't open the door; I think I have a greater advantage with the person's arm stuck in the window than I do if I open the door.

2 - Start driving, in whichever direction is available. Tight space or not, there's generally room to get out. It's polite of you to be concerned about your parents' car... but in similar circumstances, my parents would prefer the car to be damaged to me being damaged; cars can be fixed, but people have to heal!

3 - Depending on the circumstances, this may happen before 2; honk the horn in a mixture of long and short bursts. This will bring attention to you - which, if the person intends some negative action, will be exactly what s/he doesn't want. And it may just startle the person into pulling his/her hand out as well.