putting your free arm around his waist and pulling with it, while continuing to push with the thumb of the other hand. This will force him backwards.

Figure 9-34 (C) illustrates another most effective defense against the bear hug. Bring your thumbs up on

each side of your opponent's neck, and place them directly under the lobes of his ears and behind his jaw bone. Press upward and inward. This spot is extremely sensitive and your opponent will be forced to release his hold.

If your opponent has grasped you around the body and over the arms, as shown in figure 9-35 (A), press your thumbs into his groins, and force his hips backwards (figure 9-35 (B)); this opens a space between your hips

and his. Now pivot your hips to the left on your left foot, without moving your foot from its position, and place your right foot on the outside of your opponent's right foot, and pointing in the same direction. Slip your

right arm under his left armpit, and grasp him anywhere in back. Grasp his upper arm with your left hand and pull down strongly, as illustrated in figure 9-35 (C). Now strike him heavily in the middle with your hips, and at the same time twist to the left, lifting up with your right arm and pulling down with your left hand. This will throw your opponent over your hips and to the ground.