To escape a Front Bear Hug (Under the Arm), which escape should be used?

• A. Bicycle Kicks
• B. Hip Push Escape
• C. The Shovel Under Escape
• D. Push Bar

Answer: (D)

When someone locks you in a front bear hug with their arms under yours, the immediate goal is to break the grip and create space to slip out. The Push Bar escape does this most directly: you use your hands to press outward on the attacker’s forearms, effectively pushing their grip away from your torso. As you push, you pivot and step back or to the side to widen the gap, which lets you slip one shoulder out and retreat to safety. This approach targets the point of control—the forearms in front of you—and yields a quick breach of the hold, which is why it’s the fastest and most reliable option in this scenario.

Bicycle kicks don’t address the grip quickly and can leave you off balance or vulnerable. The hip push escape can help in some grips, but it often requires turning into the hug and can take longer to set up. The shovel under escape is more situational and not as direct for a front bear hug, making it slower to execute and less reliable in freeing you promptly.