Bearhugs and punches are among the most popular attacks, so it is good to know how to defend against them.
Bearhug:
The first thing to do is to make it hard for your opponent to hold you, so mimick a “fast squat” while your opponent is carrying you.
If that doesn’t get you out of the bearhug, then you want to swing your legs right and left, until your hands can reach your attacker’s groin and you can punch, or do a palm strike variant from there.
Punch:
If you are dealing with a punch, a far more common move, you should try to redirect their punch with your hand to hit anywhere but your body.
However, if you are dealing with something similar to a hook punch, your best bet is to duck and cover your head.
There are only two ranges – all in or all out. You are either in the fight or not. It may not be our choice – but you’re either in or you’re out. If you’re in: You gotta be all in.
My oldest son thought it’d be funny to grab my arms, from the front. I smoke and was just getting ready to light a smoke. He was very surprised when I threw the smoke at his neck. He didn’t realize I hadn’t lit it. As soon as he went for the smoke (that he thought was lit) I “gently” kicked him on the upper thigh pretty close to a very “tender” area. He’s 6’, I’m 5’. So when he instinctively started to lean down to protect himself I went for his eyes which I didn’t touch but it certainly surprised him. Needless to say he doesn’t worry nearly as much about me defending myself. Another thing my Dad taught me about 60 years ago was if somebody does get you in a hug hold from the front and your hands are up, push your thumbs up into the bottom of their chin just barely behind the jaw. And if they don’t let go then put your middle fingers in their eyes and squeeze.