Mastering Combat with Grace: The Ballerina's Guide

Picture yourself in a precarious situation: It's late, you’re alone, perhaps making your way home or awaiting a companion at a bar, when someone with harmful intent approaches—a person larger and likely more formidable than yourself. You've rarely, if ever, faced physical confrontations. What's your move?

Surprisingly, even those familiar with combat skills, like Cara Marie Chooljian, a veteran stunt performer from Hollywood, ponder this scenario. Though trained in jujitsu, kickboxing, and judo, she often reflects on her potential reactions to danger. 'Given my profession and a desire for personal safety, I frequently consider such possibilities,' she notes.

In her latest project, Chooljian inhabited the role of a character conditioned to kill from a young age. As the stunt double for Eve, an assassin set on avenging her father, she engaged in shootouts, close-quarters combat, and even flamethrower skirmishes. Performing alongside Ana de Armas, both actresses—standing at approximately 5'6"—faced off against the towering presence of John Wick, depicted by a 6-foot actor.

The dynamic choreography of these encounters mirrored a real-world strategy; confronting a larger opponent requires creativity. 'In the film, imagining my victory was exhilarating,' Chooljian shares. 'Creating realistic scenarios was crucial because realistically, punching a giant in the face wouldn’t suffice.'

Unexpected Advantage: Collapse with Intent

As unconventional as it may sound, abruptly sitting or falling can bewilder an adversary. 'If confronted, dropping down rapidly disorients them,' Chooljian explains. Adopting a move from jiujitsu, she advocates dropping quickly at their feet, gripping their ankles, leaning back, and delivering a dual-footed strike to their hips to unbalance them completely. Alternatively, simply yanking their ankles can suffice, but kicking increases your chances of toppling them.

Securing Dominance

Should you manage to unsteady your opponent, they might be momentarily stunned by the fall. It's crucial to immediately seize this opportunity by positioning yourself over them, targeting with elbow strikes. In these situations, your elbows have more impact than your fists, especially against a significantly larger opponent.

Persistent Offense: Exhaust Your Opponent

Your primary objective is endurance until you can escape or assistance arrives, or ideally, until your adversary retreats. Use all available strategies, be they gouging the eyes, clawing at the face, or delivering a knee to vulnerable areas. ‘I’m particularly fond of the fish hook,’ Chooljian illustrates, hooking her mouth with a finger to demonstrate. ‘Employ any tactics that weaken them progressively.’

Leverage Your Limbs

Should sitting not yield the intended effect, other measures exist. If restrained on a raised surface, much like in the movie scene, capitalize on your position. Ensnare your foe in a 'triangle choke,' a recognizable maneuver. Begin by elevating your hips, wrap one leg around the opponent's neck, and intertwine the other leg, securing your knee over your ankle. Squeeze to subdue. 'Their head is entrapped between my legs, cutting off their air,' Chooljian confirms.

Resourceful Weaponry

Throughout the altercation, continuously assess your environment for potential aids. A curling iron's cord? Perfect. A makeshift weapon like a candlestick? It’s effective too. 'In an unfamiliar bar setting, a bottle would be my first choice,' Chooljian admits.

Last Resort Strategy: Targeting Vulnerability

When all else is insufficient, go for a traditional, albeit simple, tactic: Strike them in the groin. 'It's a cliché, but it's effective,' Chooljian concedes. 'A precise kick to such a sensitive spot can turn the tide in your favor.'