Oh, that confused me a lot the first time I watched it as well.. . I haven't looked at it in a while, but I believe it meant to have your hand lengthwise in front of your face (fingers on the bridge of the nose and between the eyes, and side of the palm hanging down your chin). That way when the Phantom was trrying to use his lasso, it wouldn't be able to tighten enough to strangle you.. . (I checked and this seems to be right.)