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Grabs: A Simple Joint-Lock Solution

Here’s The Thing…

Grabs are really dumb moves by your opponent. Why? Because they aren’t really that much of a devastating technique because they lack aggression to the point of sending the message that the person grabbing you actually hasn’t fully committed to the idea of inflicting serious pain on you. They are, however, building themselves up to that decision. With that in mind, the moment they grab you, it’s time for you to act.

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Some Background

Before we break down how this works, I want to share with you what made me write this in the first place. My young son (15) came home from school a couple days ago expressing that a good bud of his got pushed around a bit at school. They are both freshman on campus, and, as you can imagine, the seniors can be a bit intimidating due to their physical size. This is often paired with overconfidence, but that’s another blog entirely.

Anyway, my son’s friend got grabbed by the shirt and shoved around a bit by a kid who amounts to little more than a “bully”, and I seriously dislike bullies. So, here we are.

The Truly Dumb Part

Here’s the truly dumb part about attacking like this though… The attacker isn’t just giving you their hand—one of their primary striking tools—they are also communicating exactly where it is. This is to your distinct advantage. Obviously, you are inclined to use their stupidity against them.

Breaking It Down

  1. Do NOT back away from the grab. In fact, secure it by taking your off-hand (the hand that is opposite the shoulder that is being grabbed) and reach over on top and secure or trap their hand to your chest, essentially securing the grab.
  2. Use your last three fingers and your thumb to secure a grip on their hand.
  3. Once you’ve secured the grab to your chest, step backwards slightly while simultaneously turning your body to twist their wrist upside down, all-the-while maintaining the grip. In fact, as you twist to escape the grab and lock their elbow and wrist, I strongly advise you to bring your other hand up to secure the grip.

The combination of extending the distance slightly, turning your shoulders, and securing the grip with both hands will put you in a position to either escape or inflict further damage if needed to secure your own safety in the moment.

The Joint-Lock Grip Has
Two Key Elements

  1. Your grip will be significantly more effective if you do NOT employ the use of your index finger. Learn to use the fulcrum created between your thumb and the opposing last three fingers of the same hand.
    Part of training this is simply to learn to point your index finger as you grip any part of a body. When gripping an opponents hand, your three fingers should securely wrap around the meaty portion of the edge of the opponents hand.
  2. Their middle “birdie” finger/knuckle is the key spot here. That’s the magic button that secures their compliance through pain. Applying pressure to the other knuckles will result in little gain. That middle knuckle is the one that gains their full attention. Refer to the video for a more detailed demonstration.

Where’d I Learn This?

Randy Wanner and Bob Taylor demonstrate this move in their TRS/Fight Fast DVD titled Fighting Chance: Secrets Of The Modern Warrior. Wanner is a Hwa Rang Do Black Belt with amazing skills and is an absolute master of using joint-lock moves to control and gain the compliance of an adversary.

Don’t forget the fairly universal standard regarding “use of force” laws. That is, you can use only the amount of force necessary to remove the threat or escape the situation. Assuming you are successful in applying this technique, your adversary will be in a highly vulnerable position for you to inflict further damage. Make good choices for your future too. 😉

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162 thoughts on “Grabs: A Simple Joint-Lock Solution”

  2. We use this oposite hand grab in Aikido quite a bit as a lead onto many techniques. I had not realised the importance of the middle knuckle, so thank you once again Bob.
    From Fightfast I have picked up a tactical survival pocket knife and the set of three throwing knives, they have become my prise possessions. Everything that I get from Fightfast is top quality.

    Reply

  3. This move along with a few others you have noted are part of a short but precise training that is taught to all new students that live on campus at the college my daughter attends, every student is required to go through this as part of their orientation…as a parent of a young woman living away from home these simple but effective tips allow me to sleep at night. Thanks for your continued support for the everyday person in this insane world…Cheers

    Reply

  5. Great stuff but no one to try it out on.
    Nevertheless- keep sending these great
    tidbits. Love ’em. Thanks.

    Reply

  6. Bob, as you are most probably aware in Aikido we basically use that grab on the shoulder as the basis of several techniques. I must say that your explanation of hand placement specifically the pressure to the central knuckle is the simplest and best explanation that I have ever seen. A very well done from me.
    PS I love my set of stinger throwing knives and my statical survival pocket knife, and I remain very impressed with all of Fightfast instruction.

    Reply

  7. Great MOVE even if the bully is expecting it by stepping forward with the left foot you are in position to deliver a severe kick to the lower parts of the body. As in all things it requires practice which generates speed. You don’t have time to think about what you have been told. If you have to get more severe and break something don’t to bragging about it. Things like “guess I showed him”, can be used against you in criminal as well as civil court.

    Reply

  9. This is a great tip but I wonder how well it will work when the attacker is much larger than you are. I’m very short, only 5 feet tall, and I would think that is a disadvantage for me. However, I will remember the technique and apply it if necessary!

    Reply

  10. Very good tip. This was one of the first moves we learned back when I was training Hapkido. Thank you for the video. Sure wish I could meet all of you in person one day. I’ve enjoyed all the videos you’ve posted and the DVD’s I’ve received.
    Thank you for all you do,
    Robert

    Reply

  13. I like this tip because it allows you to take control of the situation and get away or escalate your response if you need to.

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  15. I must compliment you on your instruction technique Mr. Pierce. It’s as high a level of explanation of practical Human anatomy and close combat mechanics as I’ve seen anyone give. You were very considerate of your demonstration partner, also patient and very through in your dissection of the maneuver. Most people do not understand how to execute a proper wrist lock nor how to properly explain one. The only time I’ve seen such a lock explained so well was while receiving instruction from an Aikido Master.

    Not only from this video, but from your instructional series on, “Fighting and Winning”, I can tell that you are indeed a thoughtful and experienced professional. I do indeed believe that you have, “Done your research”. Thanks for putting out the product that you do, I believe that it is of great help.

    Les Porter

    Reply

  20. Great technique, my old instructor called them peels. Was also shown by pinning the hand to the chest, then then using the outside arm with either the forearm, or hand pressing into the elbow. Turning it into an arm bar. ( level of force up to your discretion of course, I like bouncing them off the ground.

    Reply

  21. Dinah. Yes, if you practice with a good teacher, this and many joint locks will work for you. In fact, your small size can be turned to your advantage. You will need a superior mindset, strategy, and skillset. I learned from Bruce Lee’s style. Master Lee was very short and light. He was near sighted and was handicapped with one leg slightly longer than the other. He actually tuned all of these weaknesses to his advantage. After Jeet Kune Do, I got more adept at grappling “Budo” soft styles” ( Ju Jitsu, Wrestling, Aikido etc.) I became convinced that the the smaller the person is the more they need to learn techniques like todays’ lesson on wrist lock i.e. control. This is straight out of budo. My experience is that once a Ju Jitsu or Aikido practitioner snags my wrist, (regardless of size) they will start to win. Ju Jitsu and Wing Chun might be perfect for you.

    Reply

  22. Stan. Yes, as Mr. Pierce states, “there are myriad techniques” that can solve this problem. One favorite of mine is also useful (especially for short people) for any open hand touch/grab (hair/chest/shoulder) contact. Simply place both hands on top of the perpetrators hand. Trap his hand as you bow forward and down. You simply bend his wrist back while his fingers remain trapped against your body. I like to step backward at this point until he stumbles to his knees. You can run away at this point or rotate into an arm-bar take-down. Your choice.

    Reply

  23. Thanks for the video. You always have good practical self defense moves for people to learn. I’m a 1st degree black belt in tae kwon do and I’ve trained in Hapkido as well. So I know what works and what don’t. Keep up the good work. Hope to see more good videos and products from you.

    Reply

  24. Thank you so much Mr. Pierce, as a disabled Veteran I’m not able to execute all of the movements we were taught in the Military. ( I was a LE Specialist and EST team member in the Air Force), as a blue beret we were very disciplined as all the Military was. Your techniques, a lot of them make it easier to carry out moves to protect myself where other wise I would not be able to. Thank You, and God Bless you Sir.

    Reply

  26. Bob , I not trying to boost your ego , but your one of the Finest Instructors I’ve seen. An “OUTSTANDING” display of a Waist Lock ; its Fast & Accurant ! I like your Step-Back ; it keeps you away from the Opponent and able to set-up counter measures if the Opponent persues . The previous Instructor Wrist Lock is Effective ,but could encounter problems from a Stronger Opponent ; its takes more time. Thank You Bob– S. Biggs

    Reply

  27. i’ve used the technique does work here at the nursing hone where live . to break hold
    of people a number of times.

    thanks jack

    Reply

  29. This was the first time that I have seen this move comletely demostrated. I have used it once. It worked guess. I was just lucky. Thanks I get a lot of knowledge from your vidios keep it coming

    Reply

  31. Yes, that is a very useful clue how to process your own way of astabling hultultimatelycontent in your own defense.

    Reply

  32. Excellent
    Thank you from a fastly becoming elderly Ret. USN Vet.

    Would like to see more demo’s made and presented in this manner!
    Nice job!

    Reply

  34. A simple move but effective. How about us older folk? I have no problem with grabbing his hand in a twist but then what. He’s most likely younger and stronger so even if I twist him down to the ground he’ll likely get out of my grip. Is it better to use the maneuver and twist hard enough to break the wrist? Thanks for your help. Spencer

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  35. Thanks mr bob Pearce very valuable lesson learned here great defense move to either attack or flee thanks

    Reply

  39. That’s a good technique, but in the few times in my life that anyone grabbed me, they never grabbed me like that. It usually was a collar grab.

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  41. Bob -In My Opinion you are one of the Best Instructor ; step by step is Totally Explained in the Joint Lock Thank You Bob

    Reply

  43. I have used this move a few times in my life and it has worked every time with a positive outcome. Just make sure you continue to practice these moves regular to develop the muscle memory.

    Reply

  44. Thank you Mr. B. Pierce. In jiu-jitsu this move is called Kotegaeshi. Also used in ninjitsu, and aikido. Highly efective.

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  45. Excellent technique I’ve used for over 40 years for just the type of situation described in this video . A good way to defuse a potential problem , yet giving you the ability to inflict painful damage should your opponent attempt to escalate further negative and threatening behavior .

    Reply

  46. FOR ALL OF YOU WATCHING THIS VIDEO – THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST, SAFEST, EASIEST, KINDEST SELF DEFENSE TECHNIQUES FOR SOMEONE WHO GRABS YOU. VERY IMPORTANT IS THE FACT THAT YOU STEP BACKWARDS TO EXTEND THE PERSONS ARM, FROM THERE YOU CAN JUST LET THEM GO TO DOING MAJOR DAMAGE IF NEEDED.

    Reply

  47. TO: TONY #8 ON THE COMMENT LIST: THIS TECHNIQUE CAN BE USED ANYWHERE THAT SOMEONE MAY GRAB YOU. YOU JUST HAVE TO ADJUST IF IT IS RIGHT OR LEFT HAND AND BE SURE YOUR GRIP IS IN THE RIGHT POSITION ON THE PERSONS HAND.

    Reply

  48. I would of used a strike …phoenex eye to arm pit dble dwn block which pulls attacker off balnce towrad you as he runs into a knife hand to the throat….finished !! If the attacker is close enough to grab you he close enough to get whallopped!!

    Reply