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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.

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. 5 Star Instructor/teacher who know how to explain an idea, theory or strategy! He speaks slowly, keeps it simple, and above all is concerned with the learner. All students can excell with this instructor.

    Reply

  3. Just a short comment but I think this move could work from a wheel chair. Good move that looks very painful.

    Reply

  6. Thank you for the video, great information. I studied a little of combat Hapkido and this was one move I liked along with a few others.
    Theses videos are like refresher training courses.
    Thxs again.

    Reply

  9. This, like most good moves, will that some practice. One thing about it, when you have his hand like that, there isn’t much he can do.

    Reply

  10. All these tips are good to know but, what about those with a disability. I use a walker myself and there are those in wheelchairs who can’t use all the moves you show. What can we do to protect ourselves?

    Reply

  11. Hi Bob,Thank you so much for what you have sent me.You have no idea what this means to me. At last i know what to do with confidence.Brilliant

    Reply

  12. Bob, thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to help us out here. Believe me it means a lot to many of us.

    Reply

  13. I liked all of the tactical dvd’s I received. great for home or away anyone going into law enforcement, military.
    I watch them daily. And yes you can publish this. Your friend Gerry L. Pope

    Reply

  16. Perfect technique. You do need to straighten his arm a bit or it won’t work.
    PS: When you practice knife attacks practice the GRAB AND STAB attack. Difficult to defend against because it is so fast!
    Not many clubs practise it.

    Reply

  17. Thanks Bob
    Excellent job explaining a great move, our crew over here in Aussie appreciate it.

    Reply

  18. I have received two free gifts ! And purchased two others !!! I love ?? all of them!!!!! . I’m so

    glad,happy,thankful and impressed with this organization!!!!. I live in mexico and the self defense info is fantastic !!!! Thank you God bless

    Reply

  21. Great information, police officers use this same move to subdue and handcuff someone.It is good to know.
    Thanks,
    Leonard”Rascal”Barnett

    Reply

  24. Greetings, Thanks for this needed information. Us older Americans can use the help. Here’s to a prepared citenrey. William.

    Reply

  26. The more I see this move, what is to keep him from jerking loose the minute you touch his hand. It’s a great move if his reaction are slow to resist.

    Reply

  28. A great technique. In response to R Albers if you add a quick counter/distraction e.g. Kick to the shin or ankle at the same time as you grab and then apply the technique you’ll find it works as the attacker has too much to think about.

    Reply

  31. Keep up the great work and the short videos. I have learned so much already and I am always looking forward to the next lessons. I am not the young man I once was and even though I am in very good physical shape for my age I do not have the strength and speed that I once did. That has frightened me since I started noticing that it was slipping a little bit on me. I started to feel more vulnerable or like I couldn’t hold my own anymore if I were confonted by someone that needed their ass kicked. The lessons I have received and have learned have helped me to feel like I am still capable of protecting myself and my lady when we go out. It seems there are always some young punks that think they have to start shit with someone almost twice their age. It’s nice to know that I can still teach them a lesson quickly that they may not quickly forget and it will be on their mind the next time they think they are going to mess with an old man.

    Reply

  34. thank you Bob Peirce for another great video the technique you just showed us is very effective I have used similar
    Variants of it in the past I hope that I
    Never have ti use any of what else I have leaned in self-defense. Please turn the volume up on the next video you make .

    Reply

  35. He demonstrated self defence techniques that an o’l timer like me can use. I will watch the video a few more times and return back to the text Great Tip – Review Montnly

    Reply

  39. Bob,

    Thank you so much for sharing this valuable tip! I really appreciate it! You went through it very slowly & patiently. Much appreciated.

    Reply

  40. The calm demeanor of the demonstrator means to me that this one really works well.
    Just to get it in my head correctly without a partner to practice on:
    Trap the attacker’s hand against me with my opposite hand, step back, make his arm straight, grip the attacker’s little finger side pad with my last three fingers and thumb, force his hand and arm to rotate inwardly using my hand, arm and shoulder, continue to rotate his hand toward the thumb side and grab the other side of his hand by the pad with my free hand and then continue to twist his arm until the back of his hand faces me, position my thumb or thumbs to apply pressure on the backside of the hand on the middle bone and knuckle joint of his controlled hand and then ………..nighty night pal.
    Thanks.

    Reply

  44. Thanks Bob!
    I learnt the wrist lock from a friend a long time ago who learnt it from a police officer.
    I never knew about leaving your index finger out or the middle knuckle pressure.
    This move has been effective for myself nevertheless, I have used it twice without knowing these other points and had my attackers face down on the ground with their arm locked behind their back in the blink of an eye.
    Thanks again.

    Reply

  45. This is a very good technique which i will be practising until i feel confident enough to carry out this move without thinking twice.
    If at first you dont succeed try, try again!

    Reply

  48. Great move. Especially the finish. Once humility kicks in, most will be praying that you stop, show restraint and walk away.

    Reply