Wrist

The American Self Protection Association, Inc.

Home of America's first Mixed Martial Art Training Method for the Entire Family

Wrist

1. AGAINST WRIST GRIPS

We start with the study of defenses against wrist grips because they are the most appropriate for the demonstration and application of the five principles to the beginner.

Left Grip on Right Wrist: D is in right guard 1. A is reaching with his left hand for D's right wrist.

(a) BEFORE: D uses a right parry 6 to slash and deflect A's left wrist while pivoting to the rear left on the right foot. D follows (if necessary in his judgment) with a one- or two-hand slash, right palm down, across A's nose bridge, then a thrust to the midsection, and a two-hand slash to the outside of A's left knee (Figs. 1-6). D then slides his right foot back and takes a left guard 3. In an actual self-protective situation, the first slash properly delivered would be more than enough to momentarily incapacitate an attacker. In training, however, you should follow through with successive retaliations in order to develop speed, accuracy, and fluidity of motion.

(b) SECURED: D kicks A's shinbone with a low direct kick, using the foot corresponding to A's grip (Fig. 7). Depending on the force of the impact and the sensitivity of A's shinbone, two things may happen. (i) A lets go. Then D slides back his right foot and takes guard 3, unless, of course, he wishes to continue with retaliations, as described above, because they are warranted in his judgment. (ii) A reacts to the kick but does not let go. Then, upon A's reaction, D overrides A's left wrist with a clockwise motion of the stick. Now D comes to grasp the stick from under with his left hand, which he slides under his right wrist. A's wrist is now wedged between D's crossed wrists (Fig. B). D tightens his grip and pulls A sharply down while retreating a few steps. This breaks A's grip. Overriding A's wrist with a counterclockwise motion of the stick, without D's wrists being crossed, will also work (Fig. 9). D delivers a spring-slash to A's left temple (Figs. 10, 11).

Right Grip on Right Wrist: D is in the right guard 1. A is reaching with his right hand for D's right wrist.

(a) BEFORE: D sidesteps to his left and deflects A's right wrist or forearm with a parry 2. He continues with a circular spring-slash to the same area, delivered after first pivoting to the right on the ball of the left foot and then stepping back with the left. One possible follow-through is to proceed in rapid succession with a thrust to the midsection and a slash to the right knee. Pay attention to the footwork (Figs. 12-15).

(b) SECURED: Same as Left Grip (b ii), p. 96, but the override is clockwise only and is followed by a severe wristlock, which D may use by tightening his grip and curling his wrists downward to bring A to his knees and then immobilize him face down. This is the crossed-wrist control (Figs. 16-18).

Double Grip on Wrist from Above: D is in the right guard 1. A attempts a double grip on D's right wrist from above the thumb.

(a) BEFORE: As in the previous techniques Left Grip (a) and Right Grip (a), pp. 94, 97. Both techniques apply.

(b) SECURED: As in Right Grip (b) above, except that both of A's wrists are wedged instead of one, which is even more painful.

Double Grip on Wrist from Under: This refers to the situation where D has lifted his arm holding the stick high and A has succeeded in grabbing it from below.

D delivers a low direct kick to A's closest shinbone (Figs. 19, 20). Remember that in this case, as earlier mentioned, if A lets go, D takes guard 3, after any retaliation. In the technique we are describing here, it is assumed that A still hangs on to his grip. This may be due either to the fact that D did not choose to kick hard enough, aiming only to create a diversion so that he can exploit it, or because A can resist the pain inflicted.

If A retains his grip, D grasps the upper tip of the stick with the left hand and, loosening his right grip, slides the stick lower and brings its tip against A's face, throat, or collarbone. D then inserts the stick under A's left wrist and breaks the double grip using a wide counterclockwise rotation of the stick, first under A's left wrist, then over his right. Now D thrusts to A's midsection and slashes at the most accessible knee (Figs. 21-24).

Assuming that D wants to bring A under control, he may throw and immobilize him as follows. When A doubles up under the impact of D's thrust, D comes behind A and, sliding his stick in front of A's shinbones, D takes a symmetrical double grip on the stick on either side of A's ankles. Pulling smartly with his arms, and pushing with the upper part of his body against the back of A's knees and calves, D throws A face down. This is the shin-block throw. During A's fall, D slides the stick away from in front of A's shins and immobilizes him by applying pressure on the Achilles' tendons on either side of A's ankles. This is the Achilles' heel pin, or the Achilles pin. D may also hold it by kneeling on the stick, thus freeing one or both hands (Figs. 25-27).

Double Grip on Two Wrists D is in guard 2

(a) BEFORE: When A is about to touch D's wrists (in other words, when he is committed to his attack), D bends his wrists fully upward, steps back with one foot (e.g., the right), and lifts his arms while bending well at the knees. All this is done simultaneously and foils A in his attempt to catch D's wrists. D delivers a right slash to A's left ribs, followed by a thrust to the midsection and a slash to A's right side (Figs. 28-30).

(b) SECURED: A has secured a firm grip on D's wrists. D kicks A's most accessible shinbone with his left foot, sets it on the ground, opens the left hand and overrides A's wrists with the stick; using a counterclockwise motion of his right wrist (Figs. 31, 32). Bringing the leading tip (i.e., the tip closest to the potential impact area) close to his left hand, D grasps it and sharply pulls the stick down as he retreats (Fig. 33). The pull, which must come from D's shoulders, breaks A's grip. D sidesteps to the left, then follows with a right circular spring-slash to one or both of A's wrists and with a thrust to the midsection (Figs. 34-36). When A doubles up, D slides behind him and throws him with a shin block, followed by an Achilles pin.

Hand Grip with Pull

D is in guard 1, holding the stick with his left hand. A grabs his right hand and pulls him violently in order to spin him around and come behind his back to apply a choke or an armlock. D goes along with the pull, leading with the hips, but without allowing A to spin him around. Leading with the hips, D takes a jump, with the left foot landing near A's right foot (Fig. 37). In the process, D delivers a right low direct kick to A's right shinbone and, pushing ahead with his right hand, he ducks under A's right arm, and pivots leftward on the ball of his right foot. Using his leftward momentum, D delivers a left slash under A's armpit (Figs. 38, 39). D slides behind him in order to apply the figure-four stick-choke as follows. With his left hand, D slides the stick across A's throat and cradles its leading tip in the bend of his right elbow, while with his right hand he pushes the back of A's head toward the stick. D must try to bring his elbows as close to each other as possible and keep A's balance broken backward (Figs. 40-42). In order to achieve this, he might have to knee A's lower back.

Caution! This is a very dangerous choke. Practice with great care and use only if you are in serious danger and it is warranted. Should D take A to the ground fast, D facing down, D's feet sliding backward, this choke could prove fatal to A. However, with proper care it can be practiced quite safely. Alternatively, when D is behind A, he may use the shin-block throw and Achilles pin (see Figs. 25-27, p. 101). D may also choose to stop after the slash on A's ribs, or to supplement it with a forward push and a kneeing to A's lower back. This illustrates the variety of possible combinations and the choices of degree of severity of retaliation open to D.

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