Stick Grabbing

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

Stick Grabbing

10. AGAINST AN OPPONENT GRABBING THE STICK

When A secures a grip on D's stick, there are two distinct possibilities: D is about as strong or stronger than A, in which case the techniques will practically always work; or D is weaker than A, meaning that only very considerable training will allow D to defend himself. In the latter case, D's chances of success will always be proportional to the degree of surprise he is able to achieve. The techniques described below therefore emphasize the element of surprise.
Left-Hand Grip: Thumb Pointing Down D is in right guard 1 and A grabs the stick below D's grip with the left hand, thumb pointing down. D immediately kicks A's nearest shinbone with the left foot (low direct kick) while bringing the left fist in front of his chest in a protective posture (Figs. 1, 2). In this and all the following techniques where D kicks A, if A ceases his attack, D at once retreats and takes the guard 3.

Assuming that A hangs on, D grabs the stick by the middle with the left hand, palm facing away from him (Fig. 3). He may thrust to A's lower abdomen with the long end. Now D sidesteps to the right with the right foot, bends his knees, and lifts the stick high enough to enable him to hook A's wrist with his fingers and press the wrist against the stick in contact with his right thumb. By directing the right tip of the stick (short end) downward and in the direction of A's body, D applies pressure against A's ulna (underside of the forearm) and brings him to his knees. Pulling the stick away from him, while maintaining the pressure on the ulna, will put A face to the ground. D may immobilize A by kneeling with his right knee just above A's left elbow (Figs. 4, 5).

Left-Hand Grip: Thumb Pointing Up

This is similar to the previous attack except that now A's thumb is pointing up. D immediately kicks A's closest shinbone with the left foot and, upon A's reaction, twists his own right wrist counterclockwise so that the stick is vertical. D grasps the upper part of the stick with his left hand and immediately secures a full grip on A's left hand by sliding his right hand upward. Leading with the left hand, which is always holding the stick, he spirals with a wide leftward (counterclockwise) motion toward the ground, pulling A with him. In the process, D, using his right fingers, curls A's left fingers in as if he were trying to force them into A's palm. By maintaining the pressure with his fingers D brings A to the ground, face down. D may further immobilize A by kneeling above his left elbow with the right knee. This is an inverted wrist stick-control (Figs. 6-8).

Outer Right-Hand Grip

D is in guard 2. A grabs the tip of the stick with his right hand to the outer side of D's left hand (Fig. 9). D kicks A's nearest shinbone with the left foot and pushes down with his right hand so that the stick becomes vertical. Upon A's opposing reaction, D reverses the direction of his motion and digs into A's sternum, throat, or face with the left-hand tip. This will make A release his hold (Fig. 10).

Middle Right-Hand Grip

D is in guard 2. The same technique as for Outer Right-Hand Grip, above, applies when A grabs the stick between D's hands. Similar techniques apply also to two-hand grips on the stick. In all, it is essential that the stick be brought up to the vertical by D while he drops his hips. From that position D will either apply pressure against A's ulna, forcing A to release his grip, or he will dig the tip of the stick into A's body (Figs. 11-14).

11. AGAINST AN OPPONENT GRABBING THE STICK: Advanced Techniques

We will now deal with some advanced techniques which require a keen sense of timing and are best exemplified by defenses against rushing attacks.

Headlong Rushing Attack

(a) BEFORE: There are two possibilities.

(i) D is in left guard 3. A rushes at him in an attempt to grab the foremost tip of the stick with both hands (Fig. 1). As he is about to reach it, D steps back with the right foot and pivots to the rear left, removing the tip of the stick from A's reach, and immediately delivers a right or a left circular spring-slash to A's hands, wrists, or forearms.

(ii) D is again in guard 3, and A rushes to grab the stick, developing considerable momentum in the process. D leads A in the direction of the attack, keeping the stick just ahead of A's grasp, while pivoting clockwise. Suddenly, passing the stick over A's head, he sweeps one or two feet from under him in a leg-lift throw (Fig. 2). Caution: This technique works only if A has developed substantial momentum, making the fall very hard. Do not practice with partners who are not well trained in breakfalls. Instead of a leg-lift throw, D may, reversing the motion of the stick, slash A across the nape, and then follow through with other slashes and thrusts.

(b) SECURED: Should A secure a grip on the stick, D steps back with the left foot, bends the knees, and using the left hand as a fulcrum, brings the stick to the vertical by pushing down with the right hand. According to A's reaction, D may bring his left foot forward, digging the right-hand tip of the stick into A's lower abdomen, side of neck, or face (Figs. 3, 4). Alternatively, D may step forward with the left foot and, with extended arms, pivot clockwise in a complete about-face, pushing the upper end of the stick first up, then down behind A's head (Figs. 5-8). This will have either of two effects: either A's balance will be broken and he will fall on his back, releasing his grip in order to break his fall; or he will spin around so that D may apply pressure on his right ulna, bring him to his knees, and then force him down face to the ground.

Rushing Attack with Double Grip

D is in right guard 3. Right hand foremost, A rushes and grabs the stick with two hands (Fig. 9). There are several possible defenses.

(i) D leads A in a wide rightward circle (clockwise) and overrides A's left wrist on the ulna side with the end of the stick held by A. Upon applying a digging downward and forward thrust toward A, he forces him to his knees. With another thrust against his chest, D may put A on his back, or if A retains a grip, the stick will put him face down.

(ii) D may, after A has secured a grip, move his hands in a vertical circle, directing the stick above A's head, then pulling it down behind A's furthest shoulder. If A does not let go, he will be thrown on his back. If A lets go, D may continue with thrusts and slashes.

(iii) In a similar situation to (ii) above, D may also lead A in the direction in which he is rushing. When A is past D's right side, D steps toward A with the left foot and, pivoting in a complete clockwise circle, drops his own end of the stick in order to lift the tip A is holding well above A's head. D throws him on his back by pulling down the stick behind A's back following the line of A's spine. If A does not fall, D thrusts the stick in the direction of A's chest by reversing his motion. A will either let go or be thrown on his back.

Double Grip with Stiff Arms

D is in guard 2. A has secured a grip with both hands on either side of D's right hand.

(i) D and A are close together and A has a firm grip on the stick, arms almost fully extended. D relaxes and initiates a leftward pivot, which is resisted by A. As A pulls in the opposite direction, D blends in with and accentuates A's motion. D steps with the left foot between his own right foot and A's feet, bends the knees well and, positioning the stick vertically, D lifts his arms while completing the about-turn pivot. D throws A on his back by pulling his hands behind the head as earlier illustrated (see Figs. 6-8, p. 178). The stick is released by A in order to break his fall.

(ii) A general defense against similar situations is as follows. With his left hand, D grasps A's right hand from above so as to cover the wrist and the thumb, He leads A in a wide rightward (clockwise) circle, which D initiates by stepping with the left foot near and to the outside of A's right foot; while pivoting to his right rear. D leads A's right hand with an extended left arm, D and A facing the same direction. When D feels A's resistance to this lead, he steps back with the left foot and pivots to face A, suddenly changing direction. With the right hand, D then applies pressure on A's right fingers, following their lines as if he wanted to curl them into A's palm (Fig. 10). At the same time, D twists A's hand and wrist in the direction of his radius (thumb side) and pulls it sharply down toward his own left. This composite motion will throw A on his back and loosen A's grip on the stick. D may kick A's right side with a right low direct kick if necessary to take away the stick (Fig. 11). We have seen this wrist control applied in Holdup from the Rear (i), p. 162.

Double Grip on the Tip with Pull

A has secured a double grip on the tip of D's stick and pulls. D pulls back in order to make A pull even harder, then suddenly he pushes hard, thrusting the stick sharply toward A's groin in the direction of the ground, aiming well beyond A. Properly performed, this push will throw A on his back, or at least get him to release the stick (Fig. 12).

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