Fight Fast Blog

I’ve posted a short video tip for you on this blog update as it’s easier to show than to describe.

If you want to read up on it, here’s the story…

My young son (15) comes 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. As you can imagine, the seniors can be a bit intimidating due to their physical size. (Albeit, overconfidence comes with that scenario too. Another blog.)

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

Here’s the thing… grabs are really dumb moves by your opponent.

Why?

Cuz they aren’t much of a devastating technique as they lack in aggressiveness to a point of sending the message that they actually have not fully decided or committed to the idea of inflicting serious pain on you. They are, however, building themselves up to that decision. So upon the aggressive effort of grabbing you, it’s time for you to act.

Here’s the dumb part though… they are not only giving you their hand — one of their primary striking tools — they are also communicating exactly where it is. This is to your distinct advantage.

You are inclined to use their stupidity against them.

Here’s how.

First, 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.

Second, use your last three fingers and your thumb to secure a grip on their hand.

Third, 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, twist 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.

Now, I need to give credit to those who taught me this particular move.

Randy Wanner and Bob Taylor demonstrate this move in their TRS/Fight Fast DVD titled Unarmed & Fearless. Wanner is a Hwa Rang Do Black Belt with amazing skills and an absolute master of joint lock moves to control and gain compliance on an adversary.

Remember 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.