Wrist locks still seem to be things of mystery to many mainstream martial artists and yet are commonly used in styles such as Aikido and Budo Taijutsu. These apparently simple techniques actually require very little effort when properly applied, but are virtually impossible to apply successfully without a true understanding of the principles of locking and the anatomical and physiological aspects of the technique. It should be remembered that all training should be taken under medical advisement and with the guidance of a qualified instructor.
The Wrist
The basic structure of the wrist is based around the radius and ulna bones of the forearm and the joints at which they connect with the carpal bones of the hand. Through rotation of the joint (a movement to which the wrist joint is resistant), a lock is applied to the radio-ulnar joint. By bringing these joints to their extreme positions, further locks can be stacked on to the elbow and shoulder respectively, often resulting in the locked individual experiencing significant pain and either being thrown to the ground or receiving damage to the joint and surroundings. From a standing position, the stacking of the joints often results in the trademark aikido-style throw. From a ground-fighting position, in which the space required to 'go with the flow' is not available, this can end in significant injury. As a side note, it should be recognised that these locks are based on principles which can be applied to other joints, particularly those of the ankle and neck.
Basic Omote Gyaku
The basic omote (or outer twist) forms one of the Kihon Happo (eight core techniques) of Budo Taijutsu. It is often practiced from a lapel grab. If the throw is performed on the opponent's right hand, then it is the left hand that takes a grip. The thumb is placed on the back of the hand- a good guideline is to place it somewhere in the region of the knuckles of the middle and ring finger- and the fingers hold around the fleshy pad of the thumb (and possibly the thumb itself). The hand is forcefully stripped from the grip on the lapel and the palm is turned to face the opponent, with the rest bent inwards. Following this the hand is then twisted out. The right hand can be used to apply extra force, though this is not always necessary.
Basic Ura Gyaku
The basic ura lock is another of the Kihon Happo techniques. In this lock, the right hand takes the gripping hand (assuming that the opponent grips with the right hand). Once again the hand is stripped from the grip, though it is wise to keep the hand close to the chest (it is possible to entangle the hand in the material it is gripping, which can add to the damage resulting from the technique). Once stripped, the hand is turned over, wrist bent, so that the fingers point upwards and the lock is stacked right along the arm. this may result in the opponent taking a hunched or bent-over position. the left hand provides the additional power in this technique, and the fingers are turned clockwise (for a right hand grip) towards the ground.
Hon Gyaku and Takeori
A variety of variations on the above two locks are possible. Takeori uses an inward bend of the wrist coupled with compression through the wrist and elbow. This creates an incredibly tight and painful lock. Hon Gyaku works by adding side flexion to the lock; the hand is turned little finger up, thumb down and pressure applied towards the little finger. This is painful with a straight arm, but becomes exponentially worse when the elbow is bent.
Concluding Remarks
The use of wrist locks should not be seen just as a way of taking someone to the ground: they can be applied in many other ways too, including as a control for someone who is on the ground or partially down. Furthermore, although several variants are outlined above, there are several other possible ways to manipulate the wrist to various effect. The best way to learn about such techniques is to find a reputable teacher: Aikido, Budo Taijutsu and many styles of Jiu Jutsu utilise a variety of wrist locks and can explain the underlying principles to the interested student in the safety of the dojo. For those interested in research, a selection of references are provided below.
Reference Material
The Akban Wiki provides videos and descriptions of many Budo techniques.
Gambordella, Ted. The Complete Book of Wrist Locks. Available on Amazon Kindle
Hatsumi, Masaaki. (2008). Unarmed Fighting Techniques of the Samurai. Kodansha International.
Thompson, Geoff. (2001). Groundfighting: Fighting from your Back. Summersdale.
David HIll - Hi. My name is David, though many people call me Dewi. Formerly studying for a Ph.D. student at Cardiff University (specialising in Welsh ...
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