Small Joint Manipulation: Finger Locks & Toe Locks

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Banned from many sport competitions, finger locks and toe locks are both versions of small joint manipulation. The reason for this banning is because unlike the larger joints, small joints are easily fractured, since they don’t require much leverage or power behind the attack. Finger locks in particular are easy to do, and use of… Read more »

BJJ Ankle Locks

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Ankle Locks and Compression Holds As with arms, legs have secondary joints at their extremities, namely the ankle. When performing ankle holds, similar to wrist holds or locks, the goal is to hyper extended or hyper rotate the ankle into a position where it wasn’t meant to be. This often includes a secondary type of… Read more »

BJJ Leg Locks

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Comparisons to Arm Locks and One Basic Leg Lock Technique   While wrist locks and armbars are all well and good, sometimes you get unlucky. Should an opponent not prove susceptible to any of the above techniques, either because of improper execution on your behalf or because you couldn’t get them into position, there is… Read more »

The Omoplata Attacks Your Opponent’s Shoulder

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We’ve already covered a basic set of wrist and arm locks, now let’s take a look at one classic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique, the omoplata. Unlike the classical armbar technique, where the joint under pressure is the elbow, this is actually a shoulder lock technique. It is applied from the guard position, same as the armbar…. Read more »

BJJ Arm Locks, Guard Review, Basic Armbar Technique

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Arm locks are a common grappling technique that can be used to get a quick submission, as they are potentially more damaging than wrist locks. These locks affect both the elbow and shoulder of an opponent, and that means greater leverage. As anyone who’s been subject to BJJ techniques can tell you, more leverage means… Read more »

What is a Joint Lock?

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A joint lock, at its heart, is a method forcing an opponent’s limbs or joints to move in a way nature never intended. This causes great pain, and can be very damaging, with several of the techniques resulting in disability or injuries that often require surgery. Again, and I can’t stress this enough, don’t do… Read more »

Non-rotational Wrist Locks, One Basic Technique With Two Applications

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Wrist locks aren’t necessarily rotational. In the last article, we covered a basic rotational lock, the same side supinating lock. It’s simple, effective, and easy to practice with a willing partner and under trained supervision. This time, we will be reviewing a different type of wrist lock. These are not always effective, nor necessarily as… Read more »