Wrist Lock from Guard

Submission · Closed Guard

A wrist lock from closed guard: the wrist is bent forward, palm toward forearm, under the weight of your chest. It comes when they sit upright and grip your lapel or push on your chest, often to defend another attack. Trap the hand flat on your chest and cover its back with both of yours so the palm stays glued to you. Pull them in with the closed guard so their elbow bends and drops lower than their wrist: that angle is what loads the joint. Then curl your chest forward over the hand, slowly; the chest does the work, the arms only hold. If they let go of the lapel, hit the arm drag to the back; if they straighten the arm, go to the armbar from guard. IBJJF bans wrist locks for white belts, and they injure fast.

How to do it

  1. When they grip your lapel or push on your chest, trap the hand flat on your chest.
  2. Cover the back of the hand with both of yours so the palm stays glued to you.
  3. Keep the guard closed and pull them in with your legs so their elbow bends and drops lower than their wrist.
  4. Curl your chest forward over the hand, slowly, to bend the wrist; your chest does the work, not your arms, and stop at the tap.

Key details

  • Their elbow must be bent and lower than their wrist: that angle is what bends the joint.
  • Your chest does the work, not your arms: the arms only keep the hand pinned.
  • Small movement, but always slow and controlled.
  • Best as a second layer: when they grip your lapel to defend another attack, the wrist is exposed.
  • IBJJF: not allowed for white belts or kids; legal for adults from blue belt.
  • Bend the arm with your hand, not only with the legs: reach over and pull their elbow in until it touches your stomach, keep it glued to your body, then cover the hand and turn your torso.

Common mistakes

  • Their arm is straight. — A straight arm lets the wrist move, so it does not bend. — Pull them in with the guard so the elbow bends.
  • Jerking the lock. — Wrist ligaments tear easily and without much warning. — Lean forward slowly and stop at the tap.
  • Opening the guard. — They lean back and pull the hand away. — Keep the legs locked so they stay close.

How to drill it

5 slow wrist locks each side on a cooperative partner.

Safety

IBJJF bans wrist locks for white belts. They injure fast: always slowly.

What comes next

  • Arm Drag to Back
  • Armbar from Guard
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