Wrist Lock from Side Control
Submission · Side Control
A wrist lock: his hand is bent back toward the back of his forearm beyond its range. It comes from side control when he pushes on your chest with a bent wrist, palm flat on you. Cover the back of his hand with both of yours to pin the palm to your chest, keep his elbow bent and low, then lean your chest slowly over the hand: the chest bends the wrist, the hands only hold it. Another finish is to cup his elbow with both hands and drive your weight down onto the bent wrist. The detail people miss: with a straight arm the wrist has room, so push the elbow down first. If he pulls the hand away, stay in side control; if he straightens the arm, take the near side armbar. A few centimetres decide it: apply slowly; banned for white belts in IBJJF.
How to do it
- When they push on your chest with a bent wrist, trap the hand there before they take it away. Keep your side control weight on them; do not give up the position for the wrist.
- Cover the back of their hand with both of yours, pressing the palm flat against your chest.
- Keep their elbow bent and low. If the arm is straight the wrist has room; push the elbow down so the arm bends.
- Lean your chest forward over the hand, slowly. Your chest bends the wrist; your hands only hold the hand in place.
- Another finish: cup their elbow with both hands and drive your weight down onto the bent wrist. Apply it as a short, slow movement and wait for the tap.
Key details
- Your chest leans over the hand; the arms only hold it. Body weight bends the wrist far more steadily than arm strength.
- Their elbow must be bent and low. Only then is the wrist at the end of its range when your chest moves forward.
- Short movement, applied slowly. The wrist has little range, so a few centimetres decide between pressure and injury.
- Another finish: cup their elbow with both hands and drive your weight down onto the bent wrist. It works when the hand is pinned but the elbow starts to rise.
- When his frame is on your shoulder or neck, put your chin into the bend of his wrist: the chin stops the hand sliding out, and if he pushes the hand toward your chest the lock only gets tighter. Roll your shoulder or chest over the top of his hand rather than pushing straight down.
Common mistakes
- Their arm is straight. — The wrist has room and does not bend. — Push the elbow down so the arm bends.
- Jerking the lock. — The wrist ligaments tear quickly under a jerk. — Lean forward slowly and wait for the tap.
- Losing your position while working the wrist. — They escape while you focus on the wrist. — Keep your side control weight on them.
How to drill it
5 slow wrist locks each side.
Safety
Legal for adults from blue belt (banned for white belts in IBJJF) but injures fast: always slowly.
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