Why are wrist grabs such a common form of training in jujutsu/Aikido/Hapkido?

[Intermission]

Nobody would ever grab your wrist... They will grab your throat, or tackle you, or punch you

Were wrist grabs a way to develop techniques, spread information? It makes zero sense why people train for scenarios that doesn't happen.

 

[Kforcer]

Well, some people grab wrists...for example, aikido ukes. But I mean, wrestlers, no-gi grapplers, Sakuraba and Lou Thesz all were big into grabbing wrists. Kimura seemed to like it too.

 

[Intermission]

Well, some people grab wrists..

Not when they attack you

 

[Patrick Jane]

When someone attacks you, it makes sense that you pull out your weapon. At that point, a wrist grab becomes likely.

 

[ChickenBrother]

Aikido has defenses to attacker grabbing your wrist but that’s not the only one lol. They also train for attacker trying to punch or grab your throat, neck, lapel, arm, etc.

And that makes sense. The majority of the time if someone attacks you, it will be with a handheld weapon or otherwise a punch or grab. Grabbing THEIR wrist and controlling them with it shuts down their attack.

 

[Kforcer]

Not when they attack you

See the previously mentioned list.

 

[Intermission]

When someone attacks you, it makes sense that you pull out your weapon.

No time for that

 

[Patrick Jane]

No time for that

Skill issue.

 

[Intermission]

Skill issue.

If you go for your gun Alec Baldwin style you are gonna get punched in the face

 

[Patrick Jane]

If you go for your gun Alec Baldwin style you are gonna get punched in the face

 

[yetanother]

Nobody would ever grab your wrist... They will grab your throat, or tackle you, or punch you

Were wrist grabs a way to develop techniques, spread information? It makes zero sense why people train for scenarios that doesn't happen.

The counters to wrist grabs are cool.
If you try to show your untrained friend your aikido punch counter he will hit you in the face.

 

[seatea]

Well, some people grab wrists...for example, aikido ukes. But I mean, wrestlers, no-gi grapplers, Sakuraba and Lou Thesz all were big into grabbing wrists. Kimura seemed to like it too.

Used to be used in boxing as well.

 

[Rallarsvingare]

When I was young and trained some japanese ju jutsu and a little bit of Aikido I was taught that the wrist grabs were to stop someone from getting their sword. They even had some moves were someone grabbed your wrist, you countered and put the opponent on the floor while also pulling out your weapon of choice.

That place also had judo classes and sport ju jutsu(IJJF) classes. Most of those wristgrabs/self defense techniques didnt really work in the other classes so I stopped training them.

I dont think wristlocks techniques are totally useless but the way they are taught in traditional martial arts doesnt work anymore. It was not until I went to the Snake pit(catch wrestling) and trained with Roy Wood that I saw how they could be used in an effective way. Roy combines those wristlocks with regular handfighting techniques that are common in wrestling.

 

[DoctorTaco]

The counters to wrist grabs are cool.
If you try to show your untrained friend your aikido punch counter he will hit you in the face.

If you try to show me your aikido punch counter I will also hit you in the face

 

[shunyata]

Well, some people grab wrists...for example, aikido ukes. But I mean, wrestlers, no-gi grapplers, Sakuraba and Lou Thesz all were big into grabbing wrists. Kimura seemed to like it too.

I grab wrists all the time.

Collar ties too.

Wrestling and jiu jitsu both have deep and wonderful systems of grip / hand fighting.

There's a semi famous jiu jitsu guy, Pete the Greek, he wristlocks anyone who goes for wrist control on him.

But he doesn't call it aikido.

 

[ChickenBrother]

I grab wrists all the time.

Collar ties too.

Wrestling and jiu jitsu both have deep and wonderful systems of grip / hand fighting.

There's a semi famous jiu jitsu guy, Pete the Greek, he wristlocks anyone who goes for wrist control on him.

But he doesn't call it aikido.

After many years of habitually going for collar ties from the feet (in wrestling or nogi) or lapel grips in Judo/BJJ, I've recently started going for TDs from wrist/sleeve grip and I think they're objectively better. Collar/lapel grip is great for pushing or pulling other guy but it leaves their arm(s) free to attack or counter.

Wrist/sleeve grip is both a defense and an attack. Other guy can't do shit other than try to break your grip while you work a russian/2 on 1/arm drag/sode tsurikomi goshi/high crotch/go behind/kimura arm lock.

 

[shunyata]

After many years of habitually going for collar ties from the feet (in wrestling or nogi) or lapel grips in Judo/BJJ, I've recently started going for TDs from wrist/sleeve grip and I think they're objectively better. Collar/lapel grip is great for pushing or pulling other guy but it leaves their arm(s) free to attack or counter.

Wrist/sleeve grip is both a defense and an attack. Other guy can't do shit other than try to break your grip while you work a russian/2 on 1/arm drag/sode tsurikomi goshi/high crotch/go behind/kimura arm lock.

I like collar + wrist or collar + tricep because I'm looking to snapdown to front headlock or throw from a deep connection after forcing a clinch.

I have been messing with russian ties too though.

 

[ChickenBrother]

I like collar + wrist or collar + tricep because I'm looking to snapdown to front headlock or throw from a deep connection after forcing a clinch.

I have been messing with russian ties too though.

I'm always looking for a front headlock but HS wrestling and bullshit grip restrictions Judo brainwashed me into starting from a collar + tricep grip. That's decent but it's a default neutral position and basically invites other guy to take the same grips on you. It's the equivalent of jumping to 50/50 in BJJ. Fine if you're faster/better from that position but the older I get, the less success I have trying to beat the younger, faster, stronger guy to the punch and the more I'm having to rely on old man guile and treachery.

 

[shunyata]

I'm always looking for a front headlock but HS wrestling and bullshit grip restrictions Judo brainwashed me into starting from a collar + tricep grip. That's decent but it's a default neutral position and basically invites other guy to take the same grips on you. It's the equivalent of jumping to 50/50 in BJJ. Fine if you're faster/better from that position but the older I get, the less success I have trying to beat the younger, faster, stronger guy to the punch and the more I'm having to rely on old man guile and treachery.

I've been spoiled by loose BJJ standup rules, so I'll happily enter that 50/50 clinch and then bait a single leg to get to your neck or a kimura sumi gaeshi.

 

[ChickenBrother]

I've been spoiled by loose BJJ standup rules, so I'll happily enter that 50/50 clinch and then bait a single leg to get to your neck or a kimura sumi gaeshi.

Same. I've gotten lazy with the collar tie up because from there I can hit any TD I want on most of the BJJ guys I train with. But last year I started doing the adult class at my son's wrestling gym, and those guys make me pay for it.

And yeah, butterfly sweep with kimura grip is money and I go for that all the time in BJJ but it has mixed results in wrestling. When it works you look like a wizard. But when it doesn't (which is more often than not vs. good wrestlers), I'm the BJJ weirdo pinning himself with bullshit jiu jitsu lol.