KerwinBenson.com Hidden Gems of Martial Arts

Do you use joint locks? Are you a wrist lock artist?

If you do use joint locks, do you prefer big long motions, like the flowing motions of aikido (akido), or do you prefer the small, tight motions often found in some of the ju jitsu styles?

Did you know that both have advantages and disadvantages?

Joint Locks: Big Motions

[Aikido enthusiast, don't click away just yet.]

What I mean is that as long as you keep your opponent moving in the direction you want him (or her) to go, you have a good chance of success. Of course, balance is a big part of the equation in the longer, flowing motions.

You need to keep your attacker off balance while leading him or her to your desired position -- a good joint lock.

The aikido 'shoulder-shove arm bar' (found on page 46-48 of the hardback version of Wrist Locks: From Protecting Yourself to Becoming an Expert) is an example of a long, flowing lock.

As long as you keep pressure against your opponent's elbow during the circular motion, you should be successful.

So, what's the disadvantage of the bigger motion joint locks?

You are giving your opponent a lot of time to react. By react, I mean counter or reverse your wrist lock. You especially have to watch for the opponent who is familiar with the particular technique you are effecting.

In the examp-le of the shoulder shove, from above -- if your attacker can get ahead of your circular motion, he or she can release the pressure against the elbow.

That release may give just enough time to counter with a hit or another lock.

Joint Locks: Little Motions

A smaller, quicker technique causes pain much earlier in the equation. You also reach your goal quickly -- often before your opponent has time to react.

You have less distance to travel -- often pain is achieved within just a couple of inches of movement.

Are there disadvantages to small motion joint locks?

There are advantages and disadvantages to just about every technique in martial arts and self defense.

One of the biggest disadvantage to performing a short, quick technique is that it's hard to effect the lock against a resister. If your opponent tenses, you could have a very hard time trying to force your lock.

You could also expose yourself to danger by focusing on your lock -- you may miss the punch speeding in towards your face.

End Note:

Example -- whenever someone tries a big flowing motion on me, I see if I can get 'ahead' of their movement -- I travel the same circle -- I just get there faster, to take the pressure off my joint.

Of course, there is a downside to this tactic too. You have to be very careful if you try to get ahead of the motion. Why?

Rather than explain myself, allow me to quote directly from Miah Kerber. Miah is a loyal subscriber to Martial Arts Mastery, and he is one of the martial arts thinkers out there. I applaud his careful consideration of tactics and techniques.

Here's what Miah had to say:

"From what I've seen, your idea of getting out infront of the pressure to escape an akido technique is exactly the reaction a skilled aikidoka is looking for.

Picture a maze. There's only one way through, everything else is blocked. An skilled Aikidoist is looking to give you one way to go to spare yourself some damage, sometimes up, sometimes down, sometimes sideways into a circle. But as you move to get away from that initial pressure, they change forcing you to change, and because you are reacting to them they continue to put you into a worse and worse position."

Good luck with your joint locking!