Wrist Release: Opposite-Side Hand (Hitchhike Out)

This technique should be applied if the other party grabs you on the opposite/cross side (e.g., grabs your right hand with his right hand, reaching across your body).

Starting Position: Attacker grabs your left wrist with his left hand.

Rotate your wrist so that your thumb goes toward the weak part of the grip.

Pull in the direction of your shoulder, making a hitchhiking motion.

Move away, keeping your hands up.

Wrist Release: Two Hands Held High

This technique is useful when the other party holds both of your wrists up.

Starting Position: Stand facing your attacker, your elbows bent and hands in front of you.

As the attacker grabs your wrists, make an inward circular motion with both hands. Move your left hand clockwise and your right hand counterclockwise. As you make the motion, drop your chin to your chest, lowering your face and decreasing exposure to a headbutt, which may be intentional or accidental.

As your attacker’s hands release your wrists, take a small step back to increase the distance. Finish the circular motion so that your hands come outside of his hand and up in a modified fighting stance (in other words, up, but not in any sort of aggressive posture).

Wrist Release: Two Hands Held Down

Use this technique when the other party holds both your hands down.

Starting Position: Attacker grabs both your wrists from above.

Bring both hands inward and upward toward your face, making sure to curl your fingers to prevent accidentally poking yourself in the eyes.

Take a small step backward to create more distance.

Wrist Release: Wrist Held by Two Hands

Starting Position: Attacker grabs one of your wrists with both of his hands.

With your free hand, reach down and grab your caught hand, making a fist with the caught hand.

Pull the caught fist above the line of your attacker’s wrist.

Rotate your bent arm sharply, elbow in the air (as in Elbow #1), to release the wrist. Do NOT use the elbow to strike your attacker (remember, this is a soft technique).

Step away to make distance.

Groundfighting Back Position

The Position: You’re on your back, with head and shoulders up off the ground and chin tucked against your chest. Keep your hands up to protect your face.

Place one foot on the ground near your buttocks. Draw your other knee up close to your chest. Keep your hips off the ground.

Once you’ve taken this position, only a small part of your back and one foot should be touching the ground.

Back Position: Movement on the Ground

An attacker may try to scramble around to get at vital parts of your body. Your goal is to keep your feet between your body/head and the attacker. When a correct groundfighting position is taken, only the small of the back and one foot touch the ground, allowing for easier turning.

Starting Position: Back Position.

Use your planted foot to turn and stop.

Keep the foot closest to the attacker up for kicking purposes—e.g., if the attacker is circling to your left, pull your left foot up and use the right to turn. This makes it more difficult for the attacker to get around your guard.

Variation: If the attacker is at some distance, you may use your hands for a faster and more controlled turn.