Joint-Locking Techniques
A lock is pressure applied to a joint to overextend the natural direction of movement of the joint, in order to cause either dislocation of the joint or soft tissue damage within the joint.
Locks can only be applied to joints. Once a lock has been effectively applied, there is no escape.
Locks are a very valuable method of controlling free attacks because they offer the defender a range of options from causing extreme pain and dislocation to subtle controlling techniques that cause very little damage to the attacker’s joints. Getting locks to work correctly requires time to learn how the joint works in order to apply the correct amount of pressure at the correct angle to cause the most pain for the least amount of effort.
Effective locks need to apply the following set of principles in order to control an attacker with a minimum of effort.
1. There must be no possibility of being able to escape from the lock once it has been applied.
2. Locks must be applied to joints and the pressure must be applied at the best possible angle to gain the best effect.
3. The attacker must not have any possibility of striking the defender while in the lock.
4. The possibility of the attacker escaping while getting into the lock must be kept to a minimum by the use of off balancing.
5. A range of follow up techniques, either locks or throws, must be possible if the attacker does manage to resist the initial lock.
Locks provide an effective method of defence and of controlling an attacker with minimum damage to the attacker with a minimum of effort by the defender.