Using Wrist Locks from Other Submissions

Wrist locks may be one of the most powerful submissions that you can use.  The wrist is filled with tiny bones and does not have much muscle mass surrounding it.  You can break the wrist in so many different directions.  The wrist lock is also one of the most underutilized submissions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Check out our article “Level the playing field, attack the wrist” for some basic knowledge on wrist locks.

Today, we are discussing the wrist lock from other submissions.  For example, using a wrist lock from the arm bar or triangle position.  The wrist lock is an excellent finishing choice from many different submissions.  You can use the wrist lock from an arm bar position, triangle position, and kimura position.  There are many other wrist locks, but these are some of the best places to use the wrist lock from.

The Wrist Lock from Arm Bar

The arm bar is one of the most popular submissions in bjj.  Some people find the arm bar very difficult to finish while other think it is very easy.  Today we are going to discuss applying a wrist lock from the arm bar.  Sometimes when your opponent is defending the arm bar with grips, or just moving their thumb around you can apply a very tight wrist lock.

The wrist is often something that your opponent won’t be defending because they are heavily preoccupied defending the arm.  This will allow you to use the element of surprise and attack their wrist.  You can use a kimura grip or go 2 on 1 on their wrist and apply a wrist lock in several different directions.  Check out the video below to see what we mean.

The Wrist Lock from Triangle

Much like the arm bar, the triangle or diamond position is an excellent position to attack the wrist.  Just like with the arm bar, your opponent will likely be preoccupied defending the triangle or expecting a more common submission like the arm bar this will allow you to attack the wrist.  The wrist is very hard to defend.  Check out our article “Two reasons to learn wrist locks” where we talk about why you should learn them, also, check out this video below that talks about finishing concepts to wrist locks.

The Wrist Lock from Kimura

The wrist lock is also an excellent option from the kimura position. Whether you have a kimura from guard, mount, side, or really anywhere, you can usually attack the wrist.  The kimura gives you excellent control over one of your opponent’s arms and that is all you need to get the wrist.  Again, like we spoke about above, the element of surprise is in your favor.  Check out this wrist lock from the kimura in side control with Judo Olympic Silver Medalist, Travis Stevens.

If you want to learn some sneaky wrist locks for yourself, check out Jamico Elders DVD “Scientific Wrist Destruction.”  Jamico is a black Belt and bjj and is notorious for having some of the best wrist locks in the game.