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You Want These Dirty, Dirty Wrist Locks!
Exploring Wrist Locks With Travis Stevens
Travis Stevens has a superb understanding and mastery of using the wrist lock. This understanding allows Travis to be sneaky with his technique, often using it when an opponent least expects it. Travis Stevens is one of the most successful American Judo athletes in the history of martial arts. In 2016, he won the silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Rio. Travis has continued the American Judo tradition of his coach, the legendary Jimmy Pedro.
Travis Stevens' best submissions is the wrist lock... and he hits it from everywhere. If you're looking to up your submission game, check out these dirty, dirty wrist locks :)
Travis Stevens has received his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt from the legendary John Danaher in what may be a world record time of 18 months. For comparison it generally takes people about 18 months to go from a white belt to earning a blue belt. Travis Stevens highly favors the use of wrist locks in many different positions.
It is crucial to know that a wrist lock is available in any circumstance where you are able to touch your opponent’s hands. Of course, it can be easily defended from a variety of positions, but the mere act of defending a wrist lock can open up other attacks. Just because you do not finish the wrist lock does not mean you should not try. In fact the wrist lock may just be a transition into the position that leads you to getting a submission or scoring against an opponent in a tournament.
Watch this awesome video of Travis Stevens demonstrating a superb wrist lock and then we will break down his technique. Check it out now!
This is a really cool wrist lock and is also very effective. If you find yourself caught in bottom half guard often, this could be a great technique for you to hit a quick submission. Secure a four finger grip on the outside of the gi in order for this wrist lock to work. If you are against an opponent who is really good at controlling your arm with that grip you want to roll your arm to make the wrist face you. You should be looking to get your opponent’s knuckles looking right at you. Now turn your elbow in and roll your hip away. This will cause your training partner’s fingers to get trapped in your gi. From here, chop down on your opponent’s wrist. You should have wrist to wrist connectivity. Notice that your training partner’s wrist will bend when you do this, which is the movement you are looking for. Once you are here you can do a natural arm crossing motion to secure the wrist lock.
Travis is a master when it comes to hitting wrist locks. You may find it easier to pressure a fragile wrist than continue attacking where ever you are when thinking about submission positions. Every jiu jitsu practitioner is different. Some are hard to arm bar, some are hard to triangle. If you are in a position to do either of these moves it is highly likely of bunch of wrist locks are also available to you.
To check out some more wrist lock action from Travis Stevens watch the video below!
Did you know that Judo Olympic Silver Medalist, and John Danaher Black Belt thinks that the easiest Submission in BJJ Is Right Under Your Nose and You’re Missing It - The Wrist Lock.
Travis Stevens is widely regarded as one of the best grapplers on the planet, and uses wrist locks as a great equalizer in his training and competition. He uses wrist locks to create openings, as well as submit his opponents - even BJJ black belts - in positions that they would never expect
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