by Keith Pascal

Wrist Locks Opponent

The man facing you rushes in close. You respond the way you have been trained. Unfortunately, your counters aren't smooth. Your techniques aren't going as planned ... and practiced.

Before you know it, your opponent wrist locks or joint locks you.

What do you do?

My first advice is not to play your attacker's game. If he is a wrist lock artist, then you probably shouldn't try to wrist lock your opponent.

You'd do better to hit and/or kick.

In fact, whether or not you decide to try to counter your opponent's lock with another lock of your own, you should still strike first. Soften him up a bit, so to speak. Tenderize him in preparation for your wrist lock reversal.

If you happen to know a lot of joint locks, arm bars and their reversals, then you may choose to trade lock for lock. He locks you, and suddenly you reverse the lock and lock the big brute.

Good idea -- I'd still hit first.

Hit Even Before Thinking About Wrist Locking Your Opponent

Ok, so you don't react that quickly. He manages to get into position for a good lock.

You kick your opponent in the shins. He screams in pain ... or at least looks down at his shins, and ... BAM ... you reverse the lock ... and then eye jab him, for good measure.

The next time an opponent tries to wrist lock you, whether you respond with a lock or not, you should think about countering with a strike ... or a barrage of hits.

A series of speed hits might do the trick against a wrist-locking opponent. especially if he hasn't yet gained complete control of you.

Of all of the martial arts books written by Keith Pascal, Wrist Locks: From Protecting Yourself to Becoming an Expert is the book that martial artists enjoy working through the most.

Now, this new and revised edition has 423 new photos -- joint-lock sequences to help you control others with ease. It also boasts new locks and two new bonus chapters, featuring Steve Golden, an original Bruce Lee and Ed Parker student.