| While most martial arts styles focus little time on | | | | range of movement. By grabbing your opponent's |
| teaching the mechanics and execution of armlocks, | | | | forearm and moving it downward while putting |
| they are an essential component for a few select | | | | upward pressure on his elbow, you can exert |
| disciplines. In fact, those who are learning karate, | | | | near-complete control. You can apply the upward |
| kung fu, and other styles for self-defense will find | | | | pressure with your hand, shoulder, knees, or any limb |
| this technique to be an important ingredient. | | | | or joint that is appropriate for your position. |
| Having said that, armlocks are mostly used as a | | | | The second type of armlock uses your opponent's |
| submission skill. Police, military personnel, and mental | | | | shoulder as a point of leverage. Because the shoulder |
| hospital employees often use them to exert control | | | | follows a rotational pattern, you'll have fewer |
| over those who might otherwise cause injury to | | | | opportunities to apply pressure. That said, once you |
| others. | | | | do, you'll have total control over your opponent. The |
| This article will provide a brief tour through the basics | | | | reason is because the receiver is forced to twist |
| and execution of arm locks. I'll explain why this martial | | | | their torso in order to reduce the pressure. Doing so |
| arts technique is often more effective that traditional | | | | eliminates their ability to respond. |
| finishing moves. I'll also describe the different types | | | | The third type of armlock places pressure on your |
| of locks and how they work. | | | | opponent's forearm. By twisting it beyond its normal |
| More Effective Than Finishing Moves | | | | range, you can squeeze the ulna and the radius |
| The goal of a finishing move is to end an attack or | | | | together, pinching the nerves and muscles in the |
| eliminate a threat. The problem is that the most | | | | process. It's painful. The receiver will twist his torso in |
| efficient ways to accomplish those objectives often | | | | order to relieve the discomfort, which restricts his |
| leave the attacker physically injured, or worse. Not | | | | movements. |
| only does that lead to legal issues and potential | | | | The Value Of Patience |
| repercussions, but the results are nearly always | | | | In aikido, tai chi, judo, and other martial arts that |
| unnecessary. | | | | teach armlocks, students are trained to wait for their |
| Armlocks represent an alternative. If performed | | | | opponents to make themselves vulnerable to locks. |
| properly, they will restrain an assailant without causing | | | | That is, if you are patient, your opponent will provide |
| him or her injury. In fact, this is one of the reasons | | | | the opportunity to apply pressure to their elbows, |
| many police and sheriff departments train their | | | | shoulders, and forearms. Oddly, in many cases, they'll |
| officers to use them. In mixed martial arts | | | | do so in the process of trying to avoid an armlock. |
| competitions, this strategy is used to immobilize and | | | | For example, an assailant will often bend his arm to |
| submit opponents. | | | | prevent an elbow lock or extend it to avoid a |
| Types Of Arm Locks | | | | shoulder lock. Both circumstances provide another |
| In order to execute arm locks without causing | | | | opportunity to lock them. |
| unnecessary harm to the receiver, it's important to | | | | Armlocks are a devastatingly effective martial arts |
| have a basic understanding regarding how the arm | | | | technique when they are applied properly. Whether |
| works. I'll introduce the three main locking techniques | | | | you're using them in a tournament atmosphere or to |
| below. As I explain their mechanics, you'll understand | | | | restrain a would-be attacker, learn the mechanics |
| the levers that give them their potency. | | | | behind the target joints in order to control your |
| The first type is a straight lock. It uses the elbow as | | | | opponent. |
| a lever. Normally, your elbow gives your arm a limited | | | | |