Hand Fighting by Stephen Whittier
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Hand Fighting Defence·BJJ Fanatics
HAND FIGHTING https://bjjfanatics.com This video teaches hand fighting basics in BJJ. Stephen Whittier is one of the m…
Hand Fighting Defence
SubFamilyハンドファイティングディフェンス(Hando Faitingu Difensu)
TransliterationTranslation: hand fighting defence
Overview
The Hand Fighting Defence subfamily covers choke defensive techniques that focus on controlling the opponent's hands and grips to prevent them from securing the choking position. [1] Hand fighting is the most active and proactive form of choke defence — rather than passively blocking access to the neck, the defender actively fights the opponent's hands to strip grips, prevent cross-collar entries, and block the arm from threading under the chin. [1],[2] Effective hand fighting defence requires constant tactile awareness and the ability to prioritise which hand to fight based on the choke being attempted. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Hand fighting defence strips and controls the opponent's hands to prevent choke and submission entries. [1]
Lineage
Hand fighting from bottom/defensive positions is fundamental in BJJ and MMA. [1]
Competition Record
Essential in MMA back control defence. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Intercepting an incoming strike using a rigid arm, forearm, or shin structure to absorb or redirect force
Joints Involved — Forearm and elbow (primary blocking surface), shoulder (positioning), core (absorbing residual force)
Force Vector — Perpendicular to the incoming strike — meeting the attack at an angle dissipates force across the blocking surface
Defensive Mechanic — Hard blocks absorb impact directly; soft blocks redirect the strike's trajectory away from the target
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Maintain guard position, raise the forearm or shin to intercept the incoming strike before it reaches the target
As reactive defence — When the attack is detected, move the blocking limb into the strike's path to absorb or deflect the force
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Submission defence involves resisting joint locks/chokes; risk of injury if defence fails or is delayed
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal — defensive techniques are fundamental to g...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— UWW — Legal defensive technique
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Hand fighting defence is the most technical and important aspect of choke defence — controlling the opponent's hands prevents any choke from being applied (Danaher, Back Attacks, 2018)
✓The primary rule: two hands beat one — always use both hands to control the opponent's more advanced (choking) hand
✓Grip the opponent's wrist with both hands and peel it away from your neck — control the wrist, not the forearm
✓When the opponent has back control, maintain at least one hand on the choking hand at all times — never let both hands work offence
✓Hand fighting is a war of attrition — the opponent will keep trying; you must continuously strip and re-strip their grips
✓The sequence matters: fight the more dangerous hand first (the one closer to completing the choke)
✓Wrist-to-wrist contact gives you the most control — grab the bony part of the wrist, not the meaty forearm
Common Mistakes
!Fighting both hands equally — prioritize the more advanced (choking) hand; the secondary hand is less dangerous until the first is set
!Grabbing the opponent's fingers — finger grabs are illegal in most competitions and unreliable; control the wrist
!Using one hand to fight a two-handed choke entry — you need both hands on defence when the choke is being set
!Letting go of the wrist to reposition — maintain constant contact; any gap allows the opponent to advance
!Fighting the hands without moving the hips — hand fighting buys time for hip escapes; use both simultaneously
!Pulling the opponent's hand straight away from the neck — peel toward the fingers (the weak direction of the grip)
!Over-gripping and tensing the arms — use precise, controlled grip strips rather than sustained squeezing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Danaher, 2012) [3] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)
2BookMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Danaher, 2012) [3] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)
5CitationMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
forearm conditioning, reaction speed, structural stability
Favours
dense bone structure, strong forearms
Key muscles
forearm flexors/extensors, deltoids, biceps, core (absorbing impact)
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I position my hands and elbows during hand fighting?
According to Stephen Whittier, keep your elbows connected to the front of your body in a relaxed posture rather than creating open spaces by reaching into the body. He describes this as maintaining a 'T-Rex' position to control the line of your head and hands.
Should I use a tight grip when hand fighting?
No—Stephen Whittier emphasizes that everything should be soft and relaxed; you're not trying to use a death grip to prevent your opponent from escaping the grip, since they will work against the thumb and peel away regardless.
What's the basic drill to improve hand fighting?
Stephen Whittier recommends practicing a 'strip game' where you stay in close range, grab your opponent's hands, and practice peeling them off by working against the thumb, repeating this cycle to develop the habit of close-range hand fighting.
How does the Hand Fighting Defence work?
The Hand Fighting Defence subfamily covers choke defensive techniques that focus on controlling the opponent's hands and grips to prevent them from securing the choking position. Hand fighting is the most active and proactive form of choke defence — rather than passively blocking access to the neck, the defender actively fights the opponent's hands to strip grips, prevent cross-collar entries, and block the arm from threading under the chin.
Where does the Hand Fighting Defence come from?
Hand fighting as choke defence has been central to grappling arts since the development of choking techniques. BJJ's competitive evolution elevated hand fighting to a sophisticated defensive skill, with specific hand fighting strategies developed for each choke type.
Is the Hand Fighting Defence legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal — defensive techniques are fundamental to grappling; IJF: legal — Legal defensive action; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal defensive technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Hand Fighting Defence?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — submission defence involves resisting joint locks/chokes; risk of injury if defence fails or is delayed
How do I set up the Hand Fighting Defence?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Hand Fighting Defence?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Hand Fighting Defence?
Common variants: High block (forearm raised above the head to protect against overhead…); Low block (forearm driven downward to deflect kicks or body strikes); Cross block (forearm crosses the body to protect the opposite side); Double forearm block (both forearms together for maximum coverage).
How effective is the Hand Fighting Defence in competition?
Essential in MMA back control defence.
What are common mistakes when doing the Hand Fighting Defence?
Top errors to watch for: Fighting both hands equally — prioritize the more advanced (choking) hand; the secondary hand is less dangerous until… / Grabbing the opponent's fingers — finger grabs are illegal in most competitions and unreliable; control the wrist / Using one hand to fight a two-handed choke entry — you need both hands on defence when the choke is being set / Letting go of the wrist to reposition — maintain constant contact; any gap allows the opponent to advance.
What are other names for the Hand Fighting Defence?
The Hand Fighting Defence is also known as Hando Faitingu Difensu, Grip Strip, Hand Fight, Collar Grip Defence.