Wrist Lock The World!!!
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Wrist Lock·CountFilms
Wrist Lock The World!!! William Tackett executes a perfectly timed wrist lock. William is featured rolling in this episo…
Wrist Lock
Family手首関節技(Tekubi Kansetsu-waza)
TraditionalTranslation: wrist lock
Overview
Wrist locks target the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints of the wrist, applying hyperflexion, hyperextension, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, or rotational (pronation/supination) force to submit the opponent. [1],[2] The wrist is relatively fragile compared to larger joints and has a small range of motion, making wrist locks effective but quick to cause injury. Common wrist lock categories include flexion locks (bending the wrist toward the forearm), extension locks (gooseneck, bending backward), figure-four wrist locks, and rotational (Z-lock, torsion) variations. [3],[4] Wrist locks are legal in IBJJF from blue belt and above, legal in ADCC and MMA, but prohibited in judo competition. In aikido (kote-gaeshi, nikkyo, sankyo), wrist locks are central techniques. [2],[5]
History & Origin
Wrist manipulation techniques are fundamental to multiple martial arts traditions. [1] In aikido, kote-gaeshi (wrist turn-out), nikkyo (wrist lock with inward pressure), and sankyo (rotational wrist lock) are core techniques developed from Daito-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu. [2] In Kodokan Judo, wrist locks are classified in the broader kansetsu-waza framework but excluded from competition rules due to injury risk. [3] In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrist locks were historically considered 'sneaky' or unsportsmanlike but have gained legitimacy as effective competition tools, particularly from guard positions and during grip fighting transitions. [4],[5]
Effectiveness
The wrist lock hyperextends or laterally deviates the wrist joint, which has very limited range of motion and is vulnerable to relatively small amounts of force. [1] While often overlooked as a primary attack, the wrist lock is valued as a surprise submission that can be applied from virtually any position where the attacker controls the opponent's hand. [1],[2]
Lineage
Competition Record
Wrist locks are legal at brown and black belt in IBJJF competition and fully legal in ADCC and MMA. They are increasingly popular as surprise submissions. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Forced flexion, extension, or rotation of the wrist beyond its normal range of motion
Joints Involved — Radiocarpal joint (wrist), intercarpal joints, distal radioulnar joint
Force Vector — Two-point control — one hand stabilises the forearm while the other drives the wrist into flexion, extension, or deviation
Vulnerability — Small joint with limited muscular protection makes it susceptible to sudden, low-force submissions
Position & Entry
From any grip exchange — During grip fighting, isolate the opponent's wrist with two-on-one control and apply sudden flexion or rotation
From guard (gi) — When opponent posts a hand on the mat or chest, trap the wrist and apply downward pressure for the wrist lock
From mount or side control — Opponent posts to escape, trap the wrist against the mat and apply the lock
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
5
High5/10
Wrist locks attack the small joints of the wrist; painful but lower structural risk than major joint locks
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— kansetsu-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFRestricted
— IBJJF — Brown and black belt only
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFLegal
— ADCC — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal submission technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Wrist locks attack the wrist joint through hyperflexion, hyperextension, or rotational deviation — forcing the small bones and ligaments of the wrist beyond their limits (Danaher, New Wave Jiu Jitsu, 2020)
✓The wrist is the most commonly overlooked joint in grappling submissions — yet wrist locks are available from virtually every position and grip exchange
✓Wrist locks work because the wrist joint is small and weak compared to the whole-body leverage the attacker applies — even moderate force creates submission
✓Four directions of attack: flexion (bending forward), extension (bending backward), radial deviation (bending toward the thumb), and ulnar deviation (bending toward the pinky)
✓Wrist locks are legal in IBJJF from blue belt, in ADCC at all levels, and in MMA — they are among the first advanced submissions available to competitors
✓The wrist lock's speed is its primary advantage: because it requires little setup and attacks a small joint, it can be applied before the opponent realises the threat
✓Japanese jujutsu developed the most comprehensive wrist lock systems: nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo, and kote-gaeshi attack the wrist from every possible angle
Common Mistakes
!Applying wrist locks explosively — the wrist breaks easily; always apply gradually in training
!Not training wrist lock awareness — many grapplers are caught by wrist locks because they never train to recognise them; include wrist lock defence in your training
!Using wrist locks only — they are supplementary submissions that complement your main game; don't build your entire system around wrist locks
!Attempting wrist locks against a fist — the wrist is strongest when the hand is fisted; open the hand or wait for a flat hand position
!Not controlling the forearm — the forearm must be stabilised; without it, the opponent simply moves the entire arm
!Applying with only the fingers — wrist locks require the attacker's entire hand and forearm; finger-only grips are weak and unreliable
!Ignoring the wrist lock threat from your training partners — many submissions in grappling incidentally expose the wrist; be aware of the danger
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Position — achieve the controlling position needed for this submission
2Create the Threat — begin the submission setup to force a defensive reaction
3Secure the Hold — lock the submission grip with proper body mechanics
4Finish — apply increasing pressure until the opponent taps or the joint/choke takes effect
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan New Japanese-English Dictionary of Judo; Aikido curriculum
1BookKodokan New Japanese-English Dictionary of Judo; Aikido curriculum
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan New Japanese-English Dictionary of Judo; Aikido curriculum
2SyllabusAikido Terminology
Aikido technique naming conventions
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationKodokan New Japanese-English Dictionary of Judo; Aikido curriculum
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan New Japanese-English Dictionary of Judo; Aikido curriculum
Community
Athletics
Requires
fine motor control, grip sensitivity, quick hand transitions
Favours
dexterous hands with strong fingers
Key muscles
forearm flexors and extensors, intrinsic hand muscles
Sub-techniques
Extension
SubFamilyWrist extension locks force the hand backward (dorsiflexion), hyperextending the wrist joint and stressing the palmar ligaments and flexor tendons. [1,2] The gooseneck is the classic wrist extension lock — the attacker bends the opponent's hand backward toward the forearm. Figure-four wrist extensions use a two-on-one grip for additional leverage. Kote-gaeshi in aikido is a throwing technique that uses wrist extension with rotation. [3,4]
2 genera·2 techniquesExplore
Flexion
SubFamilyWrist flexion locks force the hand forward (palmar flexion), compressing the wrist joint and stressing the dorsal ligaments and extensor tendons. [1,2] Nikkyo (二教, second teaching) in aikido is a classic wrist flexion lock that applies inward pressure on the wrist while controlling the elbow. Figure-four flexion locks, Z-locks, and two-on-one flexion grips are common BJJ variations. [3,4]
6 genera·27 techniquesExplore
Radial-Deviation
SubFamilyRadial deviation wrist locks bend the wrist laterally toward the thumb side (radial side), stressing the ulnar collateral ligament and the ulnar-side wrist structures. [1] These are less common than flexion or extension wrist locks but can be applied effectively from grip fighting situations and guard positions. [2,3]
2 genera·2 techniquesExplore
Supination-Pronation-Torsion
SubFamilySupination-pronation torsion locks twist the forearm along its longitudinal axis, rotating the radius around the ulna and stressing the radioulnar joints and associated ligaments. [1,2] Sankyo (三教, third teaching) in aikido is the classic rotational wrist lock that combines pronation with downward pressure. [3,4,5]
Explore
Ulnar
SubFamilyUlnar deviation wrist locks bend the wrist laterally toward the pinky side (ulnar side), stressing the radial collateral ligament. [1] Like radial deviation locks, these are relatively uncommon as standalone submissions but can be encountered during grip fighting and transitional moments. [2,3]
Explore
Notes
Wrist locks are legal in IBJJF from brown belt and above (gi) and at all levels in ADCC. Often applied opportunistically when an opponent grips too rigidly during other exchanges. (IBJJF Rules v6.0; ADCC Rules)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Wrist Lock work?
Wrist locks target the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints of the wrist, applying hyperflexion, hyperextension, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, or rotational (pronation/supination) force to submit the opponent. The wrist is relatively fragile compared to larger joints and has a small range of motion, making wrist locks effective but quick to cause injury.
Where does the Wrist Lock come from?
Wrist manipulation techniques are fundamental to multiple martial arts traditions. In aikido, kote-gaeshi (wrist turn-out), nikkyo (wrist lock with inward pressure), and sankyo (rotational wrist lock) are core techniques developed from Daito-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu.
Is the Wrist Lock legal in competition?
IBJJF: restricted — Brown and black belt only; IJF: banned — Only elbow joint locks (kansetsu-waza) permitted in judo — all other joint lo…; ADCC: legal — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC; Unified MMA: legal — Legal submission technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Wrist Lock?
Danger rating 5/10. Wrist locks attack the small joints of the wrist; painful but lower structural risk than major joint locks
How do I set up the Wrist Lock?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.
How do I defend against the Wrist Lock?
Standard counters include: Early Recognition — identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base — maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight — deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.
What are the variants of the Wrist Lock?
Common variants: Standard wrist lock (kote gaeshi) (two-handed rotational lock on the wrist); Gooseneck wrist lock (flexion lock bending the wrist down toward the forearm); Standing wrist lock (applied during grip fighting or a standing exchange); Ground wrist lock (catching the opponent's posted hand from mount, side cont…).
How effective is the Wrist Lock in competition?
Wrist locks are legal at brown and black belt in IBJJF competition and fully legal in ADCC and MMA. They are increasingly popular as surprise submissions.
What are common mistakes when doing the Wrist Lock?
Top errors to watch for: Applying wrist locks explosively — the wrist breaks easily; always apply gradually in training / Not training wrist lock awareness — many grapplers are caught by wrist locks because they never train to recognise th… / Using wrist locks only — they are supplementary submissions that complement your main game; don't build your entire s… / Attempting wrist locks against a fist — the wrist is strongest when the hand is fisted; open the hand or wait for a f….
What are other names for the Wrist Lock?
The Wrist Lock is also known as Tekubi Kansetsu-waza, Tekubi-kansetsu, Kote-gaeshi, Wrist Joint Lock.