From Prone Control

Species

Translation: from prone control

Range & classification

Overview

The figure-four wrist lock from prone control is applied by trapping the face-down opponent's wrist and locking a figure-four grip configuration to apply concentrated flexion force. ^[1],[2] The prone position prevents the opponent from rotating to relieve pressure, and the figure-four grip provides enough leverage to bend the wrist against muscular resistance. ^[1] The technique is commonly applied when the opponent extends an arm to post or attempt a turnover, exposing the wrist to the figure-four trap. ^[1],[2]

Also known as

Ground Figure-Four Wrist Lock^[1]Prone Figure-4 Lock^[2]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA

History & Origin

Figure-four wrist locks from prone control positions are widely used in law enforcement and military restraint training, where the face-down handcuffing position naturally exposes the wrist to manipulation. ^[1],[2] In sport grappling, the technique developed as top players found the figure-four provided enough mechanical advantage to finish wrist locks through the resistance of prone opponents. ^[1] The method bridges tactical restraint and sport submission. ^[1],[2]

Country of origin· shown in random order

BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
Japan伏せ制御から(Fuse Seigyo kara)BJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
USASubmission Grappling, MMA
RussiaSambo
ChinaChin Na

Effectiveness

Prone control submissions attack a face-down opponent with chokes, cranks, and arm locks, exploiting a position where the bottom player has limited defensive options. ^[1]

Lineage

Prone control attacks were developed in catch wrestling (the 'chain wrestling' system) and adopted into modern BJJ. ^[1]

Competition Record

Prone position chokes and cranks are used in both MMA (ground-and-pound to submission sequences) and advanced BJJ competition. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

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

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 control, or guard

Videos

SpartanCops

Overview

Figure Four Throw

From Prone Control·SpartanCops·Added by Admin

1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

High5/10

Wrist lock variant targeting carpal and radioulnar joints through forced deviation or torsion

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal

— kansetsu-waza

IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF

Legal

— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels

IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF

— 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 RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓Submissions from prone control attack the opponent when they are face-down — a vulnerable position that exposes the neck, arms, and legs to locks and chokes (Danaher, New Wave Jiu Jitsu, 2020)

✓The prone position limits the opponent's defensive options: they cannot see the attacker, cannot use their arms effectively, and cannot hip escape

✓Common attacks from prone control: rear-naked choke (after rolling to back control), arm locks on the exposed posted arm, wrist locks, and ankle locks

✓The transition from prone to submission is a key skill: catch wrestlers and folkstyle wrestlers specialise in attacking from the top position against a face-down opponent

✓The wrist lock from prone control attacks the hand that the opponent plants on the mat to push up — the posted hand is hyperextended using body weight

✓Prone control rides (chest-to-back, side ride, cross-body ride) maintain the position while setting up submissions

✓The prone opponent's instinct is to push up to hands and knees — this pushing action exposes the arms and wrists for immediate locks

Common Mistakes

!Not maintaining control while attacking — the prone opponent will scramble to escape; maintain chest-to-back contact throughout

!Attempting submissions before establishing control — secure the riding position first, then identify which limbs are vulnerable

!Not using body weight — from prone control, body weight is your primary tool; lifting off to apply a technique allows the opponent to move

!Ignoring the back-take — from prone control, the back take is often the highest-percentage option; don't skip it for lower-percentage locks

!Not training the prone position — many grapplers neglect top-turtle and prone attacks; this leaves significant opportunities untrained

!Applying locks without knowing which arm is posted — read the opponent's body position before committing to an attack

!Staying in prone control too long without progressing — use the position to attack or transition; stalling from prone control wastes the opportunity

Related Techniques

Tap (Submission Signal) — the safety mechanism indicating the technique is effective

Counter Techniques

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

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

Japanese pro wrestling/judo standard terminology; widely used in Japanese grappling

1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology

Japanese pro wrestling/judo standard terminology; widely used in Japanese grappling

2SyllabusKodokan Judo Institute — Official Waza Names

Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)

3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)

Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)

4CitationJapanese pro wrestling/judo standard terminology; widely used in Japanese grappling

Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese pro wrestling/judo standard terminology; widely used in Japanese grappling

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best angle to enter from when controlling someone prone?

Avoid coming in at a 90-degree angle from the side, as the opponent's shoulder will block your knee from penetrating deep. Instead, come from a different angle so you can rest the point of your knee on top of their head for better control (SpartanCops).

How do I make my arm control tight and prevent escape?

Go shallow with your arm entry, positioning your hand just past the opponent's forearm where your thumb starts to curve their arm, then roll it in tightly to take away space (SpartanCops).

How do I neutralize the opponent's strength from prone position?

Use your forearm as a lever against their shoulder to push it forward while moving their hand behind their shoulder—this removes their position of strength (SpartanCops).

How does the From Prone Control work?

Where does the From Prone Control come from?

Figure-four wrist locks from prone control positions are widely used in law enforcement and military restraint training, where the face-down handcuffing position naturally exposes the wrist to manipulation. In sport grappling, the technique developed as top players found the figure-four provided enough mechanical advantage to finish wrist locks through the resistance of prone opponents.

Is the From Prone Control legal in competition?

IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; 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 From Prone Control?

Danger rating 5/10. Wrist lock variant targeting carpal and radioulnar joints through forced deviation or torsion

How do I set up the From Prone Control?

The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.

How do I defend against the From Prone Control?

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 From Prone Control?

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 From Prone Control in competition?

Prone position chokes and cranks are used in both MMA (ground-and-pound to submission sequences) and advanced BJJ competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the From Prone Control?

Top errors to watch for: Not maintaining control while attacking — the prone opponent will scramble to escape; maintain chest-to-back contact … / Attempting submissions before establishing control — secure the riding position first, then identify which limbs are … / Not using body weight — from prone control, body weight is your primary tool; lifting off to apply a technique allows… / Ignoring the back-take — from prone control, the back take is often the highest-percentage option; don't skip it for ….

What are other names for the From Prone Control?

The From Prone Control is also known as Fuse Seigyo kara, Ground Figure-Four Wrist Lock, Prone Figure-4 Lock.

from prone control fuse seigyo kara submission joint lock wrist lock flexion figure four ground figure four wrist lock prone figure 4 lock