From Standing

Species

立ち技から(Tachi-waza kara)

Traditional

Translation: from standing

Overview

The figure-four wrist lock from standing applies a figure-four grip configuration to the opponent's wrist while both fighters are on their feet, using the doubled leverage of the interlocked hands to bend the wrist into flexion. ^[1],[2] The standing position allows the attacker to use stance changes and rotational force to amplify the wrist bend. ^[1] The technique is commonly entered from a handshake trap, wrist grab, or arm control position where the attacker can quickly secure the figure-four before the opponent retracts. ^[1],[2]

Also known as

Standing Figure-Four Wrist Lock^[1]Tachi Figure-4 LockJP^[2]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

Standing figure-four wrist locks are core techniques in aikido, hapkido, and traditional jujutsu, where they form part of the curriculum for controlling standing attackers. ^[1],[2] The figure-four configuration is also used in wrestling for controlling the arm, though wrestling applications focus on positional control rather than joint submission. ^[1] The standing application for submission purposes represents the traditional martial arts approach to standing self-defense scenarios. ^[1],[2]

Effectiveness

Standing submissions (guillotines, standing kimuras, standing arm triangles) are applied from the feet and are high-percentage in MMA where the opponent's guard pull attempt exposes them. ^[1]

Lineage

Standing submissions come from judo (tachi-waza ne-waza transitions) and catch wrestling. ^[1]

Competition Record

Standing submissions, particularly guillotine chokes, are among the most common finishes in UFC competition. ^[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

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

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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

✓Standing wrist locks attack the opponent's wrist during grip fighting, clinch work, and standing transitions — they exploit the momentary hand positions that occur during standing grappling (Danaher, New Wave Jiu Jitsu, 2020)

✓Standing wrist locks are among the fastest submissions in grappling: the transition from grip break to wrist lock can occur in under a second

✓The most common standing wrist lock: during grip fighting, peel the opponent's hand off your lapel and immediately apply an extension lock — the grip break becomes the submission

✓Standing wrist locks work best against stiff-armed opponents: those who push or post with locked-out arms expose their wrists to attack

✓Aikido and jujutsu developed the most sophisticated standing wrist lock systems: nikkyo, sankyo, kote-gaeshi, and gooseneck all applied from standing

✓Standing wrist locks can create takedowns: the wrist pain and structural compromise off-balance the opponent — the wrist lock drives them to the ground

✓Standing wrist locks in judo: during grip fighting for dominant kumi-kata, the hand exchange creates brief moments where the wrist is vulnerable

Common Mistakes

!Attempting standing wrist locks against a mobile opponent — the opponent must be momentarily committed (gripping, pushing, reaching) for the wrist to be catchable

!Not controlling the elbow — a free elbow allows the opponent to retract the arm; control the forearm and elbow while attacking the wrist

!Using standing wrist locks as primary attacks — they work best as opportunistic attacks during grip fighting transitions

!Holding the wrist lock standing when it isn't finishing — if the standing lock doesn't tap, transition to a takedown or ground follow-up

!Not disguising the attack — standing wrist locks work through surprise; obvious setups are easily defeated

!Applying against a fisted hand — wait for the grip or open hand; a fist resists wrist locks

!Not following through to the ground — standing wrist locks that partially work can become ground submissions; don't let go during the transition

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

How does the From Standing work?

Where does the From Standing come from?

Standing figure-four wrist locks are core techniques in aikido, hapkido, and traditional jujutsu, where they form part of the curriculum for controlling standing attackers. The figure-four configuration is also used in wrestling for controlling the arm, though wrestling applications focus on positional control rather than joint submission.

Is the From Standing 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 Standing?

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

How do I set up the From Standing?

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

How do I defend against the From Standing?

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 Standing?

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 Standing in competition?

Standing submissions, particularly guillotine chokes, are among the most common finishes in UFC competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the From Standing?

Top errors to watch for: Attempting standing wrist locks against a mobile opponent — the opponent must be momentarily committed (gripping, pus… / Not controlling the elbow — a free elbow allows the opponent to retract the arm; control the forearm and elbow while … / Using standing wrist locks as primary attacks — they work best as opportunistic attacks during grip fighting transitions / Holding the wrist lock standing when it isn't finishing — if the standing lock doesn't tap, transition to a takedown ….

What are other names for the From Standing?

The From Standing is also known as Tachi-waza kara, Standing Figure-Four Wrist Lock, Tachi Figure-4 Lock.

from standing tachi waza kara submission joint lock wrist lock flexion figure four standing figure four wrist lock tachi figure 4 lock