Ear Pull

SubFamily

耳引き(Mimi-biki)

Traditional

Translation: ear pull

Overview

Ear pulls use gripping or pulling force on the opponent's ear to generate sharp pain and force positional changes. ^[1],[2] While not a structural submission (no joint or vascular compromise), ear pulls can force an opponent to turn their head, abandon a defensive posture, or create an opening for a choke or armlock. Ear manipulation techniques are legal in most competition formats but rarely decisive. ^[3],[4]

Also known as

Ear Grab^[1]Mimi-tori^[2]Ear Pressure^[3]

Used in

MMA BJJ Wrestling Judo

History & Origin

Ear manipulation techniques appear in classical jujutsu schools including Takenouchi-ryū and Sekiguchi-ryū, where kyusho (vital point) techniques targeted the ears as part of comprehensive combat systems. ^[1],[2] In modern grappling, ear pulls are considered unsportsmanlike by some but remain technically legal. ^[3],[4]

Effectiveness

Ear pulling creates intense pain by gripping and pulling the ear cartilage, used as a pain compliance technique. ^[1]

Lineage

Ear manipulation appears in self-defence systems and traditional jūjutsu. ^[1]

Competition Record

Ear pulling is banned in virtually all competitive formats (IBJJF, MMA, wrestling). ^[1]

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries — restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds

Joints Involved — Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region

Force Vector — Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously

Choking Mechanism — Vascular strangle — occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes

Position & Entry

From dominant position — Isolate the target limb, secure the controlling grip, and apply force beyond the joint's range of motion

From guard (bottom) — Control the limb from guard position, configure the submission grip, and apply the lock

From transition — During a scramble or positional change, catch the exposed limb and lock the submission

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Low2/10

Ear pull is a pain compliance technique with minimal structural injury risk

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Beginner

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal

— IJF — Not a recognized submission category in judo

IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF

Restricted

— IBJJF — Varies — pressure-based controls may be legal but...

IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF

— FIAS Sport Sambo — Varies by application

FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF

Legal

— ADCC — Legal

ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF

— Unified MMA — Legal

Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF

— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal

FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓The ear pull (ear grab, ear rip) uses grip on the opponent's ear to create pain and manipulate head position — a pain compliance technique used in self-defence and some traditional grappling systems (Paulson, Enter the Snake Pit, 2018)

✓The ear is extremely sensitive: pulling, twisting, or cupping the ear creates immediate intense pain and a reflexive head-turning response

✓In grappling context, the ear pull is used to turn the opponent's head — opening the neck for chokes or creating angles for transitions

✓The ear pull is illegal in virtually all competitive grappling and MMA — it falls under the 'small joint manipulation' and 'unsportsmanlike conduct' rules

✓In catch wrestling, ear manipulation was a legitimate tool: old-time catch wrestlers used ear pulls to set up headlocks and neck cranks

✓The ear pull creates an immediate pain response: the opponent reflexively moves in the direction of the pull to relieve pressure — this creates predictable movement

✓In self-defence, the ear pull is a practical tool: it requires no training to apply, works against larger opponents, and creates immediate compliance

Common Mistakes

!Using ear pulls in competition — this technique is illegal in virtually all competitive formats; know the rules

!Pulling with the fingers only — use the whole hand to cup and control the ear; finger-only grips slip off

!Expecting the ear pull to be a finishing technique — it is a compliance tool for creating movement and transitions, not a submission

!Applying without head control — the ear pull works best when combined with other head control (collar tie, cross-face)

!Pulling in a direction that doesn't create tactical advantage — pull the ear to turn the head in the direction that opens a submission or improves your position

!Using excessive force — the ear is sensitive; moderate pressure creates compliance; excessive force tears the ear

!Training ear pulls on unwilling partners — this technique should only be trained cooperatively with clear communication

Related Techniques

Escape — defensive technique to relieve choking pressure and recover position Tap (Submission Signal) — the safety mechanism indicating the technique is effective

Counter Techniques

Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking Two-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks Turn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure Posture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle

Setup Chain

1Achieve Controlling Position — secure the position from which the choke is applied

2Isolate the Neck — clear defending hands and establish access to the throat

3Set the Grip — lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)

4Apply Pressure — squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish

Sources & References

Primary Source

Koryu Jujutsu — Takenouchi-ryu, Sekiguchi-ryu kyusho techniques

1BookKoryu Jujutsu — Takenouchi-ryu, Sekiguchi-ryu kyusho techniques

Japanese terminology sourced from Koryu Jujutsu — Takenouchi-ryu, Sekiguchi-ryu kyusho techniques

2Oral TraditionKoryu Jujutsu (Classical Japanese Jujutsu)

Classical schools: Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu, Takenouchi-ryu, etc.

3SyllabusKodokan Judo Institute — Official Waza Names

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)

5CitationKoryu Jujutsu — Takenouchi-ryu, Sekiguchi-ryu kyusho techniques

Japanese terminology sourced from Koryu Jujutsu — Takenouchi-ryu, Sekiguchi-ryu kyusho techniques

Community

Athletics

Requires

grip strength, joint isolation ability, positional control

Favours

strong forearms and stable base

Key muscles

forearm flexors, core stabilisers, hip muscles for base

Sub-techniques

From Clinch

Genus

The ear pull from the clinch is a pain compliance technique where the attacker grips the opponent's ear and pulls or twists it while maintaining a standing clinch position. [1,2] The intense pain from the ear cartilage being stretched or twisted can force positional compliance — the opponent moves their head in the direction the ear is pulled to relieve the pain. [1] From the clinch, the ear pull can be used to off-balance the opponent, create openings for takedowns, or force a release of their grips. [1] While not a joint lock, the pain can force a verbal or physical submission. [1,2]

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From Guard

Genus

The ear pull from guard is a pain compliance technique where the attacker, while playing guard, grips the opponent's ear and pulls or twists to create pain and disrupt posture. [1,2] From closed or open guard, the attacker reaches for the opponent's ear during close-range engagement and uses the pulling force to break the opponent's posture downward, creating openings for chokes, sweeps, or transitions. [1] The ear pull is primarily a disruptive technique rather than a finish — it forces the opponent to address the pain, momentarily stopping their passing attempts. [1,2]

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Standing

Genus

The standing ear pull is a pain compliance technique applied during upright confrontations by gripping and pulling or twisting the opponent's ear to control their head position and movement. [1,2] The pain from ear cartilage manipulation forces the opponent to follow the direction of the pull, allowing the attacker to steer them, off-balance them, or set up takedowns. [1,3] In self-defense contexts, the standing ear pull can serve as a quick compliance tool to control an aggressor without striking. [1] It is considered a 'dirty' technique in sport but practical in self-defense and law enforcement. [1,2]

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Ear Pull work?

Ear pulls use gripping or pulling force on the opponent's ear to generate sharp pain and force positional changes. While not a structural submission (no joint or vascular compromise), ear pulls can force an opponent to turn their head, abandon a defensive posture, or create an opening for a choke or armlock.

Where does the Ear Pull come from?

Ear manipulation techniques appear in classical jujutsu schools including Takenouchi-ryū and Sekiguchi-ryū, where kyusho (vital point) techniques targeted the ears as part of comprehensive combat systems. In modern grappling, ear pulls are considered unsportsmanlike by some but remain technically legal.

Is the Ear Pull legal in competition?

IBJJF: restricted — Varies — pressure-based controls may be legal but direct pain holds without s…; IJF: banned — Not a recognized submission category in judo; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: restricted — Varies by application; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal

How dangerous is the Ear Pull?

Danger rating 2/10. Ear pull is a pain compliance technique with minimal structural injury risk

How do I set up the Ear Pull?

The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.

How do I defend against the Ear Pull?

Standard counters include: Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.

What are the variants of the Ear Pull?

Common variants: Standard variation (primary grip configuration and finishing angle); Gi variation (using the gi material for grip assistance and control); No-gi variation (adapted grips for submission grappling without the gi); Transition variation (applied during a positional change or scramble).

How effective is the Ear Pull in competition?

Ear pulling is banned in virtually all competitive formats (IBJJF, MMA, wrestling).

What are common mistakes when doing the Ear Pull?

Top errors to watch for: Using ear pulls in competition — this technique is illegal in virtually all competitive formats; know the rules / Pulling with the fingers only — use the whole hand to cup and control the ear; finger-only grips slip off / Expecting the ear pull to be a finishing technique — it is a compliance tool for creating movement and transitions, n… / Applying without head control — the ear pull works best when combined with other head control (collar tie, cross-face).

What are other names for the Ear Pull?

The Ear Pull is also known as Mimi-biki, Ear Grab, Mimi-tori, Ear Pressure.

ear pull mimi biki submission pain compliance hold lock pressure techniques ear grab mimi tori ear pressure