Wristlock
Kote-gaeshi (literally: “wrist-return”) is the basic wristlock. While most marital arts have some version of kote-gaeshi, it is generally considered to be an aikidō technique. The basic premise is to grab the opponent’s wrist and rotate it to the outside. When the wrist reaches its range of motion, any further rotation will lock the opponent's elbow and shoulder. Since kote-gaeshi is a rotational lock, the opponent relieve the pressure by straightening or bending their arm. Resisting this technique can cause the opponent to break their wrist, damage their elbow ligaments, and/or dislocate their shoulder. Yielding to the technique is the only way to alleviate the pressure, by spiraling around their own wrist to “unwind” it -- and throwing themselves in the process. The opponent should land in a side breakfall, which is an ideal setup for a shovel pin or stomp kick.
Beware that this takedown might not work on an opponent with a freakishly strong grip, like a plumbers or a guitarist -- and there is no way to tell if you’ve encountered such a person until this technique fails. Fortunately, a failed wristlock attempt can still disrupt your opponent’s balance, setting up opportunities to incapacitate your opponent with a series of kicks.
Like all takedowns, kote-gaeshi is a three-step process.
- Kuzushi (destroying the balance): Kote-gaeshi is a “towards throw;” it works best when the opponent’s energy is moving towards you. As such, wristlocks are appropriate when the opponent is charging at you, pushing you, or is stunned and doubled-over following a strike to the abdomen or groin.
Grab the opponent’s same-side hand, so that your thumb is on the back of their hand, co-linear with the opponent’s middle finger. You fingers wrap around the base of your opponent’s thumb. (If you accidentally grab with your opposite-side hand, perform nikkyō instead.)
[Photo of setup.]
Grabbing a moving hand is difficult. Instead, slide your hand down the opponents forearm to their wrist. The flanged shape of the himan hand will automatically stop you once you’ve entered the correct position. The opposite side hand can offer additional support, wrapping its fingers around your opponent’s shutō, with your thumb co-linear with the opponent’s middle finger. (Thus forming a “hand-sandwich.”) - Tsukuri (Positioning): Pull the opponent’s hand to your center. Imagine the back of their hand is glued or welded to the knot of your belt, which makes you and your opponent into one continuous piece. By aligning their wrist along your centerline, and to your axis or rotation, you can impart additional torque to the opponent’s wrist with maximum efficiency. If their wrist is above your navel, or not aligned to your centerline, then a clever opponent can counter with a kote-gaeshi of their own.
Press against the opponent’s fingers with you opposite-side hand, and make the opponent point at themselves. This makes them lurch forward, compromising their balance. - Nage (Throwing): Step your opposite-side foot towards the opponent, and pivot around it for tenkan. Simultaneously use your opposite-side hand to push the opponent’s fingers towards a point directly behind the opponent and between their legs, “where their tail is not”.
[Video of Kote-gaeshi, fast and slow, from several angles.]
