Grasping block
Tsukamu uke, the grasping block, is Goshin-Jutsu’s preferred method of grabbing the opponent’s wrist. While wrist grabs are not the useful by themselves, they are a necessary step to pull opponents off-balance, or to setup joint manipulations and takedowns.
Grasping blocks usually immediately follow shutō blocks. Turn your blocking hand's palm towards the opponent’s arm. Slide your hand down the opponent’s arm until your middle finger and thumb touch, creating an Unbreakable Circle surrounding the opponent’s wrist. The flanged base of your opponent’s hand will stop you from sliding off the opponent’s arm.
[photo of grasping block from the front and side.]
From here, the reciprocal action of your counterattack will pull the opponent off-balance, or this connection can setup joint manipulations. Please note that grasping block does not offer the deep, full-connection which optimized aikijutsu techniques require. Grasping block only creates a bare-minimum connection, which offers its own advantages:
- Grasping blocks require less grip strength than regular grabs, and the lack of tension and fatigue allows grasping blocks to be maintained indefinitely without slowing down counterattacks.
- Grabbing an opponent’s wrist immobilizes your hand as well; when you grab someone, they effectively grab you too. A skilled or clever opponent can exploit deep, full connections to setup reversal techniques. Providing a minimum connection offers the opponent less to work with.
[video of grasping block, fast, slow, and from the side.]
