Jiu jitsu, both the traditional Japanese and modern Brazilian variations, is a grappling art. That means practitioners use a series of grabs, locks, sweeps and throws to control an opponent -- as opposed to the strikes and kicks common to martial arts like karate. Grabbing your opponent is a common opening move in jiu jitsu, establishing the initial control and contact you will then use to execute a potentially devastating follow-up move.
Step 1
Move with your opponent for several moments. Use this time to gauge his position, timing, balance and rhythm. You will have your best results when you initiate a grab as he's caught off-balance or temporarily immobile. This first step is, ironically, the most difficult to master and requires hours of practice.
Step 2
Advance on your opponent explosively by stepping directly into his space. As you get better at the basics, you can practice doing this while faking with a feint towards a body area you don't intend to grab. For example, you can reach with your off hand towards his left arm while initiating a grab towards his right collar.
Step 3
Plant your open hand solidly on the area you want to grab. Push with your flat palm, almost as if you are executing a palm strike to that area. Good targets for a jiu jitsu grab include the collar, elbow and wrist.
Step 4
Wrap your fingers in the cloth of your opponent's uniform at the instant your push moves him slightly back. Grab as much of the cloth as you can, leaving the minimum amount of loose cloth you can manage.
Step 5
Rotate your arm at your shoulder and elbow, taking up any slack available at the point where you've grabbed. Simultaneously pull your elbow towards the hip on the same side of your body.
Tips and Warnings
- These instructions are for a gi or clothing grab, the most common grabs in jiu jitsu training. Grabbing the limbs or body, usually called a lock, is a different skill. For best results in either kind of grab, you should seek live training from a qualified jiu jitsu instructor.
- All martial arts, including jiu jitsu, carry with them the risk of injury. When grabbing the clothing or gi of an opponent, you run the risk of catching your fingers in his clothing and injuring them if he moves suddenly. To best avoid these risks, train only while supervised by a qualified teacher.
References
- "USJA Basic JuJutsu Manual"; Phillip Porter; 1996
- Jason Brick; USJA Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, 3rd Degree; Hillsboro, Oregon
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