Arm Grab Releases (Yellow Belt)

Single Hand Grab Arm Releases

Double Hand Grab Releases

Double Arm Grab Release

Arm Grab Releases (Yellow Belt)

To release from an assailant grabbing your arm(s), use immediate combatives or try to de-escalate the situation by using an arm release.

• For all arm (and choke) releases, look for the opening.
• Recognize where the assailant’s thumb and forefinger meet.
• Work your entire body weight to release the hold to distance yourself.
• Each release uses angles to break the hold and remove you from

With enough practice, you will begin to recognize where an opening is, that is, the spot on your attacker’s grip that you can best place your hands or use your technique to break a hold. Note, that the same principle applies to breaking arm grabs and chokeholds. You’ll work against the thumb’s weakest spot, pry the fingers apart, and break your attacker’s grip.  Different grab positions and their respective defenses.

The assailant grabs your left arm with his right.

• Grab your left hand with your right hand and, with your hands clasp together, pull your hands and arms toward the opening, where your partner’s thumb meets his fingers.

The assailant grabs your right arm with his right.

• Rotate your body away from your attacker (and toward the opening).
• You can also pluck the attacker’s arm from underneath as you execute a release towards the opening.

The assailant uses two arms to grab one of your wrists or forearms. 

• Reach over the top of the grab and pull your hand towards your near ear, taking care not to hit yourself.
• You can also pluck the attacker’s hand and execute the same technique as you did in situation #1 by angling your arm movement toward you, working against the weakest part of your opponent’s grip: his thumb and pointer.

The assailant uses two hands to grab one of your hands above your head. 

• Reach underneath the grip and pull down on your arm that is being grabbed.
• Your partner grabs both of your arms at the wrists or forearms with both of his arms.
• Cross your arms and pull them toward you (toward the opening) as you kick and knee him until he lets go.
• Alternatively, you may rotate your forearms arms up, following a semi-circular path to release.