[NeverMan]

It seems that Yawara (the board) is from a lot of "handshakes" and "wrist grabs". I understand that Yawara are the fundamentals (or part of them) and that this is needed to fully understand, appreciate and apply finer points of Jujitsu, however, can anyone think of a time when you might have actually used any of these techniques in a fight/comp/tourney and from what position did you actually begin to apply it?

I guess my question is this: None of my fights have ever started from a handshake or wrist grab. I also understand the tradition of stopping an opponent from drawing a weapon with a wrist grab in feudal japan, but that doesn't happen too much today.

[bamboo]

I was under the impression that yawara was a stick and not part of any basics at all. In fact, I believe the fundmentals are usually refered to as kihon waza or basic techniques.

I have found the wristgrab techniques to be ones of opportunity. I use them when they present hemself and strangly it happens a few times every evening of grappling I do.

Handshake techniques, well in my opinion they are just silly. Fodder to fill up the curriculum and pass the time. I have a buddy thats doing a style of jiujitsu that focuses the first 3/4 of ranks on this stuff and only looks at practical stuff around brown belt level. Just sad really.

-bamboo

[NeverMan]

I guess I'm not overly sure about other styles but Danzan has Yawara as the first "list" (or "board"):

http://www.danzan.com/HTML/BOARDS/yawara.html

Good point about the wrist grab, I can see they might be useful when wrestling with an opponent, either stand or ground. If the opponent was trying to keep your hands off of him by trying to control your wrists.

[bamboo]

I guess you mean more as in "soft techniques" for yawara.

I'm guessing stuff like :

Katate Hazushi Ichi - Escape from outside wrist grab
Katate Hazushi Ni - Escape from inside wrist grab
Ryote Hazushi - Escape from double wrist grab
Morote Hazushi - Escape from two hands on one wrist
Yubi Tori Hazushi - Escape from all finger grab
Momiji Hazushi - Escape from a front choke
Ryo Eri Hazushi - Escape from double lapel grab
Yubi Tori - Single finger hold
Moro Yubi Tori - All finger hold

-bamboo

[bamboo]

LOL, I just read your post before mine....

[Sensei S. Hilaire]

Yawara is just another pronunciation for the characters for Jujitsu. And you are correct - those techniques often start from wrist grabs or double wrist, etc. because they were from techniques meant to teach you how to counter someone who had grabbed your wrist as you tried to stab them on the medieval battlefields of Japan. There is some practicality to the techniques today, if taught correctly - but they are really old jujitsu techniques.

[HereticAsian]

The idea behind yawara isn't necessary the technique itself. No one grabs your wrist now a days.Yawara is introducing the concept of Ju. When someone grabs your wrist, don't pull back because that is using force against force. Instead, look at the weakness of the hold and attack it with leverage, don't use muscle or speed that is Ju that is what Yawara is teaching. The concept of Jujitsu the GENTLE art.

[NeverMan]

What I am finding, and I could be seriously mistaken, is that the practicality of the wrist locks don't come from the static kata, but when you are in randori I find it interesting to try a wrist lock from there. Also, the "wrist grab" escapes are very good for showing leverage to beginners (for instance, Katate Hazushi). These are also practical in randori.

Does anyone disagree with that? If so, I am interested to know why. I would love to see/hear another viewpoint.

Also, to all of the BJJ or sport Sub. Wrestlers: Do you feel that smaller locks are overlooked due to comp. rules? Do you consider smaller locks (wrist, ankle, finger) a waste of time? When I say "lock", I mean lock as leading into break.

[bamboo]

Wristlocks are to me techniques of circumstance. I know them and will use them if the opportunity presents itself but they more often then not lead into another technique at least in my experience.

-bamboo

Oh- and i find that someoen will grab my wrist in randori on a weekly basis.

[samurai6string]

I am in agreement with NeverMan and Heretic Asian. The point doesn't end at the actual technique, it's in how the principle and flow of the technique translate to manipulation of larger joints and in the concept of "lock flow," as well as ju, explained by Heretic. I agree with what you are saying NeverMan, because the wrist lock/counters is honestly the best way to introduce a begining level student to the concepts of leverage and the actual amount of force that is involved.

On a practical side, I hate to give in to stereotype here, but these techniques can be of use to women or children who are actually more likely to find an assailant grabbing them, leading them, etc.