Saturday 19 July 2014

Locks and controls

We've all used the classic arm up the back technique to subdue a sibling or friend when we were younger.  Most of the time this control relied on force to manoeuvre the limb into a position of discomfort.  It's a classic with the police, where you see them have to really wrestle to get that on tight and there usually requires more than one officer to do this.  The ideal way to learn locks or restraints is via a lock flow.  The lock flow is MEANT to be a logical way to learn and practice a series of locks in an intelligent way.  As the person tries to get free from one lock you simply flow into another.  In the real world nobody is going to offer these locks on a plate so you really need to mix them in with your striking curriculum.  If you strike and gain an attachment then you have a greater chance of applying a successful lock.  If the opponent then gets free, move into the next lock or strike and try and regain control. Like most things in a fight it's just going to happen.  You will find a lock if the time is right. Don't go searching for one as you won't get it.  It's the same as a takedown, just let your training take over, and if it's meant to be, the body will find a lock or takedown amongst the strikes.  For most of us we don't need to lock or control we can simply strike and exit. However, if you are in a security role then you may have to subdue, and striking may not always be an option.  In these cases it's even more important for you to work on locks.  I remember Eyal Yanilov (head of KMG) showing me a lock flow.  I asked why he didn't teach it as part of Krav Maga, and I think he was dismissive of it, as he explained it would take time and in Krav Maga you often only have people for a short time and controls may not be time best spent for them.  If you do have time, and it's part of your job, then make the effort and educate yourself.  

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