Last month, I shared a trick for escaping a wrist grab. In this previous post, I used the example of an attacker grabbing your wrist with one hand.
But what do you do when they grab your wrist with both hands?
Not to worry! There’s a trick for that, too. In fact, there are two. You can choose which option feels best for you.
Option 1: Use your opposite hand to grab your trapped fist and pull your hand away from your attacker to break free. Here’s what it would look like:
Option 2: Use your free hand to pull away one of your attacker’s hands. (It’s best to do this explosively!) Then, rotate your trapped wrist so the outside of your thumb aligns with the weak point in your attacker’s grip where their thumb and fingers meet. Then, pull your arm through that weak point to break free. Here’s what that would look like:
As with everything in self-defense, there’s no right or wrong way to escape. It’s whatever feels best in your body and gets you home safely. Find a friend and give these options a try. What feels best in your body? Is it a different technique entirely?
The first time I practiced these wrist releases was in a Krav Maga class at a fighters’ gym in Pittsburgh. My practice partner was a big dude — about a foot taller and at least 75 pounds heavier than me. His hand could have covered my entire face.
As I practiced these techniques with him, I marveled at my ability to break free. These wrist-release techniques didn’t require height, weight, or upper body strength.
They used the path of least resistance.
Throughout life, I’ve often chosen the opposite: path of maximum resistance — training to be a professional ballerina throughout my childhood, choosing what some called a “masochistic” applied mathematics degree at Northwestern University, working up to 80 hours a week in management consulting, pursuing not one but two graduate degrees at Harvard.
I chose these paths of maximum resistance because I believed they’d make me stronger and smarter — they’d push me to grow into the best version of myself.
In many cases, they also lead me to exhaustion, burnout, and feeling like a hallow, robotic version of myself.
Practicing wrist releases reminds me that, sometimes, the best way forward is the path of least resistance. Sometimes, I don’t need to fight unnecessary battles when there’s an easier way. The path of least resistance often invites ease, rest, and joy along the way.
In the case of wrist releases, the path of least resistance will set me free — and might save my life.
With fist bumps and fancy pumps,
Carolyn
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