Hello! If you’re new to POWERS, welcome! To those returning, welcome back! My name is Carolyn Fallert. I’m a writer trained in Krav Maga self-defense. Here, I share my self-defense practice to help you stay safe and reclaim the best version of yourself. You are worth fighting for. Thanks for being here.
I’m back with some more wrist-release techniques! Have you tried the techniques from Part I or Part II? If so, I’d love to hear how they felt for you.
Wrist releases are considered “soft” self-defense techniques. They are designed to protect you without harming the other person. (This makes them safe to practice with family members or friends!)
There are many situations where “soft” techniques are relevant—perhaps as an educator protecting against an angry student or as a health care provider protecting against a confused patient. In these situations, you want to protect your physical body but don’t want to harm the other person, especially if they are part of a vulnerable population.
Wrist release techniques are also a life-saving tool if someone is trying to drag you against your will. Through my self-defense training, I’ve learned that our chances of survival drop significantly when an attacker takes us to a second location. So, if someone is dragging you by the wrist(s), use these techniques and fight like hell to get free. Your life may depend on it.
Today, I’ll show you how to escape a double wrist grab — i.e., when your attacker grabs both your wrists.
This could happen in four different ways. We’ll talk through each of them today.
Your arms are at your side. Your attacker grabs both wrists from the front. With your palms facing toward you, pull your hands toward each other, up, and out. Your bicep muscles will help pull your wrist through the weak point in your attacker’s grip. Finish with your hands up and palms out to protect your face. It would look like this:
Your hands are up. Your attacker grabs both wrists from the front. As you rotate your palms toward your face, bring your hands toward each other, down, and out. This should break your attacker’s grip. Remember to bring your hands back up to protect your face. Here’s a demonstration:
Your arms are at your side. Your attacker grabs both wrists from behind. Bend your elbows as you turn to face your attacker. This movement is simple, but incredibly effective. Here’s what it looks like:
Your hands are up. Your attacker grabs both wrists from behind. Lift one of your arms up, slip your head under your attacker’s arm holding your lifted arm. As you do so, turn to face your attacker. Your arms will be crossed. Pry your wrists free by rotating the thumb-side of each wrist to align with the weak point in your attacker’s grip (where their thumb and fingers meet) and pull free. Check out this great demonstration based on a real-life situation by @evetorresgracie (Co-Creator of Women Empowered Gracie Jiu-Jitsu for Self-defense) on Instagram:
These double wrist releases remind me that, even when it feels like my hands are tied (or wrists grabbed, in this case), I have more power than I realize.
Today, there is a lot of chaos in the world. A few powerful people are exerting a lot of control over many millions. It’s easy to feel hopeless, like our hands are tied.
Wrist releases remind me that I am not stuck. I can release myself from limiting beliefs and focus on the power I do have. There are ways to resist and break free.
Stay safe out there. You are worth fighting for.
With fist bumps and fancy pumps,
Carolyn
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For more content, you can also follow me on Instagram: @ carolynfallert