journeyjjbluebelt

The Gracie fundamental classes teach street fighting defenses against standing grabs.  There are around nine grab defenses. Going immediately to the floor in a fight, floor grappling, could be the worst place to go in a crowded area, bad floor terrain, or hostile unknown environment. Staying on the feet maybe the best option.

This week, we learned the defense against a straight-arm thumb down collar grab.  This was when an aggressive person grabs the collar or shirt, straight-arm, with the thumb facing the floor. I wasn’t clear on the setup, or why.

The defense goes as follows: tightly grab the opponents wrist, the one on the collar, with both thumbs facing down. Step back to drag the opponent off-balance then step back into the persons ribs. While stepping in, the outside elbow slides over the opponents elbow. The opponents palm should be facing the ceiling. The defender should have their elbow touching the front knee in a squat position. The break was holding pressure on the opponents elbow while lifting up the wrist. The attacker’s body will be bent over with arm and shoulder locked up, a very vulnerable position.

Why would anyone grab an opponent with a straight-arm thumb down on the collar? This was an awkward way for an attacker to grab someone.  I would guess this would be a judo gi grab in preparation for a throw.  Without the full move,  the attacker’s arm could be broken just by a quick grab of the wrist with both hands, thumbs facing down, and a strong turn in the thumb direction.

How could the thumb down straight-arm collar attacker prevent their arm from being broken?  I would guess the second-hand would have to grab the defender’s elbow at the same time so as to prevent the defender from turning , or from preventing the defender from grabbing the wrist with two hands.

What throw would a person attempt with the thumb down collar grab?  I don’t have an answer.