Why Does Hapkido Obsess Over Wrist Grabs?

[@DrNikolaiLee]

As a lifetime practitioner of Hapkido, as well as a healthcare professional, I can say every time I have been attacked in real life has been by someone grabbing be, typically a wrist, or by a punch. Therefore I find the wrist techniques incredibly useful, especially from a teaching perspective and learning body mechanics. Many people forget that a real fight is not what happens in a cage match. Also, thank you for including several clips of my students in your video! Have a wonderful day and keep up the good work.

[@MattHinkamp]

hapkidoman45 thanks for the comment. I’m fortunate to have never been attacked by someone, so as I stated I can’t speak on the topic personally. I’m going off of what I know from others’ testimonies. But, I do believe that the techniques still have use even if you never need them in a real life scenario

[@gomergilligan4374]

you're lucky

[@KaptainCanuck]

Apply the principles the wrist grabs and such to things such as a clinch grappling scenario. In all, stop practising and start studying.

[@gregory4154]

I don't believe word of what you are writing. This sounds like bunk.

[@DrNikolaiLee]

@@gregory4154 that’s okay :) have a good day

[@godfistmartialarts6567]

Wrost grabbing is also a big part of the wrestling and Grappling history of human combat. Having an instinctive response to having your wristed grabbed is very important.

[@MattHinkamp]

Also true! Thanks for your input

[@Shadowrulzalways]

In Japanese JuJutsu, wrist grabs were common. Even in Judo. You can apply wrist grabbing in any grappling art. Even in a clinch it’s easy. Tratic-Jutsu channel teaches Aiki-JuJutsu wristlocks and ways to apply it today. He is a black belt in Daito-Ryu Aiki-JuJutsu and Kobukai JuJutsu.

[@ironmikehallowween]

Personally, I never understood the wrist grab stuff. I loved the kicks and throws, but the wrist grabs seemed silly, until that is, i started taking BJJ. Then I Learned that the techniques were basically the same taught from different positions. I knew how to do arm bars, and virtually every joint lock technique, leg locks included , plus how to get out of them. It has proved very useful indeed. Hapkido has joint lock techniques for wrist, arms, shoulders, feet, knees, legs, etc.,. We just generally learned them from standing positions, but they are the same. Now, I have grown to greatly appreciate Hapkido even more. The kicks are great. The throws are great. And now I find, joint lock techniques are great as well and can be applied from the ground. I suppose it is just more practical to teach them from standing positions instead of laying on the floor, but they are the same. At least that’s my theory . I have also learned that you need boxing to go with Hapkido. They are a great match.

[@MattHinkamp]

Certainly sounds like you made the most of your Hapkido training. Thanks for commenting

[@rayallen1479]

Thank you for your channel! I had the honor of doing two tours in the army in Korea in the mid 70’s. My first tour I was accepted into the elite security force at the Joint Security Area (JSA) working inside the DMZ at Panmunjom were we provided personal protection to various individuals. Hapkido training was very relevant to my situation. I just cannot say enough good things about the Korean people, their culture and let’s not forget, their cuisine... Cheers!

[@MattHinkamp]

Really appreciate getting insight from veterans like yourself. I agree, my time in Korea was the best of my life. Nothing like the culture and atmosphere

[@allomentproof2573]

Were you in MASH?

[@rolandmalone5431]

Just like the video eluded too..., I teach the clinch then manipulate the opponent via finger or wrist grab etc etc etc... I've also used many hapkido wrist grab and belt grab techs during rolling in jiu-jitsu... good stuff 💯🙏

[@gustavoadolfovasquezperdom1208]

I am learning to use it the same way, in bjj, my problem has been that bjj practitioners are usually sweated... so their wrist and hands turn to escape from my hands! 😅

[@paulhunter2505]

Matt nice. You are right about the sword and the old ways. I am happy when people study history. And many comments are bring up some good points. Nice to see that. Positive sharing is always good.

[@MattHinkamp]

Thanks for all of the positive comments Paul

[@simonedwards5220]

The founder of hapkido was taught aiki Jujitsu from Takeda. Ueshiba's teacher

[@scottholland2558]

Thanks Matt!

[@Jeilkwan]

Like you said it's a controlled and safe way to learn and practice your joint locks. Although some can be effective too. Because the distance to your core and danjeun (from the wrist grab) is quite big, you have to make extra effort to get your trainingspartner off balance, which is good for beginners 👍

[@MattHinkamp]

Thank you! And you make a great point, I appreciate you sharing

[@KaptainCanuck]

The higher you go in rank, a good 받아 (paw taw (ookay in Japanese)) will have his partner firmer while even higher ranks will use dynamic locks from things like clinches and other aggressive movements/holds.

[@MattHinkamp]

The basics always work and are what I recommend keeping as “go-to” techniques, but yes, higher ranks will train more complex versions of the basics that play off of what the opponent gives you. However there are some “advanced” techniques that I just don’t think are worth practicing because they are more choreography than practical technique

[@KaptainCanuck]

@@MattHinkamp , I agree with that. My thought above applies to all principles whether they be simple or advanced. There is no need for hapkido to take years to get adept at because the human body only moves a certain number of needed ways.

[@BoratfromKazakhstan]

Great question !!

[@optimusmaximus9646]

The only criticism I have of hapkido is that there are far too many techniques. In its attempt to become a "complete" martial art, it made it way too complex. I have always believed that concept is more important than any technique. Instead of learning a hundred techniques, it wold be more practical to learn half a dozen fundamental techniques and adapt them on the fly to any given situation. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day - teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Personally, I think it would be more profitable to learn one striking art and one grappling art rather a mishmash of unrelated techniques that have been thrown together for no other reason other than for completeness.

[@FlyingLotus]

most of these techniques are still accessible without having to be grabbed. Someone can throw a punch and you can block, grab the wrist and apply several techniques. The wrist grab/ insert grab is just the best way to demonstrate.

[@MattHinkamp]

100%. I like showing the same technique from different attacks to help get different angles and more completely understand a given technique. But yes, wrist grab techniques are often reserved for beginners because of their accessibility

[@ibaryabaq9197]

This notion of grabbing punches out of the air will get many in trouble. When in Hapkido live sparing or MMA have you ever witnessed a punched grabbed out the air?!

[@donmorfeo8901]

Good video. Wrist grabs are essential in destroying the ki of your attacker allowing you to break free and neutralize him. They are an essential pressure point to be attacked, although not the only one.

[@MattHinkamp]

Correct, wrist grabs are quite useful as a defense. This video served more to talk about the amount of focus we place on them as an attack, however

[@soundtreks]

Very well said sir.

[@MattHinkamp]

Thank you for the comment

[@1Blkkato]

im in my 50s, been in the Army, Dept of corrections, streets of Detroit with my share of fights and nobody ever grabbed my wrist in a fight. what has taken place were - the sucker punch, football tackle, headlock, bear hug, lapel grab, neck grab, sucker kick thats it.

[@MattHinkamp]

Yes, I’ve heard this statement a lot, but have heard some of the opposite as well. I think for either group of people the fundamentals practiced using wrist grabs can still serve the same importance - especially for a beginner

[@bigsidable]

A friend of mine tried to sneak up behind me while I was sitting at the bar watching football. He tried to slide his right arm under my left arm. Feeling someone touch me,I trap his forearm to my body,grab his wrist with my right arm. Turn clockwise, raised it up and grab the back of his elbow and pinned him against the bar holding his hand bent over his wrist and my right hand on his head. Still sitting in my seat. Really surprised him for sure. Once I twisted his hand and wrist. I had control of his arm. We laughed cause he a young buck who is training and he like to show me what he can do. I have 30 years of training ahead of him. But it showed him that even siting one can still defend ones self. That was just last weekend. Everyone in the bar went. Dam. That was fast. Most my friends know I been training for years. But never seen me do anything. I don’t show off my skills it just happen at that moment. That comes from years of training and practice. Where the body responds by itself.

[@SurtierWood]

The techniques that you do to defend against the wrist grabs are universal and can be used if someone has their hands on ANY part of your body

[@mikedasilva5239]

Hapkido is derived from Daito ryu Aikijutsu. Aikido also has many defences against wrist grabs.

[@MattHinkamp]

Yes. Just made a video comparing the two, Aikido & Hapkido

[@dstoglin1]

Great Video brother💯💯

[@MattHinkamp]

Thanks a bunch! Appreciate it

[@mikeduffy8240]

Teaching joint locks for 30 years now. I have found that teaching beginners locks from the wrist seize is good for a learning joint locks foundation. Then, once learned, they are shown how to implement\apply these locks to real assault applications (strikes, chokes, hair grabs, cloth\body grabs, headlocks, etc,), including defense against weapons (edged, ballistic and blunt trauma weapons). Just my humble opinion as there are a great many aspects to this discussion.

[@williamgage597]

I've seen security camera footage of kidnapping attempts on the local news where the kidnapper grabs a woman by her two wrists and pulls her toward a car and manages to get her in because the woman did not now how to get free. If you're a 6 foot 200 lb dude, perhaps a wrist grab is unlikely. If you're a much smaller person - say, a woman or a child - it seems more likely.

[@MattHinkamp]

Yes - it can certainly happen. But my point in the video was that wrist grab training isn’t always directly for training against a wrist grab - it serves other purposes. Thanks for the comment

[@graficoandres]

wooooo!!! Me gusto mucho!!!

[@MattHinkamp]

Cuenta con un muy buen maestro 😉

[@ricardoruy2241]

A pegada no uke é treino , na rua . . . 👊 Osssss.

[@lm5085]

Wrist grabs great for basics. And big point not mentioned. Clothing mainly winter wear. Try grabbing or striking an attacker while both are wearing winter clothing. Multiple layers on why wrist grabs. Another besides clothing is the fact wrists and ankles are furthest away from core are limbs can be manipulated into lever arms. And its easier to control a attacker by using the wrist or ankle as compatrd yo a elbow or shoulder. Those joints are harder to attack or control. Multi layering of reasons and techniques. What uou do to the wrist or arm you can do the exact technique on other limbs. And stand sit or lay down they all transfer over.

[@deangullberry5148]

Wrist grabs are way more common than people realize. Get some wrestling time in go to a bar (women get grabbed by the wrist all the time) talk to a kid that survived a child abduction

[@MattHinkamp]

You are correct - it can happen. My point in making the video was to explain that training wrist grab techniques serves other purposes than just preparing for someone to grab your wrist. Thanks for commenting

[@deangullberry5148]

@@MattHinkamp my comment was directed at the "nobody does that anymore" crowd, not you, sir. I teach wrist grab counters, while stressing the need to use them as a reference point. It's a way to learn a technique, and with practice they can be used "on the fly".

[@MattHinkamp]

@@deangullberry5148 no offense taken. It’s great to share perspectives with others who come down different roads but we can all find something in common

[@professorD72]

Picture this...Aikijutsu was used to keep samurai under "control". And if someone wanted to prevent you from drawing your sword, what do you think they'd want to control? Your wrist maybe? Just a thought.

[@jkdbuck7670]

Gotta start somewhere.

[@luigicannizzo2669]

" Very Special Martial Arts ". .. Many Complit for This ( vdc ) descriptive/analys on Stuff for This Work's on Hapkido Concept. .. So' Nice .. Osu ... ☺😊😀/👍👌👏👋

[@user-bn4ov9sp5s]

UM idk i did hapkido for many many years....... now i train in BJJ / judo.. and i see al the time wrist grabs in live sparing at the academy. a good exampole of this is the wrestlers arm drag.. it starts by grabing the wrist... i think grabing te wrist is way mor common in bar fights then people relize.. cheers great break down... pf hapkido.. i wish hapkido was still poppular like it was in the 80s.. cheers..

[@MattHinkamp]

Thank you for the comment...yes there are certainly situations where a wrist grab is a real thing, certainly in grappling. But I guess this video was more to highlight why we practice stand-up, resistance-free wrist grab techniques in hapkido, usually at the introductory ranks

[@rjsantos1551]

Same person that taught daito Ryu to Osensei of Aikido knew the founder of Hapkido. It's a very complicated and not so nice story if you know it. Daito Ryu focuses on wrist grabs because grabbing the wrist prevents weapon use. Period. End of discussion. It's actually just that simply

[@เด็กพเนจร-ฝ4ษ]

Wrist grab counters are fun little techniques you could pull off in a bjj sparring match or if you're an officer and someone tries going for your gun arm. You probably won't get wrist grabbed on the street though

[@MattHinkamp]

Yep, that seems to be most peoples’ consensus

[@bigsidable]

As I learn long time ago. Come through the thumb.

[@JamesSCavenaugh]

How do police move to arrest people? At some point they do a wrist grab prior to handcuffing. If you wanted to resist, knowing wrist grabs could be important.

[@Sabumnim666]

Wrist grabs by who? In the context of an attack most certainly it is as you say good for training but in a modern contact, be that a ground fight such as in Ju Jujitsu being competent in these is a faster more devastating response, so much so a certain practitioner was kicked out of competitions because of the damage he caused so quickly and easily. Knowing wrist grabs as a defense and occasionally as an attack is used in every martial art it takes far less power to control a wrist than apply an arm bar.

[@mattr.1887]

Seems to me that it is limited in scope, but I don't believe that makes it completely useless or a waste of time. In a real life fight, you might get grabbed. Hapkido might not be the best or only defense, but it seems viable. Most martial arts have their pros and cons. I don't think this one is any different. Honestly I would love to learn this.

[@vze21gwa]

Wrist grabs work when someone punches you, you block and redirect.

[@philochristos]

Hapkido was invented by somebody who had an older brother who would always grab his wrist, hit him with his own hand, and say, "Stop hitting yourself."

[@randymuaythai492]

I'm Indonesian Taekwondo coach. with no intention to discredit to hapkido. I train kopassus (komando pasukan khusus) Indonesian special forces. the special forces is the only military branch that refuse to change their martial arts to hapkido. why. in Indonesia we have military hapkido championships. n all the winners, the champions are from the special forces. and all of the fights ended with a kick knock out. so I don't know is hapkido is less effective in a fight or the coaches sucks. n now the special forces at a muaythai n BJJ in their training. I'm still the Taekwondo n mauythai coach. and the bjj coach is my friend anthony Zhang a Asia BJJ champion.

[@leoparafuso6367]

Lots of wrist grabs I’m sure, but aren’t there other techniques founded in judo and taekwondo that are used and if so why are the wrist grabs highlighted but applications from the other two over looked🤔

[@MattHinkamp]

Leo Parafuso I don’t think the others are overlooked, but wrist grabs are highlighted because they’re usually the first thing someone learns in Hapkido. As you stick around longer you dive into the other technique variations, but the percentage of people who stick around for years in Hapkido is always smaller than those who only start it and then quit, naturally

[@Stormie-jh8xc]

Matt Hinkamp I have been learning this and other martial arts from my dad for awhile and my dad taught me this by not being in a class but every day of just randomly grabbing rist and you have to figure out how to get out of it. If that is to twist you’re hand or use leverage. And figure out how to do it without thinking about it.

[@AlaiMacErc]

I think the video covers this pretty well: it's often the most basic and simplest place to start for learning and training any given technique. Gi grabs are closer range and more complex, countering strikes introduces the issue of timing. So you start with the wrist-grab, then you work out how to transpose to applying it from other situations.

[@gomergilligan4374]

hapkido likes to show how many ways u can twist a wrist - silly attacks - when u turn don't u think the attacker will let go?

[@jeffcolbert2019]

First, the point of any technique is to end the attack. If someone grabs you by the wrist and you punch at his face with your other hand to distract him so you can move into some type of lock or bar, did your defense fail because the attacker let go of your wrist to protect his face? Second, the reaction to a counter is often to double down on the attack. This is especially true of grabs where the point of the grab is to control the victim. When the victim appears to be pulling away, the response is often to grab tighter, so, no, the attacker will not necessarily let go, and if you do it right, by the time he realizes what you are doing it is too late. Finally, if you had listened to what he was saying, the grab is just a starting point to learn the technique, so the application is not limited to wrist grabs. For instance, I once had to help someone retrieve their belongings from a hotel room where the other person staying there had started abusing them. When I tried to enter, the abuser took a swing at me. I stepped in, smothering the attack, and took him down using a leg sweep type of throw. That technique is usually practiced with two opponents grabbing each other's gis. When I did it to him, I did not have to say, "Wait, could you please grab my lapels first because that is the way I learned to apply this technique." Likewise, after taking him to the ground and trying to calm him down, he tried to pull out a knife. I did not have to say, "I am going to need you to grab my wrist for a minute before you try to use that," I simply reached across, grabbed the outside edge of his hand and applied an S-Lock, you know, one of those wrist twisting defenses against "silly attacks." I applied just enough pressure to easily disarm him and, I assure you, he was much more compliant until the police showed up and arrested him.

[@MattHinkamp]

Everything Jeff said above, plus, the goal if someone grabs your wrist is first to escape. If this doesn’t work then you move into counters, locks, or submissions. If they decide to let go of your wrist at any point during that time to avoid your defense, then you have accomplished your first goal

[@AlaiMacErc]

In aikido (I assume the same is true with some hapkido techniques, don't know the details -- disclaimer) there's also a couple of techniques like nikyo where you first trap the grab with your free hand, then apply the pin. But as the other replies say, the object is to defend the attack, not to fixatedly apply some predetermined technique regardless of the situation. Are they letting go and backing off? Situation resolved -- maybe. Are they switching to another attack, or still presenting a danger to you or someone else? Respond to what they're doing now.

[@MerricMaker]

It's a training tool to learn how to manipulate a joint, that's all.

[@MattHinkamp]

Yep, as stated in the video

[@stevenlowe3245]

To teach principles of joint manipulation.

[@mario.619]

good video

[@martialartsclub2032]

non of these videos practice with any resistance. most wrist locks fail with mild resistance. and yes i am a blackbelt in hapkido

[@13grappler]

As an HKD black belt and an ex cop, you could not be more wrong. Wrist manipulation is so more than a wrist twist or joint lock. Ive used HKD wrist manipulations in the street on violent suspects.

[@martialartsclub2032]

@@13grappler I have been training and competing in mma the last 8 years and have trained numerous cops and military grappling is one of the best ways to handle violent suspects. that being said hapkido is one of the worst forms of grappling. I destroy hapkido and aikido practitioners with ease when we spar and grapple. HKD barely trains with resistance and is focused on weapons too much IMO. Cops should train wrestling and BJJ since you should not hit your civilians.

[@bigsidable]

It’s one of the weakest point of the body. It moves in many directions but has painful end point extension. It controls any weapon. But is the weak spot of the weapon itself.

[@robertmeno6400]

control

[@itiswhatitis1775]

Wrist grabs are common with untrained fighters , which is a large percentage of the population.

[@simonedwards5220]

Hapkido is basically aikido with taekwondo kicks

[@AlaiMacErc]

And groundwork and sparring too! A whole lot already going on, even before you get to the "combine with TKD" idea (which boggles my poor brain a little).

[@nexesses1548]

You kinda need to know at least a little about it otherwise the most amateur of wrestler will throw you around. I still think most traditional martial arts, especially those who focus on kicks are weaker against wrestlers, but at least try to counteract that weakness a little and learn how to play around it

[@MattHinkamp]

Yes very true. With grappling arts it’s definitely useful. But it is also practiced as a basis and easy way to get into techniques in general for the first time

[@matthinkampcooks]

I read this title in Jerry Seinfeld’s voice

[@reginaldwelkin]

I think wrist grabs are more commonly used against women and children.

[@MattHinkamp]

Yes I think this is more true in general as well. Simple wrist escapes may not save someone or ward off an attacker (they could), but I still think they are useful to practice for what they lead into and their principles

[@reginaldwelkin]

@@MattHinkamp I've also noted they are more common in weapons based arts as well.

[@TheMathPipe]

Imagine getting punched and trying to grab their wrist at the same time

[@scottonanski4173]

If you're not learning from Hwang In Sik, you're wasting time. Seriously, some of these 'black belts' are the equivalent of his senior yellow belts. I've literally seen yellow belts with better technique.

[@matthinkamptunes]

Catch these hands. Lol

[@RaneBane]

Unless you wrestle I wouldn't advise locking up with anybody in a fight. You don't know who won state champ in high-school and will have you eating from a straw for the rest of your life. Hate to break it to you but this won't work against someone who has boxed for even a year or knows their way around a mat.

[@RaneBane]

I get that lots of people cross train but they usually leave a sport like this once they find jiu jitsu or wrestling/boxing

[@SurtierWood]

A well trained hapkido student can easily take out a washed up high school wrestler. What does wrestling have? Grappling throws takedowns what does hapkido have? Punches kicks elbows in the clinch knees takedowns throws armbars chokes strikes to the throat eyes under the Ribs along with joint manipulation grappling along with weapons training before a wrestler could take out a hapkido master the washed up wrestler would catch the but of a stick to the temple a knee to the stomach with a joint lock and throw to the ground

[@SurtierWood]

Wrestling in a street fight? DONT EVER PURPOSELY go to the ground in a street fight. Hapkido is a striking sport with a bit of grappling throws and takedowns we all know the arts that mix striking and grappling are the best of both worlds

[@RaneBane]

@@SurtierWood yeah but they don't train hard enough. These guys don't have cauliflower ears, crooked nose or notches out of their eye brows from getting them split open in spars. Its fun to watch but, yeah, good wrestler is going to suplex you into a permanent state of catatonia

[@SurtierWood]

@@RaneBane i get what you mean wrestling has the same strict format that's popular we all know they train hard during practice hapkido is different the format way of training is not always the same you'll have hardcore hapkido places with hard rugged training then you'll have hapkido places that are nice and soft made to make quick money off of lames.

[@gregory4154]

Sorry, I know this "art" means a lot to you, but it just isn't practical. Learn MMA, but if you want to die, yes learn this art. If you took jujitsu for a month or even judo, just a month, you'll never go back to this.

[@MattHinkamp]

I’ve been practicing judo for a year and I still love Hapkido the same. It is much more than combat. I appreciate the respect but just because something doesn’t work for you doesn’t mean it’s the same way for everyone else

[@gregory4154]

@@MattHinkamp Look I get it. I've studied Hapkido for some time including other martial arts. There is a loyalty to the art that transcends physicality. BUT, if you had to go into a fist fight with a group of Hapkido practitioners or a group of BJJ fighters or Judoka, who would you take with you? For me, it comes down to that. When it's sold that you can depend your life on an art, for me that's when the line is drawn.

[@MattHinkamp]

@@gregory4154 i think that’s where we differ. I don’t practice martial arts for the purpose of fist fighting. That’s not to say I don’t believe in learning useful skills. But whether or not one art is above the other in who would “beat” the other in a fight is arguable, it’s just not a conversation that interests me. I think it’s fine that that’s where you place your interest btw. Just takes me back to my earlier point that not everybody has the same goals and interests as you, and that’s ok

[@gregory4154]

@@MattHinkamp Understood. This is my last comment on this.= and I'll say no more. Where I'm coming from is this: the presentation of Hapkido and these sorts of martial arts is that they are good (great?) for self-defense. They are not. Talking about the "likes of an art is good for me" is tantamount to stating that since tai chi is good for me, it's simply good, in and of itself. It is not. If that were the case, then why promote as a self-defense as many tai chi masters do? They are many who self-delude; consider the tai chi masters who claim to defeat hordes of fighters. Hapkido falls in this, speaking from one who has done it for many years. Approach any Hapkido master, legitimate master that is, and he (or she) would tell you that Hapkido is primarily for self-defense. Exercise, mental benefit, etc are secondary. I would shudder to think anyone to think he or she is equiped to handle a real defense situation. THAT is irresponsible. My last comment.

[@MattHinkamp]

@@gregory4154 I know several Hapkido masters - myself included - that do not promote self-defense as the primary purpose of the art. Not to say I don’t believe in the defenses taught in the art, but the spectrum is much wider than you’re making it