Wrist Lock

A wrist lock (mao de vaca in Portuguese) is a submission that hyperextends or laterally bends the wrist joint. It can be applied from virtually any position — mount, guard, side control, or even during grip fighting — by isolating the opponent's hand and bending the wrist past its natural range of motion. Wrist locks are often "sneaky" submissions that catch opponents off guard, especially in gi competition where grips provide natural setups.

Wrist locks are restricted by age and belt level in most organizations. In IBJJF, wrist locks are illegal for all juvenile and younger competitors and for white and blue belt adults — they are only legal from purple belt and above. NAGA allows wrist locks for intermediate and advanced adult divisions. AGF follows a similar tiered approach. The restriction exists because the wrist is a small, delicate joint and the submission can come on very quickly with little warning, making it unsuitable for less experienced competitors.

For youth competitors, wrist locks are banned across all major organizations. Parents should be aware that this is one of the techniques that becomes legal only as a competitor advances to higher belt levels. The small bones and developing joints of young athletes make wrist locks an inappropriate technique for youth competition. If your child is competing in youth divisions, they do not need to worry about defending wrist locks — but they should know the technique is illegal so they don't accidentally apply one and face disqualification.