Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/714

 RECREATIONS 688 Fig. 2. By continuing the twist in Fig. 1 and locking the arm, victim can be brought to the ground not the slightest need for it to be carried to too great lengths ; the defender should be quick to give notice that the attack has been carried sufficiently far. But it is only by practising the tricks as they would be per- formed when actually used in self-defence that the required familiarity with them can be gained. If Fig. I be looked into, it will be seen that the right-hand performer has grasped her opponent's open hand, palm to palm, her fingers having closed over the thumb, pressing it inwards, and her own thumb has gone round to the back of the captured hand. The grip is a purely natural one. The hold taken, the captured hand is merely twisted outwards so as to bring the back of it uppermost. The victim's arm is to be kept quite straight. The twist locks the elbow- joint, and the victim is quite incapable of releasing herself. This twist employed on any genuine assail- ant would hold him entirely helpless, and this without any great exertion on the lady's part. He would find it impossible to keep his foothold, and would be beyond all power of retaliation with his right hand. If the need existed, he could be brought to the ground simply by con- tinuing the twist, and a lock employed to his arm that would effectually prevent him from either getting up or giving any further trouble (as in Fig. 2, which ex- plains itself). The hold must always be taken as shown, right hand against left, or left against right — never a cross-hand grip. The opposite hand is always the point of the attack. Although a slow twist is all that is necessary in practice, when this trick is iMg. 3. The first movement in a most valuable combat trick, cap- Kiring the wrist and bending the arm at the elbow back upon itself Fig. 4. The second movement, forcing the captured wrist over and outward used in earnest, a sharp jerky motion would be more effective. Never push the captured hand towards its owner, for that is giving opportunity for the bending of the elbow and the releasing of the pressure. If required, the left hand, by gripping the captured wrist, may be made to assist in forcing the victim to the ground. In Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are depicted the suc- cessive stages of one of the most valuable of all jiu-jitsu combat tricks. Faced by her adversary, the defender catches hold at the wrist of the outstretched and threatening arm. An opposite, never a cross-arm, hold is taken (left against right, and vice versa). The grip should be such that the thumb is upon the front of the wrist — the kind of hold that one would naturally assume. This, however, is not absolutely essential, and some learners may prefer the grip shown in the photograph. The captured wrist is then thrust slightly upward and backward, thus bending the arm at the elbow back upon itself. To facilitate this, the defender steps in and places her right hand underneath, just above the elbow. Without hesitation, the wrist is