(From Black Belt Magazine 6/1999)
Hook, Line & Sinker Six Tried-and-True Baiting Techniques for Grapplers by Santos Flaniken
You want to give your opponent the opportunity to escape or the impression that he can attack. Intrying to do so, he will make a mistake, and that's when you capitalize on it. No doubt you've seen skilled boxers dance around the ring, boldly thrusting their chin out for their opponent to clobber. You've probably also seen muay Thai fighters inch forward with their elbows held high, just asking their opponent to lunge in and launch a front kick at their gut. Fighters do this because they want their opponent to make a certain move, one for which they've already prepared an effective response and counterattack. They are using a strategy known as "baiting".
The Time Is Right
In combat, in a tournament or on the street executing a single technique on your opponent can be difficult. If that opponent possesses fighting skills that are equal to yours, the challenge can be even greater. In such a situation, your chances of victory can be increased through the use of baiting. Baiting techniques come in two varieties: The first makes your opponent think a certain, obvious technique is coming, then when he blocks it you finish him with something completely unexpected. The second offers him a disguised chance to attack you, and when he takes it you submit him with a finishing hold. Either way it's entrapment, pure and simple. True baiting is often ignored during the heat of battle. For one reason or another, combatants usually fail to think about using their body to trap their opponent. Consequently, they tend to plunge ahead using unnecessary brute force to accomplish their objective. But experienced martial artists know it's wiser to use less force and conserve their strength for when they really need it. Likewise, they know it's better to remain loose and pliable while they are trying to determine their opponent's weaknesses. The following six techniques employ baiting methods that will open your opponent to a quick finish. No matter which grappling art you study, they can be easily incorporated into your fighting style.
Faking an Armbar
If your opponent is lying on his left side and you are on top in the side-control position, he'll probably expect you to trap his right arm, straighten it and fall backward into an armbar. Therefore, he'll probably try to keep his arm tense and bent. Your strategy is different. Casually insert your right wrist into the crook of his right arm from underneath, but don't sink it in too deep or you will telegraph your real intentions. Leave just enough slack to give him the impression that he can escape from the "impending" armbar. Next, place your left hand lightly across his right wrist. Then move your body near the back of his head-around his blind side-and figure-4 his arm as you go into a double wrist lock. That amounts to putting your right hand on your left wrist and twisting his arm backward. He will feel the pain in his shoulder. It's important to avoid telegraphing your intentions, and that means not using your left hand to grasp his right wrist because he will be able to feel your strength. If you use only your bent wrist to trap his wrist, he won't know what's coming. Another key to making this technique succeed is keeping your chest pressed against and perpendicular to your opponent's torso. You should also keep your legs spread so he can't roll you.
Pretending to Mount, Part 1
When a fighter is lying on his back, the foremost thing on his mind will usually be keeping you from mounting him. He can accomplish this by balling up his body or placing one foot on the opposite knee to form a barrier. Either way, you can use a simple baiting technique to make him think you are trying to mount him, then attack him with an unexpected technique: the crooked head scissors. If you are on your opponent's right side, control his right arm with your left arm. To give him the impression that you are going to mount him, bump his hip several times with your right knee, which makes it appear as though you are on your way over that leg. Most people like to fake a technique three times, so it's better to do it only once or twice and then make your move. Push his face to his left (downward) with your left knee so he can't see what you're doing, then spin your body until your hips are over his head. Your knees clamp onto his head like a vise, and your left elbow rests on his hip and rib area. After your knees are in position and your feet have locked together, lift your knees off the ground. This is referred to as the "floating knees" position. Then shift your hips so his head is turned further to the left. He will feel the pain in his neck. This is one of the fastest submission techniques possible from the side-control position.
Pretending to Mount, Part 2
If you are on top of your opponent in the side-control position, you can bait him with your right leg by moving it as though you want to mount him (as described above). When he puts his knee up to block your move, use your right arm to reach under his right leg and grip his knee; this is called "holding the apple." Next, raise your body and shift your hips forward until you are in position to immobilize his knee with your thighs instead of your right hand. Then slide your left leg across his abdomen while keeping your knees together. Spin your hips just enough to pin his kneecap against your torso. To finish the kneebar, fall and twist your body clockwise. As your arms pull his toes toward your chest, his knee will be hyper-extended, but you can apply additional pressure by securing his foot under your armpit before you arch your back.
Faking an Arm Lock
The strangle forearm choke can be coupled with a baiting technique that appears to threaten your opponent's arm instead of his neck. Starting again from the side-control position, trap your opponent's right arm under your left shin. That helps you act like a human paperweight and keep him from escaping. Your right hand controls his right knee, and your left arm encircles his neck. As your left hand reaches for his left wrist, he will think you are trying to execute a wrist lock. Therefore, he will try to extend his arm to keep it out of your reach. If you do manage to grasp his wrist, he will immediately yank it away and think he has escaped. That's your cue to clasp your hands together on the far side of his neck while keeping your forearms parallel. The preferred method for doing this is with Gene LeBell's threefinger grip. Then, like a bottle opener, your right arm sinks into his chest and neck, and your left arm lifts on the back of his head. He will feel the pain in the front and back of his neck.
Offering Your Head
To finish an opponent who is as strong as you are, you can use a baiting technique that offers him your head. Once he gets a good head lock on you with his right arm, use the knife edge of your left forearm to push against his cheekbone. Then step over his torso with your right leg and push against your left wrist with your right hand. That will cause his head lock to disintegrate. Next, raise your body and extend his arm, setting him up for a straight armbar. If possible, trap his arm between your shoulder and head. You should also control his right elbow by "holding the apple," or gripping the bulge of the joint with your right hand. Then just lie back and complete the armbar.
Offering Your Leg
Baiting can also work when you're facing a wrestler on your feet. Because wrestlers are often very explosive, you will probably want to go for a quick submission hold. One such hold is the front face lock, which requires you to first offer him your leg. When you stick out your right leg, chances are the wrestler will shoot in for a single-leg takedown. In fact, most will not be able to resist the temptation. Once he shoots, you must act quickly. If his head is on the outside of your leg, slip your right hand along the left side of his face and use the blade of your forearm to turn it to his right. If his head is on the inside of your leg, slip your open hand between your shin and his face, then twist his head the same way. After you sink your arm in all the way, bend forward so you can pull his head into your chest or stomach. There it will be momentarily trapped. The face lock is executed by putting pressureon his cheekbone with your right forearm. To increase leverage, your left hand should grasp his right triceps. Then complete the figure-4 lock by placing your right hand on your left forearm, and apply pressure not so much with your arms but by arching backward and using your chest to push his head downward. Your goal is to make the top of his head face the ground, but no opponent will last that long without submitting. The secret is to let your legs do the lifting, for they are four times as strong as your arms!
