Although these days most people would associate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a sporting context such as grappling tournaments or mixed martial art competition, it is first and foremost a self-defense system that has always prided itself on being able to defeat the largest and most aggressive of adversaries with correct technique and leverage.

And as a self-defense art that means in a street altercation, you are free to use certain techniques which are otherwise banned in grappling competitions and even the UFC because they are too deadly.

In the following self-defense tutorial video, Grapplearts.com founder and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Stephan Kesting goes through his one of his favorite illegal techniques against a lapel grab.

The inherent danger of being grabbed by the lapel is that the attacker now has some control over you and will have an easier time landing their punches on you.

So what do you do?

Throughout the video, Stephan will break down a sneaky but simple small joint lock to make your attacker think twice about grabbing you.

Check out the whole tutorial below.

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Stephan Kestingis a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and has been doing martial arts for over 30 years. He is also certified instructor in Erik Paulson’s Combat Submission Wrestling, a black belt in Kajukenbo Karate, an instructor in Dan Inosanto’s Jun Fan JKD, Maphalindo Silat and Filipino Martial Arts program. He has also studied Japanese Judo, Russian Sambo, various Chinese Kung Fu systems, Brazilian Capoeira, Muay Thai, and many other martial arts systems.

He is the owner and operator of Grapplearts.com and Beginning BJJ.com and you can also follow him on his YouTube channel for regular updates.

Author: Nic is a designer and illustrator alongside being a martial arts enthusiast. You can find some of his illustrative work for purchase here.