Forms and Sets > Short Form 3 > Frequently Asked Questions > What is the difference between a hold, hug, grab, lock and choke?

Before discussing the difference between each of the attacks, it is necessary to first discuss their similarities.

First, each of the attacks; hug, hold, grab, lock and choke fall into a general category of attack called dead-handed. The name dead-handed implies that the attacking weapon is otherwise engaged and cannot easily be converted into a more aggressive type of attack without first disengaging the currently applied attack. Of the three major categories of attack - dead-handed, semi-live, and live; dead-handed attacks are typically some of the simplest attacks to deal with. This is due to their predictable nature, their inability to be easily converted to another category of attack, and that they tend to be less threatening and less immediately deadly in nature (i.e., requiring immediate reaction). But, if a dead-handed attack is allowed to be fully applied against the defender, they can be some of the most technically challenging attacks to defend against. And, in some cases nearly impossible to counter or defend against.

Second, the name dead-handed implies a common attribute among the attacks, namely that they all engage the opponent's body in some way (usually the limbs) by using some form of contact against the defender in order to be properly executed. The way in which the contact is applied and for what purpose distinguishes the attacks from one another.

A hold is a term used to describe a maneuver that uses some form of vice-like maneuver to hinder the defender's ability to maneuver parts or all of their body and/or limbs. It can be used as a general term which encompasses all of the dead-handed attacks, but in most cases the term specifies a maneuver that does not use the hands, joint manipulation nor restriction of the defenders air (or blood) flow. An example of a hold would be the attacker pinning the defender's hand against the attacker's chest (i.e., Bow of Compulsion).

A hug can be distinguished by the characteristic that the attacker's arms are used to encompass the defender's body (with or without the arms being pinned), creating a vice-like maneuver. This definition can be extended to include the attacker's legs or the defender's limbs or head. An example of a hug would be a bear-hug (i.e., Crashing Wings).

A grab can be distinguished by the characteristic that the attacker's hands are used to create a vice-like maneuver to any part of the defender's body and/or clothing. Also, in rare instances, this definition can be extended to include the attacker's feet. An example of a grab would be grabbing a defenders wrist (i.e., Crossing Talon) or shirt (i.e., Conquering Shield).

A lock can be distinguished by the characteristic that the attacker applies pressure against a joint (or joints) of the defender's body. Other distinguishing factors are:

•the application of force against the joint(s) is the primary control over the defender

•the vice-like part of the maneuver is not a major attribute and can in certain instances be eliminated

•a lock can easily be converted into a break by the application of more pressure and as such adds an element of priority over most of the other dead-handed maneuvers

An example of a lock would be a hammerlock (i.e., Locked Wing).

A choke can be distinguished by the characteristic that the attacker applies pressure for the purpose of restricting air flow of the defender. Also, this definition can be extended to include blood flow. Furthermore, it is right to assume that the other dead-handed attacks (excluding locks) can be interpreted as a choke if the intent of the attack is to restrict either blood and/or air flow in the defender. Chokes are the most lethal of the dead-handed attacks. This is due to the need to cease the restriction of flow in the defender in order to prevent permanent damage and/or death. An example of a choke is a two-handed grab to the throat (i.e., Circling Wing).