Fish-hooking

This article is about the martial arts technique. For other uses, see Fishhook (disambiguation).

Fish-hooking is the act of inserting a finger or fingers of one or both hands into the mouth, nostrils or other orifices of a person, and pulling away from the centerline of the body; in most cases with the intention of pulling, tearing, or lacerating the surrounding tissue. Forceful fish-hooking involves a high risk of permanent facial or orifice damage.^[1] Sometimes, the term fish hooking refers to a type of eye gouging.^[2]

Fish-hooking
Illustration of a man being fish-hooked
Style	Self-defense
Parent hold	Headlock, Chokeholds
Attacks	Mouth, Nostril, or other facial orifices
Counters	Biting of the applicable finger(s)

Fish-hooking techniques are disallowed in modern combat sports, mixed martial arts and martial arts competitions due to the risk of permanent injury. This technique is, however, occasionally taught as part of self-defense curricula in some martial arts such as Krav Maga and Gōjū-ryū karate, and used to be part of catch wrestling as well.

See also

• Pain compliance
• Self-defense
• Combatives