Controlling

At a beginner level, control amounts to locks and holds which restrict an opponent's movement. At an advanced level, the skills takes initial control (from a point of contact which you have caught) and progressing it from joint to joint until your opponent is immobile and has no threatening options.

The ultimate outcome of control (at a high level) is one of: a full-body lockout; a choke; a pin to the ground or a large object; broken joints or bones; a damaging throw; or vital point attack (press or strike). To reach this level, skill in footwork, weight control, Ki development and timing are all needed, apart from good basic catching.

There are very many angles through which joints may be controlled. These should be explained by your instructor - including knowing their potential damage and weaknesses.

There should be no uncertainty about who is in control.

Drills

Firstly, be careful. Applying locks with partners needs an appreciation of how effective it is right now. Many locks are fairly easy to judge, but some are too easy to apply too firmly for practice and friendship. Appreciate the role of footwork and maintaining control. The greatest weakness is uncertainty, leading to loss of concentration. I advise to master one technique at a time.

Some people are less susceptible to locks than others. This reduces, but does not remove the usefulness of control on them. For these people, you need to pay more attention to balance control and footwork. You can usually still send the extent of control from one joint to the next (repeatedly), but keep them unbalanced so they can't lever out.

Examples to appear.

Tom Osborn - 1996