It is possible that an aggressor might grab your lapel and just hang onto it, but it is likely that he intends to drag or hit you. A firmly anchored grab will not be readily dislodged by martial arts wristlocks. If the grab cannot be defeated by knocking it aside before it is anchored, the best option is to make the opponent want to let go.
Attack the Head
One option is to twist the opponent’s wrist and hand outwards while either striking at his face or pushing his head back. This is done by putting the heel of your palm under his chin, fingers on his face, and tipping his head up and back. If you can get your fingers into his eyes he will usually be much more keen to let go and get out of reach.
One common street attack is to grab the lapel with the weak hand and strike with the strong one. Someone who grabs you with his left hand is almost certainly planning to punch with the right.
The grab can be quickly countered by cracking down hard with the forearm into the crook of the grabber’s arm, driving down to pull the opponent forward, followed by a swift counterstrike.
Grab and Knee
Another option is to completely ignore the grab – the opponent has tied up one or both of his hands to no good effect – and lunge in, grabbing him around the neck. From here, start firing knee strikes at his body, groin and legs. He may well lose interest in keeping hold of you.