The squad has been mixing up its regular training regime of weightlifting, shuttles and endless drills with some grappling sessions on the wrestling mat at the New Zealand Fight and Fitness Academy.
Grappling is a form of martial arts where opponents jockey for position and try to force their opponent to submit.
Highlanders trainer Matt Dallow is known as a hard taskmaster - but unarmed combat?
"It is something different for them," he said.
Half the battle, Dallow said, was keeping training fresh and interesting.
"Keeping them motivated and giving them something new helps keep them inspired.
"And if it is competitive, like this is, then it is a chance for them to try that little bit harder."
The players get a minimum of four weeks off following the end of the Air New Zealand Cup and a mandatory two weeks at Christmas.
So with the Highlanders' first game against the Crusaders in Christchurch on February 13, Dallow is keen to get in as much hard work as possible.
"We only get a very short window - two and a-half weeks in December and four weeks in January - before we are playing games.
"So there really isn't much chance to take it easy on them."
Where the players are going to use their newly acquired ability to apply choker holds and arm locks remains a mystery.
But many of the same techniques used to evade assailants will come in handy to dodge opponents and wrestle free from tackles.
"A couple of the boys were just talking about that and there is nothing in the judiciary to say you can't, which is a little scary," he joked.
"But it is about using someone else's weight against them and using leverage to get an advantage over them."
The Highlanders have had two sessions and will return in January for a further session.
Dallow is hopeful the team will be able to fit in a few extra grappling sessions before the season starts.
