A rod coercer for use in spinal fixation procedures is provided. The rod coercer can be pivoted in a first direction to fixedly grip an implant, and pivoted in a second direction to reduce a rod into the implant. In one embodiment, the rod coercer includes first and second articulating forceps branches, first and second rod contacting arms extending from the first and second forceps branches, and first and second implant gripping arms pivotally interconnected with the rod contacting arms. In another embodiment, the rod coercer includes forceps branches which each include upper and lower forceps branches which pivot with respect to each other, and a rod contacting arm interconnected with one of the forceps branches. In another embodiment, the rod coercer includes pivotable implant gripping arms and a rod contacting arm driven by one of the forceps branches.