My sister got tagged by grabbing one by the tail.
Once they turn and get a lock on you, they can strike just like they were on the ground...you are an easy target.
I treat venomous snakes like loaded guns....getting bit can be fatal or at least very expensive and painful. NOT something to mess around with. So, if you must handle the thing, use a noose stick and keep that sucker away from you! Otherwise, pin the head securely, and grab the snake in your FIST, RIGHT BEHIND it's head,...NOT with thumb and a finger or two.
I had to relocate a 4.5' timber rattler from my campsite and it would have easily gotten free had I not had a white knuckles grip on it. Snakes are like fish, all muscle, and stronger than they look.
Disclaimer...you are at your own risk if you mess with snakes and my instructions are what works for me.