Grappling position
Encyclopedia
A grappling position refers to the positioning and holds
of combatants engaged in grappling
. Combatants are said to be in a neutral position if neither is in a more favourable position. If one party has a clear advantage such as in the mount
they are said to be in a "dominant position". Conversely, the other party is considered to be in an inferior position, in that case sometimes called the "under mount".
. From a separated stand-up position, a clinch is the result of one or both fighters applying a clinch hold. The process of attempting to advance into more dominant clinch positions is known as pummelling.
The major types of standing clinch are such as:
Fighters may attempt to break from the clinch, either as the rule require it at in boxing
or because they wish to obtain a better position by moving out and re-engaging, If the clinch continues, fighters may attempt to strike
, takedown
or throw
an opponent. This may result in a win, or the start of ground grappling.
Positioning is the foundation of ground fighting
, if one combatant is physically clearly on top, such as if they are pinning
the other combatant to the ground, then that combatant is said to have the top position, while the other combatant is said to have the bottom position. Top positions are usually dominant as fighters can use their weight to their advantage, but depending on the set of rules used, it can have notable exceptions such as the guard
. A dominant ground position is usually easier to obtain for the person who initiated the throw or takedown. It may be possible for a fighter in a dominant position to score points or win by pinning their opponent, applying a Submission hold or striking.
There is a rough hierarchy of major ground grappling positions form the most advantageous to the least for the "top" fighter:
A reversal from a dominant or top position is called a sweep, these are usually the aim of a fight in the bottom position, though there are some submissions that can be executed from the bottom, most commonly from the guard. While a position may be considered dominant in one sport, that may not be the case in another, for example, the closed guard in BJJ may be dominant in terms of submission, in mixed martial arts
(MMA) however, where striking is allowed, while the guard still offers submission opportunities and defence, the fighter on top can strike better than the one on the bottom so the position is usual viewed as neutral in MMA. Wrestling
is different again viewing guard as inferior due to the risk of being pinned
.
Grappling hold
A grappling hold is a grappling, wrestling, judo or other martial arts term for a specific grip that is applied to an opponent. Holds are principally used to control the opponent, and to advance in points or positioning...
of combatants engaged in grappling
Grappling
Grappling refers to techniques, maneuvers, and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage, such as improving relative position, escaping, submitting, or injury to the opponent. Grappling is a general term that covers techniques used in many disciplines, styles and martial...
. Combatants are said to be in a neutral position if neither is in a more favourable position. If one party has a clear advantage such as in the mount
Mount (grappling)
The mount, or mounted position, is a dominant ground grappling position, where one combatant sits on the other combatants torso with the face pointing towards the opponent's head. This is very favourable for the top combatant in several ways...
they are said to be in a "dominant position". Conversely, the other party is considered to be in an inferior position, in that case sometimes called the "under mount".
Stand-up positions
Called clinch position or standing grappling position, these are the core of clinch fightingClinch fighting
Clinch fighting is the part of stand-up fighting where the combatants are grappling in a clinch, typically using clinch holds. Clinching the opponent can be used to eliminate the opponent's effective usage of some kicks, punches, and mêlée weapons...
. From a separated stand-up position, a clinch is the result of one or both fighters applying a clinch hold. The process of attempting to advance into more dominant clinch positions is known as pummelling.
The major types of standing clinch are such as:
- Bear hugBear hugIn wrestling, a bear hug, also known as a bodylock, is a grappling clinch hold and stand-up grappling position where the arms are wrapped around the opponent, either around the opponent's chest, midsection, or thighs; sometimes with one or both of the opponents arms pinned to the opponent's body...
- Collar-and-elbow positionCollar-and-elbow positionA collar-and-elbow hold is a stand-up grappling position where both combatants have a collar tie, and hold the opponent's other arm at the elbow. Generally the opening move in professional wrestling, the collar-and-elbow is generally a neutral position, but by pushing the hand on the elbow to the...
- Double collar tie
- Double underhooks
- Pinch grip tiePinch grip tieA pinch grip tie, or an over-under bodylock, is a clinch hold and stand-up grappling position that is an extension of the over-under position, but having both hands locked behind the opponents back. The hands are typically locked with a palm-to-palm grip, palm-to-wrist grip or fingers-to-fingers grip...
- Clinch hold
Fighters may attempt to break from the clinch, either as the rule require it at in boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
or because they wish to obtain a better position by moving out and re-engaging, If the clinch continues, fighters may attempt to strike
Strike (attack)
A strike is an attack with an inanimate object, such as a weapon, or with a part of the human body intended to cause an effect upon an opponent or to simply cause harm to an opponent. There are many different varieties of strikes...
, takedown
Takedown (grappling)
A takedown is a martial arts and combat sports term for a technique that involves off-balancing an opponent and bringing him or her to the ground, typically with the combatant performing the takedown landing on top. The process of quickly advancing on an opponent and attempting a takedown is known...
or throw
Throw (grappling)
A throw is a martial arts term for a grappling technique that involves off-balancing or lifting an opponent, and tossing them to the ground in Japanese martial arts referred to as nage-waza, 投げ技, "throwing technique"...
an opponent. This may result in a win, or the start of ground grappling.
Ground positions
Ground fighting
Ground fighting is hand-to-hand combat which takes place while the combatants are on the ground, generally involving grappling...
, if one combatant is physically clearly on top, such as if they are pinning
Pin (wrestling)
A pinfall, a pin, or a fall is a victory condition in various forms of professional wrestling that is met by holding an opponent's shoulders on the wrestling mat for a prescribed period of time...
the other combatant to the ground, then that combatant is said to have the top position, while the other combatant is said to have the bottom position. Top positions are usually dominant as fighters can use their weight to their advantage, but depending on the set of rules used, it can have notable exceptions such as the guard
Guard (grappling)
The guard is a ground grappling position where one combatant has their back to the ground, while attempting to control the other combatant using the legs...
. A dominant ground position is usually easier to obtain for the person who initiated the throw or takedown. It may be possible for a fighter in a dominant position to score points or win by pinning their opponent, applying a Submission hold or striking.
There is a rough hierarchy of major ground grappling positions form the most advantageous to the least for the "top" fighter:
- Rear mount
- MountMount (grappling)The mount, or mounted position, is a dominant ground grappling position, where one combatant sits on the other combatants torso with the face pointing towards the opponent's head. This is very favourable for the top combatant in several ways...
- Knee-on-stomachKnee-on-stomachKnee-on-stomach, or knee-on-belly, knee-on-chest, knee-ride, knee mount and uki-gatame, 浮固, "floating hold" in budō) is a dominant ground grappling position where the top combatant places a knee on the bottom combatants torso, and usually extends the other leg to the side for balance...
- Side controlSide controlSide control is a dominant ground grappling position where the top combatant is lying perpendicularly over the face-up bottom combatant in such a way that the legs are free and he or she exerts considerable control over the combatant on the bottom...
- North-south positionNorth-south positionIn combat sports, the north–south position is a ground grappling position where one combatant is supine, with the other combatant invertedly lying prone on top, normally with his or her head over the bottom combatant's chest...
- Half guardHalf guardHalf guard, or alternatively half mount, is a ground grappling position where one combatant is lying on the other, with the bottom combatant having one leg entangled. Sometimes the bottom combatant is said to be in half guard, while the top combatant is in a half mount respectively. The half guard...
- Disengaged*
- GuardGuard (grappling)The guard is a ground grappling position where one combatant has their back to the ground, while attempting to control the other combatant using the legs...
- *Fighters are disengaged if neither has a grip on the other they can use to restrict their movement
A reversal from a dominant or top position is called a sweep, these are usually the aim of a fight in the bottom position, though there are some submissions that can be executed from the bottom, most commonly from the guard. While a position may be considered dominant in one sport, that may not be the case in another, for example, the closed guard in BJJ may be dominant in terms of submission, in mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
(MMA) however, where striking is allowed, while the guard still offers submission opportunities and defence, the fighter on top can strike better than the one on the bottom so the position is usual viewed as neutral in MMA. Wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
is different again viewing guard as inferior due to the risk of being pinned
Pin (amateur wrestling)
A pin, or fall, is a victory condition in various forms of wrestling that is met by holding an opponent's shoulders or scapulae on the wrestling mat for a prescribed period of time. This article deals with the pin as it is defined in amateur wrestling.In amateur wrestling, a pin ends the match...
.
Examples
- In an amateur wrestlingAmateur wrestlingAmateur wrestling is the most widespread form of sport wrestling. There are two international wrestling styles performed in the Olympic Games under the supervision of FILA : Greco-Roman and freestyle. Freestyle is possibly derived from the English Lancashire style...
match, the wrestlers are standing in a symmetrical position, with both wrestlers having a pinch grip tiePinch grip tieA pinch grip tie, or an over-under bodylock, is a clinch hold and stand-up grappling position that is an extension of the over-under position, but having both hands locked behind the opponents back. The hands are typically locked with a palm-to-palm grip, palm-to-wrist grip or fingers-to-fingers grip...
on the other wrestler. The wrestlers are in a neutral position. Wrestler 'A' then pummels through to gain Double underhooks so gaining a dominant position. - In a Brazilian jiu-jitsuBrazilian Jiu-JitsuBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
match, grappler 'C' is holding the other grappler 'D' in an open guardGuard (grappling)The guard is a ground grappling position where one combatant has their back to the ground, while attempting to control the other combatant using the legs...
. The open guard allows grappler 'C' to attempt a multitude of submission holds, while grappler 'D's priority is to advance in position, grappler 'C' is in a dominant position with the top grappler is in an inferior position, as it is hard for 'D' to attack before they improve their position. 'D' then used a Near knee guard passNear Knee Guard PassNear Knee Guard Pass is a guard pass demonstrated inThe Essence Of Judoby Kyuzo Mifune.It is also currently named and illustrated in.- Technique description :The main characteristic of the Near Knee Guard Pass is...
getting one leg though to gain Half guard, a more dominant position where they can attack 'C' and 'C' will find submitting them more difficult - In a mixed martial arts bout, fighter 'E' has a strong closed guard and is using it to help defend against punches, fighter 'F' cannot strike with full effect, but is unlikely to be struck effectively or submitted quickly so they are in a relatively neutral fighter 'F' is then swept and mounted by fighter 'E' giving them a dominant position.
- In Muay ThaiMuay ThaiMuay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
, the stand-up clinch is effectively utilized. However, its grappling attacks are limited to sweeps, as the clinch is mainly used for setting up uppercuts and strikes from the knees and elbows. The primary clinch in this art is known as the Thai Plum or the Collar Tie.