A clinch is a grappling position of holding the opponent in stand-up fighting. In a clinch, one opponent holds the other opponent in a close-range body position, usually by using arms and the upper body. For example, when the back of the head of the opponent is held with one or both hands and pulled downwards, then this movement is known as a clinch hold. This is a popular clinch; however, there are also many other types of clinches.
Muay Boran Academy video “Lesson 179: Muay Boran Clinch Knee Controls (part 2)”:
Why perform a clinch?
In a fight when the distance is closed and close-range grappling occurs, then the fighters try to control each other with clinch holds, so as to get advantageous positions. The purpose of a clinch may vary with the martial art being used; however, typically a clinch is executed for the following purposes:
-Control. Controlling the opponent by various means is fundamental in any fight. With a clinch a fighter can restrict the movement of the opponent. This enables to control the opponent. The control thus gained is used to the advantage of the fighter as per the prevailing circumstances of the fight.
-Neutralize. With a clinch, the offensive moves of the opponent can be neutralized. As a clinch is executed in an extremely close position, the opponent has no space to execute a punch or a kick. Neutralizing the opponent’s strikes can be used as an offensive or as a defensive strategy.
—Neutralizing as a strategy for offense. When the strikes of the opponent are neutralized, it becomes easier to deliver close-range attacks on the opponent. Knees are generally used for striking the head, face, or the body; nonetheless, elbows and punches may also be used according to the type of clinch.
—Neutralizing as a strategy for defense. If the opponent is good at delivering long-range or mid-range strikes, then by closing the distance with a clinch, the opponent’s strikes can be neutralized as a defensive measure. Thereafter, one’s own close-range strikes can be used advantageously.
-Set up. A clinch can be used as a set up for another move. For example, a clinch can lead to a leg sweep, so that the balance of the opponent is disrupted, and he falls to the ground. Disruption of balance can also be used to execute throws or takedowns. Thus, a clinch can be used for setting up sweeps, throws or takedowns.
-Transition. If the opponent is good at stand-up fighting, then it might be possible that he may be weak in ground fighting. Alternatively, if one is good at ground fighting then irrespective of the opponent’s skill in ground fighting, it is advantageous to take the fight to the ground. A clinch serves as a transitioning move to take the fight from stand-up to the ground.
-Advantageous/dominant position. An advantageous position is also known as a dominant position. When neither fighter has an advantageous position, then it is called as a neutral position, but when one fighter has a more favorable position, then that fighter dominates over the other, and this is known as a dominant or an advantageous position. Both fighters attempt to take advantageous positions while grappling in a clinch hold. Attempting to advance to an advantageous position from a clinch is known as “pummelling”. In a clinch, both fighters perform pummelling to obtain an advantageous position. An advantageous position may mean to simply break free from the clinch hold and move out of the close range. It may also mean to remain in the clinch, but be able to strike with knees, elbows, headbutts, or fists. Again, it may mean to be able to execute a throw or a takedown or a sweep. An advantageous position may also mean to be on top of the opponent at the start of ground fighting and employ submission moves. Therefore, a clinch can be used to get an advantageous/ dominant position over an opponent.
-Psychological domination. When the opponent is controlled with a clinch, then one is in a dominant position. This dominance over the opponent generally makes the opponent psychologically weak and he desperately tries to escape from the clinch. Being unable to escape, he experiences frustration, which results in mental fatigue. With a mentally tired opponent, the fight is finished quickly.
-Recovery. Sometimes, the pace of the fight may be too fast or too slow, which may result in unrhythmic and uncoordinated movements. It becomes essential to control the rhythm of the fight so that the movements become coordinated. To recover the rhythm, a clinch may be used. Again, sometimes a clinch may be used either to recover or conserve energy. When one is too tired to make any offensive moves, a clinch may be used to recover some energy. A clinch may also be used in the beginning only to conserve energy so that the conserved energy can be used later on as the fight progresses.
-Adaptability. All moves of all martial arts of the entire world are always adaptable. Due to this, the expert martial artist studies different martial arts and successfully adapts any move of any martial art, as and when required in the changing circumstances of a fight. A clinch is also adaptable and no matter which martial art a martial artist practices, he can always adapt a clinch taken from any martial art, to serve his purpose during the fight.
Danny Fung video “How to Pummel Correctly | MMA | Grappling | Wrestling | Jiu-Jitsu”:
Types of Clinches
Among the various types, the typical clinch holds are given below. Again, there are several variations in each type, and only the popular ones are mentioned here.
Popular clinch holds are:
-Overhook and Underhook clinch
-Over-under position clinch
-Pinch grip tie clinch
-Collar tie clinch
-Bearhug or bodylock clinch
Overhook and Underhook clinch
When a fighter hooks his arm over the arm of the opponent to encircle the opponent’s arm or the upper body, then it is known as an overhook. Conversely, if the fighter hooks his arm under the arm of the opponent to encircle the opponent’s arm or the upper body, then it is known as an underhook If one arm is used, then it is called as a single overhook or a single underhook, and if both arms are used, then it is called as a double overhook or a double underhook. An overhook or an underhook of a fighter automatically results in an underhook or an overhook respectively of the opponent.
Efficient Judo video “Overhook Uchi-mata – Demo”:
The Dragon video “The Top Ten Double Underhook Moves In Wrestling History”:
Over-under position clinch
Here, both the fighters hold each other with one underhook and one overhook. Generally, the head is placed on the same side as the overhooked arm, so that additional weight can be placed on the opponent’s underhooked arm. This over-under clinch can be progressed into a pinch grip tie clinch.
Tristar Gym video “Clinch Takedown – Turning the Corner from Over Under Position – Firas Zahabi”:
Pinch grip tie clinch
Here, the over-under position clinch is extended by locking both the hands behind the opponent’s back. The hands may be locked in a palm-to-palm grip, or a fingers-to-fingers in a C-lock grip (also known as an S grip), or a palm-to-wrist grip. The pinch grip tie is effective to throw the opponent; however, this clinch can also be used to transition to a double underhooks or a double collar tie.
Wrestling University – Takedowns for Jiu Jitsu video “A Complete Throwing System | From a Greco-Roman Wrestling National Champion”:
Prime Wrestling System video “How to Throw a Headlock / Head and Arm in Wrestling – Pinch Headlock Series – Greco-Roman”:
Collar tie clinch
Here, the fighter grabs the collar, or behind the neck, or behind the trapezius muscle of the opponent. If one hand is used to grab, then it is known as a single collar tie, while if both hands are used, then it is known as a double collar tie. Another variation is known as a collar and elbow tie, where both fighters execute a single collar tie with one hand, while the other hand holds the opponent’s elbow.
YHM Global video “UFC, MMA- Daniel Cormier’s Collar Tie Clinch”:
Ramsey Dewey video “5 ways to clear double collar ties. Breaking the Muay Thai clinch”:
Howcast video “How to Do a Collar-and-Elbow Hold | Wrestling Moves”:
Bearhug or bodylock clinch
Here, the fighter wraps his arms around the opponent’s chest/ midsection/ thighs and holds it tightly to his own chest in double underhooks or double overhooks. Sometimes, one or both arms of the opponent may be pinned to the body of the opponent. Since the body of the opponent is locked, a bear hug is also known as a bodylock. A bear hug is an advantageous position for it enables to dominate the opponent. If the bear hug is executed from the front, then it is a front bear hug; and if it is executed from the rear, then it is a rear bear hug.
@pjhswrestling8843 video “Bear Hug takedown”:
Mojo video “WWE Bear Hug compilation”:
@heavenmeditation7862 video “Roman Reigns counters the bear hug!”Roman Reigns counters the bear hug!”:
Cary Kolat video “Wrestling Moves KOLAT.COM High Duck to Bear Hug”:
Howcast video “How to Get Out of a Front Bear Hug | Jiu Jitsu”:
Howcast video “How to Get Out of a Rear Bear Hug | Jiu Jitsu”:
Kevin Lee video “You Don’t Want To Get Body Slammed! 4 Ways To Escape A Bear Hug!”:
Conclusion
A clinch hold offers several advantages to stand-up fighters practicing standing striking arts like Taekwondo, Karate, Muay Thai, and more; however, since early times, clinches were mainly used in grappling arts like wrestling. In ancient Greek wrestling and Roman wrestling, which nowadays is known as Greco-Roman wrestling, clinches were an important part. In modern times, freestyle wrestling also features clinches. Besides wrestling, even in many ancient mixed martial arts, clinches were very much evident. For example, in Pankration, an ancient mixed martial art of Greece, the Greek statues of Pankration show extensive clinches combined with defensive or offensive techniques. Almost every striking or grappling martial art of the world, incorporates clinch holds in some way or the other. In order to further enhance our knowledge of clinches, let us conclude this article by taking a brief video tour of few different types of martial arts, both striking and grappling, with particular emphasis on how they apply clinches.
Clinch in Wrestling
TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian video “Basic CLINCH Bodylock Takedowns for EVERYONE!”:
Submission Radio video “Clinch Takedowns AGAINST STRONGER opponents – by UFC Lightweight Jake Matthews”:
nash man video “Randy Couture vol 1 Clinch Fighting”:
Greco-Roman wrestling and Freestyle wrestling
@forgegrappling video “The differences between Greco Roman and Freestyle Wrestling.”:
justin ruiz video “How to Arm Spin from a Clinch Position – Greco-Roman Wrestling Technique”:
Clinch in Pankration
Up4Education video “Pankration in 2 Minutes | Just The Basics”:
World Combat Games video “Pankration -84kg Men’s Finals”:
Clinch in Boxing
Fight your way Fit video “How to Clinch in Boxing (Step by Step for Beginners)”:
World Class Boxing Channel video “How To Get Out of A Clinch and Land a Punch”:
Clinch in MMA
Evolve Mixed Martial Arts video “MMA | An Introduction To Clinching In MMA”:
Howcast video “Cage Fighting Clinches & Dirty Boxing | MMA Fighting”:
Clinch in Muay Thai
fightTIPS video “Dominate the Muay Thai Clinch with Petchboonchu”:
MuayThai Gram video “5 Muay Thai Clinch Positions”:
Clinch in Lethwei
Born Warriors video “Lethwei: Clinching”:
Clinch in Karate
Karate Breakdown video “Karate Clinch Fighting – The Lost Skill #karate #martialarts #mma”:
Clinch in Taekwondo
Howcast video “How to Do Clinch Technique 1 | Taekwondo Training”:
Courtney Eardley video “Taekwondo Clinch EXPLAINED 🚨”:
Clinch in Jiu Jitsu / Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)
John Geyston’s Empowered Martial Arts & Jiu Jitsu video “The clinch basic Jiu Jitsu”:
The Fight Nerd video “Renzo Gracie’s easy clinch takedown”:
Clinch in Judo
kudoista video “Judo clinch with striking to set up throws”:
Skyhook Martial Arts & Fitness video “The Dos and Don’ts of Clinch Control and Takedowns”:
Clinch in Wing Chun
Adam Chan video “Counter Against the Clinch – Wing Chun, Kung Fu Report – Adam Chan”:
Clinch in Krav Maga
Mastro Defense System Warsaw video “ULTIMATE KRAV MAGA – clinch”:
KRAV MAGA video “Krav Maga Clinch Escape By Master Alain Cohen”:
Clinch in Sambo
Karate of Mansfield video “MMA Takedown from Clinch – Russian Sambo Wrestling”:
STORM Combat System video “Combat Sambo : from boxing defence to establish clinch position for takedown”:
Clinch in Daido Juku
QuietRain video “Clinch Techniques from Daido Juku”:
Clinch in Kudo
kudoista video “Kudo clinch #5: Arm triangle from the clinch”:
Clinch in Shooto
CSW Fullerton video “Shooto Clinch Drills for Fighting MMA”:
An animated clinch guide
IC4Games video “How To DOMINATE THE CLINCH in UFC 5 (CLINCH GUIDE) | EA SPORTS UFC 5”:
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