Grips

What it is

Grips are the handles you use to control an opponent: in the gi, collars, sleeves and trouser legs; without it, wrists, necks and underhooks. The grip fight decides who gets to start their technique, which is why experienced players strip a grip before they do anything else. A grip is never the goal; it is the handle that lets the technique happen.

Where it shows up

• Standing: the first exchange of every round is a fight over collars, sleeves and wrists.
• Open guard: grips on the sleeves and ankles are what keep the passer in front of you.
• Passing: breaking their grips first, then taking your own on the legs or the collar.
• Submissions: a choke starts with a grip deep in the collar; an armbar starts with control of the wrist.

Key details

• Strip before you grip. Break their grip first, then take your own.
• Grip with purpose. Every grip should lead to a sweep, a pass or a submission; a grip with no plan just tires your forearms.
• Hold with the fingers and the hand, but move with the hips and legs. The grip connects; the body does the work.
• Keep the elbows close when you grip. Grips with the elbows flared get stripped and leave the arms open.
• Break grips with the whole body: circle the arm, step away, or use two hands on one.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: gripping everything you can reach. Your forearms burn out and the opponent waits for it.
• Mistake: fighting for a technique while they hold a grip on you. The grip stops the move before it starts.
• Mistake: holding a grip with a straight arm. They armbar or kimura the arm you are gripping with.

What they will try

• Grip breaking: circling the wrist out, pushing the hand off with two hands, or stepping to change the angle.

Gi and no-gi

Without the gi there is nothing to hold onto, so grips become wrist control, the back of the neck (collar tie), underhooks and overhooks. Grips slip more easily, so you hold for a shorter time and move sooner.