Wrestling Grips

What Are Wrestling Grips?

Wrestling grips can range from basic hand holds to complex “locks” and holds. Generally speaking, they are used to gain control over an opponent by providing stability and leverage during a match. They can be employed in both offensive and defensive situations, allowing wrestlers the ability to create openings for pins, takedowns, and throws.

Types of Wrestling Grips

There are several types of wrestling grips, all of which provide different benefits.

Gable Grip

This is the most basic of all grips, and it consists of both wrestlers interlocking their hands behind the back. It’s a good grip to start with, as it provides stability and balance. It’s also a great foundation for transitioning into other moves.

How It Can Help You Gain an Edge Over Your Opponent?

Gable grips can help you gain an edge over your opponent by providing stability, leverage, and control. With this grip, you can create openings for takedowns, pins, and throws. It also allows you to control your opponent’s movements while they are to escape or counter the grip.

Additionally, it can be used to place pressure on your opponent and make them uncomfortable, allowing you to capitalize on their mistakes. Finally, the gable grip can also help you break away from your opponent’s hold, as it gives you a bit of space to move and maneuver.

Butterfly Grip

The butterfly grip is similar to the gable grip, except it involves interlocking both hands in front of the body. It’s a good grip to use when you’re in a defensive position and need to control your opponent’s movements. It also provides an opportunity to transition into other moves and holds.

How It Can Help You Gain an Edge Over Your Opponent?

Similar to the gable grip, the butterfly grip can help you gain an edge over your opponent by providing stability, leverage, and control. It also helps to prevent your opponent from breaking away from your grip and can be used to create openings for takedowns, pins, and throws.

Additionally, it allows you to control your opponent’s movements while they are to escape or counter the grip. Finally, it can help you break away from your opponent’s hold, as it gives you a bit of space to move and maneuver.

Guillotine Grip

The guillotine grip involves interlocking both hands around the neck of your opponent, with one hand holding the back and the other in front. It’s an effective grip for preventing your opponent from escaping or countering a move, as well as creating openings for takedowns and pins.

How It Can Help You Gain an Edge Over Your Opponent?

The guillotine grip can help you gain an edge over your opponent by providing leverage and control. It also prevents your opponent from breaking away from your grip, as it puts pressure on their neck. Additionally, it can help you break away from your opponent’s hold, as it gives you a bit of space to move and maneuver.

Pretzel Grip

The pretzel grip is a more advanced type of grip that involves interlocking both hands at the wrist and is mostly used in BJJ and MMA. In this grip, the choking hand should be placed on the opponent’s chest with its palm facing up and its thumb pointing downwards. It’s a good grip to use in submission holds and can be used to maintain control over your opponent.

How It Can Help You Gain an Edge Over Your Opponent?

Similar to the other grips, the pretzel grip can help you gain an edge over your opponent by providing stability, leverage, and control. It also helps to prevent your opponent from breaking away and submitting your opponent. Moreover, it can be powerfully employed as a form of self-defense, capable of breaking arms and shoulders if applied with enough force.

S Grip

The S grip is another advanced type of grip that involves interlocking both hands around the back and neck of your opponent. Although not as modifiable as other grips, it is highly effective in the clinch. From this strategic position, fighters can employ the grip to perform double-leg takedowns and suplexes, along with various lifting techniques.

On the mat, this grip is primarily used for chokes like the Peruvian necktie and north-south choke. Keeping those hands intertwined requires more finger strength than other holds, but it gives you greater control of your opponent’s body. The ‘S’ shape created by clasping your fingers together allows you to cover a larger surface area while still keeping them under wraps.

How It Can Help You Gain an Edge Over Your Opponent?

The S grip can help you submit your opponent more effectively, as it allows you to cover larger areas while still keeping a tight grip on your opponent. Additionally, it helps to keep your opponent from escaping or countering the hold.

Nelson Grip

The Nelson grip is a popular grip used in wrestling, judo, and jiu-jitsu. This grip involves locking both hands together while placing one hand at the back of your opponent’s head and the other in front of their chest. This grip is considered to be a very powerful grip and can be used to control your opponent’s movements while setting up takedowns.

How It Can Help You Gain an Edge Over Your Opponent?

As the Nelson grip can be helpful even for self-defense against a standing opponent, with it, you cannot accomplish decisive actions such as pinning an opponent, executing a reliable submission hold, or inflicting effective strikes.

Ball and Socket Grip

The Ball and Socket grip is an invaluable tool due to its versatility; it works for grapplers of all shapes and sizes. You can modify the position along your hand/forearm, allowing you to bridge any gap required. In addition, transitioning from this grip to other basic ones is quick and easy.

How It Can Help You Gain an Edge Over Your Opponent?

The ball and socket grip is ideal for controlling your opponent’s body while setting up submissions. It also gives you a good base to maintain a dominant position, as it allows you to move your body around and keep your opponent in place.

Monkey Grip

The monkey grips is an offense technique – elbow to elbow drop – used in many wrestling styles as well as Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In this grip, as soon as the opponent tries to attack, the goal is to bounce the legs back in order to escape, in what is somewhat reminiscent of a “monkey” jump.

While jumping the legs back, the hands must be placed under the opponent’s armpits in order to control him and move him to the ground position.

How It Can Help You Gain an Edge Over Your Opponent?

The monkey grip allows you to avoid an attack, keep your opponent off-balance, and take the fight to a more advantageous position.

Greco-Roman Wrestling Grips

The Greco-Roman Wrestling Grips are a set of specialized grips mainly used in the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling. These grips are often used to turn an opponent’s body, control them on the ground, and set up throws or takedowns. The most common grips are the over hook, under hook, and two-on-one.

How It Can Help You Gain an Edge Over Your Opponent?

The Greco-Roman Wrestling Grips are great tools to control your opponent’s body and set up throws or takedowns. The two-on-one grip is especially effective, as it allows you to control both of your opponent’s arms and keep them from defending against your attack.

Learn Wrestling Grips

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grappler, understanding and practicing different grips can give you an edge over your opponents. In order to learn the various grips, you should practice them in a safe and controlled environment with someone who has experience in wrestling.

The most recommended way is no doubt by joining a wrestling class, where you can learn from experienced coaches who can provide the necessary support and guidance.

There are no easy ways to master the various wrestling grips, as it’s extremely important to make these techniques correctly under guidance (at the beginning at least) in order to avoid wrestling injuries and maximize your effectiveness on the mat.

How Can I Practice Grips at Home?

Yes, you can practice the grips at home by repeating what you learn in your wrestling class or by watching an online class. You should focus on proper form and technique while practicing the different grips.

Practicing wrestling workouts at home is recommended, but you better gain some experience in the presence of a coach or experienced grappler, or even a team, as having some wrestling sparring with a partner is a great way to improve your skills.

How Can I Improve My Wrestling Grip?

The key is to practice regularly and be patient; you will eventually gain more confidence and become a better grappler. As mentioned, wrestling workouts are a great way to improve your grip and stamina.

Besides that, you can also warm up by using resistance bands or lifting weights to help strengthen your grip. Finally, you should also pay attention to your diet and stay hydrated. This will ensure that you have the energy to perform at your best on the mat.

Improving your wrestling skills should be an ongoing process, and by consistently incorporating the best practices in your training sessions, you can become a better wrestler and gain an edge over your opponents.

FAQs

What are the best grips for wrestling?

The best grips for wrestling depend on the style of wrestling and your body type, but some of the most common ones are the Gable over hook, under hook, and two-on-one.

What is an illegal grip in wrestling?

An illegal grip in wrestling is any grip that attempts to control an opponent’s body or restricts their movement. This includes holding onto clothing, hair, or any other part of the body that is not allowed in a wrestling match.

What is the most popular wrestling grip called?

The most popular wrestling grip is known as Gable

Do wrestlers have a strong grip?

Yes, wrestlers have very strong grips as they must be able to control their opponents with a secure hold. Wrestlers must develop and maintain grip strength in order to be successful on the mat. Regular grip training is essential for wrestlers and can involve using resistance bands or lifting weights.