Collar Tie

The Collar Tie is a fundamental grip in grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu used to control the upper body of an opponent. It involves gripping the back of the opponent’s neck or the base of their head with one hand while maintaining a strong posture and engaging in Grip Fighting. This grip is versatile for both offensive and defensive strategies and is often seen in wrestling and no-gi situations.

Key Features of the Collar Tie

Hand Placement

  • The hand cups the back of the opponent's neck or the base of their skull, with the fingers wrapping over the top.

Elbow Position

  • The elbow stays close to your body to maintain a strong frame and prevent counters.

Posture

  • Keep your own head level or slightly below your opponent's, maintaining a strong Base and Posture.

Uses in BJJ

Control

  • The Collar Tie is a powerful way to control your opponent’s head, dictating their posture and movement.

Takedown Setups

Offense

  • Creates openings for strikes (in MMA) or setups for submissions and transitions.

Defense

  • Blocks your opponent’s attempts to establish grips or secure Underhooks.

Advantages

  • Provides dominant upper-body control.
  • Limits your opponent’s ability to maintain Posture and Angles.
  • Creates openings for setups and attacks while hindering their offensive options.

Tips for Effective Use

Head Position

  • Keep your forehead or temple close to the opponent’s head or jaw to establish a dominant position and maintain Pressure.

Engage Your Whole Body

  • Use your legs, hips, and shoulders to apply pressure, not just your arm.

Combine with Movement

  • Pull their head downward while circling or angling to off-balance them and create opportunities for attack.

Maintain Tightness

  • Avoid leaving space between your hand and their neck to prevent escapes.

Common Mistakes

Overreaching

  • Extending your arm too far makes the grip weak and exposes you to counters like arm drags or Underhooks.

Poor Head Position

  • Keeping your head upright or away from theirs leaves you vulnerable to takedowns or strikes.

Weak Frame

  • Allowing your elbow to flare out reduces control and makes it easier for the opponent to break the grip.

Stationary Use

  • Failing to combine the Collar Tie with footwork or Angles limits its effectiveness.

Variations and Combinations

Double Collar Tie

Collar Tie to Underhook

  • Transitioning from the Collar Tie to an Underhook for better control and leverage.

Collar Tie and Arm Drag

  • Pulling their arm across while controlling their head to set up sweeps, takedowns, or back takes.

By mastering the Collar Tie, you gain a tool to dominate the center line, control your opponent’s Base, and set up attacks with precision and Leverage. It’s a key element of any grappler’s toolkit in both offensive and defensive scenarios.