Two-on-One Grip

The Two-on-One Grip is a highly effective control grip in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and grappling where you use both of your hands to control one of your opponent's arms. This grip provides superior leverage, restricts your opponent’s mobility, and opens up opportunities for sweeps, submissions, and positional advancements. It is particularly useful for disrupting your opponent's Base and posture.

Key Features of the Two-on-One Grip

Hand Placement

One hand grips the opponent’s wrist or sleeve, typically using a C-Grip or Pistol Grip.
The other hand grips just above the elbow, on the tricep, or sometimes on the fabric of the gi, depending on the situation.

Control Focus

Dominates their arm, preventing them from establishing grips, posting, or defending effectively.
Keeps their arm close to your body for maximum control.

Connection and Tightness

Maintain a strong Connection by pulling their arm close to your chest and keeping your elbows tight to your body.

Uses in BJJ

Grip Fighting

Neutralizes your opponent's ability to control your arms or establish dominant grips.
Allows you to strip their grips or counterattack.

Takedowns

Sets up techniques like the Arm Drag, Collar Drag Takedown, or Single-Leg Takedown by redirecting their arm and exposing angles.

Guard Work

From Closed Guard, Butterfly Guard, or De La Riva, the Two-on-One creates control points to set up sweeps like the Butterfly Sweep or Scissor Sweep.
Useful for isolating their arm to attack with submissions like the Armbar or Triangle Choke.

Positional Control

Disrupts their Posture and Base, forcing them to react defensively.
Can transition into back takes or advanced positions by controlling their arm and opening angles.

Advantages

Provides superior control over one of their arms, limiting their offensive and defensive options.
Creates opportunities to expose Angles and disrupt their Center of Gravity.
Versatile and applicable in gi, no-gi, and self-defense scenarios.

Tips for Effective Use

Strong Wrist Control

Use a secure grip on their wrist, applying consistent Pressure to prevent escapes.

Pull and Tighten

Pull their arm toward your chest and keep your elbows close to your body to maximize control.

Combine with Angles

Use your footwork, Hip Movement, or guard transitions to create Angles for sweeps, submissions, or takedowns.

Stay Dynamic

The Two-on-One is a transitional grip; always be ready to advance or adjust as opportunities arise.

Common Mistakes

Loose Grip

A weak or loose grip on the wrist or elbow allows your opponent to break free or counter.

Ignoring Posture

If you fail to control their posture, they may use their free arm to counterattack or regain position.

Overcommitment

Holding the grip too long without advancing can lead to stalled positions or loss of control.

Neglecting Opponent's Movement

Focusing solely on the grip without addressing their Base and Distance Management can allow them to recover or counter.

Variations and Combinations

Two-on-One Arm Drag

Use the grip to pull their arm across their body, creating an angle for back takes or sweeps.

Two-on-One Wrist to Shoulder Control

Transition from controlling the wrist to gripping behind their shoulder for setups like a Single-Leg Takedown or Duck Under.

Two-on-One to Submission

Use the grip to isolate their arm for submissions like the Kimura, Armbar, or Omoplata.

The Two-on-One Grip is a versatile tool that emphasizes Leverage and Problem Solving to gain control over your opponent’s movements and posture. By mastering this grip, you can neutralize their attacks, dictate the pace of the match, and open opportunities for offensive techniques.