aliases:
  - underhook
  - Underhook
  - Underhook Grip
  - Underhook Grips
  - Underhook Control

Underhooks

The Underhooks grip is a dominant control position in grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where your arm is placed under your opponent's arm, allowing you to control their upper body and manipulate their posture, Center of Gravity, and movement. Underhooks are a fundamental tool for both offensive and defensive strategies, providing opportunities for takedowns, sweeps, positional advancements, and submissions.

Key Features of Underhooks

Arm Placement

Your arm threads under your opponent’s arm, with your hand either gripping their body, wrapping around their torso, or staying active to block their posture.

Control Focus

Single Underhook

One arm is under their arm, useful for maintaining control or setting up attacks.

Double Underhooks

Both arms are under their arms, giving you full upper-body control and leverage.

Head Position

Your head is positioned lower than theirs, keeping tight to their body to maintain Pressure and prevent counters.

Tight Connection

Stay close to their body to minimize space and maintain a strong Connection.

Uses in BJJ

Takedowns

Setups for techniques like the Body Lock Takedown, Double-Leg Takedown, and inside or outside trips.

Guard Work

From Half Guard or Butterfly Guard, underhooks are essential for controlling their posture and setting up sweeps like the Butterfly Sweep.
Prevents your opponent from flattening you or establishing Crossface pressure.

Positional Control

Helps maintain control during transitions to dominant positions like Back Control or Side Control.
Keeps your opponent from regaining posture or advancing.

Sweeps and Escapes

Essential for sweeps like the Coyote Sweep or transitions from bottom positions using techniques like the Underhook Escape.

Advantages

Provides superior control of the opponent’s posture and Center of Gravity.
Opens up a variety of offensive options, including sweeps, submissions, and transitions.
Limits your opponent’s ability to counter or establish their own grips or Frames.

Tips for Effective Use

Stay Tight

Keep your underhook snug and connected to their body to prevent counters like a Whizzer or pummeling for their own Underhooks.

Head Position

Position your head under theirs or against their chest to maintain dominance and block their ability to escape.

Use Your Hips

Combine the underhook with proper Hip Movement to off-balance your opponent or create space for transitions.

Angle Creation

Use your underhook to pivot or circle to an advantageous angle, making it harder for your opponent to defend.

Common Mistakes

Shallow Underhook

A weak or Shallow Underhook can be countered easily with a Whizzer or arm drag.

Poor Head Position

Keeping your head too high or out of position makes you vulnerable to counters like guillotines or Snap-Down to Front Headlock.

Overcommitting

Driving too far forward without maintaining a strong Base can lead to sweeps or takedown counters.

Neglecting Pressure

Failing to apply consistent Pressure reduces the effectiveness of the grip and allows your opponent to escape.

Variations and Combinations

Single Underhook

Used to create space, transition to the back, or set up sweeps and takedowns.

Double Underhooks

Full upper-body control for securing takedowns, positional control, or passes.

Underhook to Overhooks

If your opponent counters with a Whizzer, use it to set up sweeps or transitions.

Underhook with Crossface

Combine the underhook with a crossface for additional control and pressure during guard passes or top control.

The Underhooks grip is a versatile and essential skill in grappling, providing control, opportunities for attack, and positional dominance. By mastering Angles, Leverage, and proper Pressure with underhooks, you gain a powerful tool for dictating the flow of a match and neutralizing your opponent’s movements.