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.
- 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.
- 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.