Double Belt Grip

The Double Belt Grip is a specific type of grip in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that involves controlling your opponent by grabbing their belt with both hands. This grip provides a strong connection to your opponent’s hips, giving you excellent control over their Center of Gravity and Base. It is often used for takedowns, guard passes, and positional control.

Key Features of the Double Belt Grip

Hand Placement

  • Both hands grip the opponent’s belt securely, typically on opposite sides of their hips.
  • Your fingers wrap tightly under the belt while your thumbs rest on top for maximum grip.

Hip Control

  • The grip focuses on controlling their hips, which directly affects their balance and movement.

Tight Connection

Uses in BJJ

Takedown Setups

  • The Double Belt Grip allows you to control their hips and Base, making it easier to execute takedowns like trips or Osoto Gari.
  • Particularly useful in gi competitions where the belt is a secure anchor point.

Guard Passing

  • In guard situations, the grip is used to lift, stack, or redirect your opponent’s hips to break their Guard or execute passes like the Stack Pass.

Control in Scrambles

  • Prevents your opponent from escaping or regaining posture during transitions.

Sweeps

  • Helps generate leverage for sweeps, especially when combined with leg movement and Angles.

Advantages

  • Provides direct control over the opponent’s Center of Gravity.
  • Limits their ability to move freely or generate offensive attacks.
  • Effective in both standing and ground-based exchanges.

Tips for Effective Use

Grip Placement

  • Grip the belt close to the opponent’s hips for maximum control. Avoid gripping too far forward, which can weaken your leverage.

Pull with Purpose

  • Use the grip to pull their hips toward you or redirect their weight to off-balance them.

Combine with Body Mechanics

  • Use your hips, Base, and Angles to enhance the grip’s effectiveness, particularly for sweeps and takedowns.

Adjust as Needed

  • Be ready to transition to other grips if the belt becomes loose or compromised during the match.

Common Mistakes

Loose Grip

  • A weak or shallow grip on the belt allows the opponent to break free or adjust their position.

Over-Reliance on the Grip

  • Focusing solely on the grip without engaging your legs and hips limits its effectiveness.

Poor Posture

  • Leaning too far forward while using the grip can expose you to sweeps or counters.

Ignoring Transitions

  • Holding the Double Belt Grip for too long without advancing can stall your progress and give your opponent time to counter.

Variations and Combinations

Double Belt Grip to Stack Pass

  • Use the grip to pull their hips upward, stacking their weight to pass their Guard.

Double Belt Grip and Trip

  • Combine the grip with foot sweeps or leg trips for effective takedowns.

Double Belt Grip to Back Take

  • Use the grip to control their hips while transitioning to Back Control.

Double Belt Grip with Lapel Control

  • Enhance control by combining the belt grip with a Lapel Grip to secure their posture further.

The Double Belt Grip is a powerful tool for controlling your opponent’s Base and movement, giving you the ability to dictate the pace and direction of the match. When paired with strong Pressure, Leverage, and Angles, it opens up numerous opportunities for takedowns, guard passes, and positional dominance.