Single Lapel Grip

The Single Lapel Grip is a foundational grip in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that involves using one hand to grip your opponent's lapel. This grip provides control over their upper body and posture, allowing you to set up sweeps, submissions, and positional advancements. It is versatile in both standing and ground scenarios and works well when combined with other grips or attacks.

Key Features of the Single Lapel Grip

Hand Placement

Your fingers grip the inside of the opponent’s lapel, while your thumb rests on the outside.
The grip is usually placed near their collarbone, chest, or neck, depending on the purpose.

Control

Focuses on controlling one side of your opponent’s upper body.
Can disrupt their posture and limit their movement.

Versatility

Effective in gi scenarios, with applications in guard play, takedowns, and submissions.

Uses in BJJ

Posture Control

From positions like Closed Guard or Butterfly Guard, the grip helps pull your opponent forward to break their Posture and open opportunities for attacks.

Guard Retention

In Open Guard, the grip can control their upper body, preventing them from passing or posturing up.

Sweeps

Essential for sweeps like the Scissor Sweep, Balloon Sweep, or Flower Sweep, where the lapel grip helps direct their balance.

Submissions

Sets up gi chokes like the Cross Collar Choke, Loop Choke, or Bow and Arrow by maintaining control of their posture and alignment.

Standing Control

In stand-up situations, the grip is used to manage Distance Management, disrupt their balance, and set up takedowns or trips.

Advantages

Provides quick and effective control over one side of the opponent's upper body.
Creates opportunities for sweeps, submissions, and transitions.
Limits the opponent’s ability to move or posture effectively.

Tips for Effective Use

Grip Depth

Adjust the depth of the grip based on your goal:
A shallow grip (near the collarbone) for general control.
A deeper grip (near the neck) for submissions like the Cross Collar Choke.

Combine with Movement

Use the grip in conjunction with Hip Movement, Frames, and Angles to maximize its effectiveness.

Stay Active

Don’t rely solely on the grip; combine it with other attacks or grips to stay dynamic.

Tension Control

Apply consistent pressure with the grip to disrupt your opponent’s posture while keeping enough slack for quick transitions.

Common Mistakes

Weak or Loose Grip

A loose grip allows your opponent to break it or regain posture easily.

Overcommitment

Focusing too much on the grip without advancing your position can lead to stalling or counters.

Ignoring Angles

Failing to use Angles and body positioning reduces the grip’s effectiveness.

Grip Fatigue

Over-squeezing or holding the grip for too long without progressing can tire your hands unnecessarily.

Variations and Combinations

Single Lapel Grip to Cross Collar Grip

Transition to a deeper Cross Collar Grip for submission setups.

Single Lapel Grip with Sleeve Control

Combine the grip with a Spider Guard Sleeve Grip or C-Grip Sleeve Grip to control their upper and lower body simultaneously.

Single Lapel Grip for Takedowns

Use the grip to manipulate their posture and balance while executing trips like Osoto Gari or throws.

Single Lapel Grip in Guard

Pair with leg positioning (e.g., in De La Riva or Butterfly Guard) to sweep or off-balance the opponent.

The Single Lapel Grip is a versatile and essential tool in gi-based Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It provides strong Control, disrupts the opponent’s Posture, and creates opportunities for both offensive and defensive techniques. Mastering this grip allows you to maintain control, dictate the flow of the match, and set up effective attacks and transitions.