Hooks (grappling)
Encyclopedia
Hooks is a term in Grappling
Martial Arts
that generally refers to the use of careful positioning of a practitioner’s feet and legs to control and manipulate the movement or position of their opponent. The most common use of hooks is in the Back Mount
position to prevent escape. However, a practitioner may alternatively utilize hooks to defend, sweep
, or attack their opponent.
position where the practitioner applies hooks to his opponent's thighs until he opts to apply a submission from the back, a very commonly used submission is the Rear naked choke
. In some cases, hooks are utilized to apply the submissions itself, as with the Gogoplata
submission where the hook is applied to the opponent's throat as a choke.
position, sweeping their opponent as seen with the Butterfly guard, and using hooks to counter attack opponents.
situation) it is known as Underhook
(s) or Overhook
(s), depending on the position of the practitioner’s arm(s) in relation to their opponent’s arm(s).
Grappling
Grappling refers to techniques, maneuvers, and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage, such as improving relative position, escaping, submitting, or injury to the opponent. Grappling is a general term that covers techniques used in many disciplines, styles and martial...
Martial Arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
that generally refers to the use of careful positioning of a practitioner’s feet and legs to control and manipulate the movement or position of their opponent. The most common use of hooks is in the Back Mount
Back mount
Back mount, or rear mount, is a dominant ground grappling position where one combatant is behind the other in such a way that he or she is controlling the combatant in front. Typically, the combatant in the inferior position is lying face-down, while the other combatant is sitting or lying on top...
position to prevent escape. However, a practitioner may alternatively utilize hooks to defend, sweep
Sweep (martial arts)
A sweep is the name used for two categories of martial arts techniques. From standing, sweeps are throws or takedowns that primarily use the legs to attack an opponent's legs...
, or attack their opponent.
Uses
Hooks are a very important tool in the arsenal of a grappler, the effective use of the feet to manipulate the position of the opponent is essential to maintaining control. Both in offensive and defensive situations, locking in hooks gives an advantage of more points of contact with the opponent. This in turn increases the ability to impose submissions, and the ability to avoid them.Offense
Offensive uses of hooks include the control of an opponent until the application of a submission hold, as with the Back mountBack mount
Back mount, or rear mount, is a dominant ground grappling position where one combatant is behind the other in such a way that he or she is controlling the combatant in front. Typically, the combatant in the inferior position is lying face-down, while the other combatant is sitting or lying on top...
position where the practitioner applies hooks to his opponent's thighs until he opts to apply a submission from the back, a very commonly used submission is the Rear naked choke
Rear naked choke
The Rear naked choke is a chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back. Depending on the context, the term may refer to one of two variations of the technique, either arm can be used to apply the choke in both cases...
. In some cases, hooks are utilized to apply the submissions itself, as with the Gogoplata
Gogoplata
A gogoplata is a type of chokehold also called Kagato-Jime in Judo, that is used in grappling and was popularised by practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.-Execution:...
submission where the hook is applied to the opponent's throat as a choke.
Defense
The use of hooks in defense consists of the practitioner using their feet to limit the advancement of their opponent as with the Half guardHalf guard
Half guard, or alternatively half mount, is a ground grappling position where one combatant is lying on the other, with the bottom combatant having one leg entangled. Sometimes the bottom combatant is said to be in half guard, while the top combatant is in a half mount respectively. The half guard...
position, sweeping their opponent as seen with the Butterfly guard, and using hooks to counter attack opponents.
Positions and Applications
- Back / Rear MountBack mountBack mount, or rear mount, is a dominant ground grappling position where one combatant is behind the other in such a way that he or she is controlling the combatant in front. Typically, the combatant in the inferior position is lying face-down, while the other combatant is sitting or lying on top...
- Hooks are locked into opponent's mid-thighsThighIn humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and the knee. Anatomically, it is part of the lower limb.The single bone in the thigh is called the femur...
to prevent the opponent from escaping or reversing the position, hooks are also used in this position to add leverage to chokes. - MountMount (grappling)The mount, or mounted position, is a dominant ground grappling position, where one combatant sits on the other combatants torso with the face pointing towards the opponent's head. This is very favourable for the top combatant in several ways...
- Hooks are locked below the calves of the opponent to increase downward pressure, they are also used to help base to prevent sweeps. - Butterfly Guard - Butterfly hooks are locked in the inner thighThighIn humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and the knee. Anatomically, it is part of the lower limb.The single bone in the thigh is called the femur...
of opponent (see image), and are used to keep opponent off balance, also used to sweep opponent in order to advance to a more dominant position. Butterfly hooks are generally used in tandem with some combination of overhookOverhookAn overhook, also called a whizzer, is a clinch hold that is used to control the opponent. An overhook is performed from any direction by putting an arm over the opponent's arm, and encircling the opponents arm or upper body. Having an overhook with one arm is called a single overhook, while having...
and underhookUnderhookAn underhook is a grappling term for a clinch hold that is used to control the opponent. It is performed from any direction by putting an arm under the opponents arm, and holding the opponents midsection or upper body. Having an underhook with one arm is called a single underhook, while having...
to complete the butterfly guard. - Half guardHalf guardHalf guard, or alternatively half mount, is a ground grappling position where one combatant is lying on the other, with the bottom combatant having one leg entangled. Sometimes the bottom combatant is said to be in half guard, while the top combatant is in a half mount respectively. The half guard...
- Hooks are locked on one leg of the opponent to prevent them from advancing to full mountMount (grappling)The mount, or mounted position, is a dominant ground grappling position, where one combatant sits on the other combatants torso with the face pointing towards the opponent's head. This is very favourable for the top combatant in several ways...
or side controlSide controlSide control is a dominant ground grappling position where the top combatant is lying perpendicularly over the face-up bottom combatant in such a way that the legs are free and he or she exerts considerable control over the combatant on the bottom...
, generally a last defensive position before the opponent gains a dominate position, such as side controlSide controlSide control is a dominant ground grappling position where the top combatant is lying perpendicularly over the face-up bottom combatant in such a way that the legs are free and he or she exerts considerable control over the combatant on the bottom...
or full mount. - Open guard - Hooks are generally moving and are not locked as in other positions, can be in several different locations including, but not limited to crook of elbowElbowThe human elbow is the region surrounding the elbow-joint—the ginglymus or hinge joint in the middle of the arm. Three bones form the elbow joint: the humerus of the upper arm, and the paired radius and ulna of the forearm....
, hips, shinTibiaThe tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....
or calfCalf (anatomy)In human anatomy the calf is the back portion of the lower leg . In terms of muscle systems, the calf corresponds to the posterior compartment of the leg. Within the posterior compartment, the two largest muscles are known together as the calf muscle and attach to the heel via the Achilles tendon...
, ribcageHuman rib cage-See also:*Terms for bones*Terms for anatomical location*Articulation of head of rib-References:* Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 4th ed. Keith L. Moore and Robert F. Dalley. pp. 62–64...
, etc. In this position hooks are flexible and can look to sweep, prevent guard passes or block strikes. - Spider guard Hooks are generally locked against arms of opponent to prevent strikes and limit guard passing, sometimes used to set up shoulder and armlocksArmlockAn armlock in grappling is a single or double joint lock that hyperextends, hyperflexes or hyperrotates the elbow joint and/or shoulder joint. An armlock that hyperflexes or hyperrotates the shoulder joint is referred to as a shoulder lock, and an armlock that hyperextends the elbow joint is called...
. Spider guard also uses hooks to control other areas but this is the most common. - X-guard - Hooks are locked in opposition around one leg (creating the X shape for which the position is named), while the practitioner traps other leg with his arm. Hooks change position to sweep opponent in different directions, giving the practitioner the ability to vary his attacks and set up several different submission attempts.
Related Techniques
When the strategy of limiting the opponent’s movements is applied with the hands and arms rather than the feet and legs (generally in a Clinch fightingClinch fighting
Clinch fighting is the part of stand-up fighting where the combatants are grappling in a clinch, typically using clinch holds. Clinching the opponent can be used to eliminate the opponent's effective usage of some kicks, punches, and mêlée weapons...
situation) it is known as Underhook
Underhook
An underhook is a grappling term for a clinch hold that is used to control the opponent. It is performed from any direction by putting an arm under the opponents arm, and holding the opponents midsection or upper body. Having an underhook with one arm is called a single underhook, while having...
(s) or Overhook
Overhook
An overhook, also called a whizzer, is a clinch hold that is used to control the opponent. An overhook is performed from any direction by putting an arm over the opponent's arm, and encircling the opponents arm or upper body. Having an overhook with one arm is called a single overhook, while having...
(s), depending on the position of the practitioner’s arm(s) in relation to their opponent’s arm(s).
External links
- www.bjjlegends.com Marcelo Garcia - Taking the Back & controlling hooks
- submissions101.com Free Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling Videos
- bjj.org Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Information Site for jiu-jitsu students.
- List of Submissions for MMA Grappling holds and submissions used in Mixed Martial Arts. Each submission links to videos and step by step instruction.
- sherdog.com/mma-techniques Mixed Martial Arts Technique of the week from Sherdog.com