Clinch Structure

[Chad W. Getz]

So there is a striking thread and a submission thread going around already. I was wondering what kind of clinch structures do you guys work with. How do you guys train them, etc.

[Ryu (non-working password]

When I was younger, some guys and I would meet in a garage, put on "bag" gloves, and take turns trying to clinch the other as he literally tried to knock us out. Everything was full contact, and we had lots of injuries...(kinda dumb but a hell of a good reality experience) We would do it everyday for about a year or so.
Right now, I just spar occasionally to get the clinch "feel". I really think that with clinching, sparring is probably the only real way to get good experience. But the technical aspects of my clinch is either the basic "pawing" of the lead kick, fake, and go. Or parrying a blow and entering into a clinch, or you might even try a straightblast. That usually works right into the clinch.

Ryu

[Shimora]

Clinch fighting is a science of its own.
I find the clich itself isnt hard to get if you just rush in and clinch. Once in the clinch there are numerous arm locks and arm wraps for the taking. The greco roman underhook is probably my favorite way to hold the other guy.

Stomping to the knees and feet and oblique kicks to the shins work well in the clich also.

[Chop Wisby]

have y'all worked much w/ outside-line clinches, like the 2 on 1, or russian belt (waistband) grips?

[Evilution]

When I train the clinch we pretty much spar but often times remove the strikes just to work on position. We work the snap down into front headlock, underhooks and neck control to maneuver the opponent into position for knees, oblique kicks and uppercuts, arm drags and duck unders to take the back. It's similar to grappling BJJ just for position, because if you can't maintain position you can't submit and it's the same in the clinch. You first learn how to control the guy, create openings and break the opponent's balance. Once you can do that you the strikes and takedowns present themselves to you.

[War Pig]

Shimoron you're quite an expert for a guy who doesn't even train in martial arts.

[sccr06]

Like most of the others here my partners and I also practice mostly with sparring. One exercise that we have done works very well though. I forget the name of it but it is the one where you try to maintain your arms on the inside. For the most part you don't go for a takedown, just try to keep your arms inside and hooked in.
It is also a good arm workout.

[Badger]

Use lots of headbutts&kidney punches!




-Badger

[Underdog]

When training the clinch, we do the creco tie-up, put on our infamous sphinx caged helmet, and we try to pound ourselves as much as we can. Sometimes we go only for the head, other times we did all out.

[Chad W. Getz]

We do the same thing U-D, but with the Macho headgear. We also do a Greco clinch to MT clinch where one person tries to transition and the other tries to keep the curent structure. Positional clinching.

[Chop Wisby]

read this stuff.

[Evilution]

One of the things I like to do in the clinch is a move where I use backwards footwork to pull my opponent towards me as I move back. It's kinda like a snap-down and you can use it from a neck position or an underhook. The cool thing about it is if done correctly there is a split second where the opponent is off balance and stumbling foward. For a moment there will be nothing he can do but recover and try to regain his balance. If his balance is broken he can't attack or defend effectively, he can only recover. You use that split second of vunerability to apply an easy strike or take down. It's especially good for strikes because the backwards footwork creates the distance you need to strike.

The footwork is essential though, you have to know how to get your body into it to really jerk the guy off his feet almost. It's works best against guys who want to come directly at you. If they want to push forward, well I'll pull em forward, not going against them but with them, using their strength against them. Then from a control position I'll break their balance and then apply a strike or takedown.

Pretty much, if you have a control position and you can break the guy's balance then he's gonna be an easy target. Anyone else got any tips or tricks?

[Underdog]

Yeah, exactly!

We call it the "waltzer step", it's a greco roman snapdown, and immediately after the guy is off balance you can strike or do a thai clinch and jerk the guy sideways, if done with the right timing you'll end throwing your partner to the ground.


Also, in the greco-clinch, if the partner try to strike you from the elbow tie-up, usually it'll be a hook; overhook his arm and from then HEADBUTTS!

[Evilution]

Waltzer step huh? That's a good name for it. And speaking of dance steps, try stepping on your opponents foot in the clinch to momentarily immobolize them. I've seen quite a few guys (myself included) trip in the clinch after having their foot stepped on.

[Chad W. Getz]

James, one of my training partners, likes to push his knee into the side of your knee, momentarily breaking the guys balance. This can become irratating, plus it takes you off of the offensive to re-adjust our footwork.