Become Fighter
Underhook battles and 2-on-1: Wrestling guide
Win the inside position, fight for the underhook and control an arm with a two-on-one.
Inside position decides most clinch exchanges. If your hands are inside theirs, you control their arms and chest. If theirs are inside yours, you are defending.
The underhook is the strongest single control: your arm under their armpit, your hand on their back or shoulder blade. A 2-on-1 uses both of your hands on one of their arms to pin it and steer them.
You already know the underhook from the foundation module. Here you learn to win it against resistance and what to do with it.
Key points
- Fight for your hands inside. Punch your hands between their arms before you grip.
- Underhook: dig your elbow deep, get your shoulder under their armpit and your head tight to theirs.
- Hips in, head up. Pressing your head into their shoulder takes the pressure off your own neck.
- 2-on-1: both hands wrap one wrist or tricep, pull it across and step to the outside.
- If they underhook you, whizzer or pummel back inside straight away.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Reaching over their arm. Reaching over leaves you with an overhook and gives them the underhook. Go inside.
- Pushing your head into their face. Put your forehead against theirs or against the shoulder. Do not use your head as a weapon.
- Pulling the 2-on-1 with straight arms. Bend your elbows and use your hips and legs to move them.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Clinch takedowns module of Wrestling foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Clinch takedowns
- Collar tie and wrist control: Wrestling guide
- Arm drag to the back: Wrestling guide
- Body lock and inside trip: Wrestling guide
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.