Hooks is a term ingrapplingmartial 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. One of the most common uses of hooks is in theback control position to prevent escape.[1] However, a practitioner may alternatively use hooks to defend,sweep, or attack their opponent.
Hooks are very important tools in the arsenal of a grappler. The effective use of the feet to manipulate the position of the opponent is essential to maintaining control of one's opponent. 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.
Offensive uses of hooks include the control of an opponent until the application of a submission hold, as with theBack mount 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 theRear naked choke. In some cases, hooks are used to apply the submissions itself, as with theGogoplata submission where the hook is applied to the opponent's throat as a choke.
The use of hooks in defense consists of the practitioner using their feet to limit the advancement of their opponent as with theHalf guard position, sweeping their opponent as seen with theButterfly guard, and using hooks to counterattack opponents.
Judoka using butterfly guard during training. Notice the use ofbutterfly hooks on inside of thighs
Back / Rear mount - Hooks are locked into opponent'smid-thighs to prevent the opponent from escaping or reversing the position, hooks are also used in this position to add leverage to chokes.
Full mount - 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 innerthigh of opponent, and are used to keep opponent off balance. They also can be used to sweep an opponent, in order to advance to a more dominant position. Butterfly hooks are generally used in tandem with some combination ofoverhooks and/orunderhooks to secure thebutterfly guard.
Half guard - Hooks are locked on one leg of the opponent to prevent them from advancing tofull mount orside control, generally a last defensive position before the opponent gains a dominant position, such as side control or full mount.
Open guard - Hooks are generally moving and are not locked as in other positions, can be in several locations including, but not limited to, crook of theelbow, thehips,shin orcalf,ribcage of the opponent, etc. In this position hooks are flexible and aid the practitioner in attempting sweeps, preventing guard passes or blocking strikes.
Spider guard Hooks are generally locked against arms of opponent to prevent strikes and limit guard passing, sometimes used to set upshoulder andarmlocks. Spider guard also uses hooks to control other areas but this is one of 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 the other leg with his arm. Hooks change position to sweep the opponent in different directions, giving the practitioner the ability to vary his attacks and set up several submission attempts.
When the strategy of limiting the opponent’s movements is applied with the hands and arms rather than the feet and legs, generally in aClinch fighting situation, it is referred to asUnderhook(s) orOverhook(s), depending on the position of the practitioner’s arm(s) in relation to their opponent’s arm(s).
^Gracie, Renzo; John Danaher (2003).Mastering Jujitsu. Versa Press, Human Kinetics Books. p. 136.ISBN978-0-7360-4404-2.In this position, your legs and feet serve a crucial role: They lock you into place, functioning as hooks that enable you to ride your opponent no matter which way he rolls and moves.
.jpg)
.jpg)
