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Clinch fighting ortrapping is the part ofstand-up fighting where the combatants aregrappling in aclinch, typically usingclinch holds. Clinching the opponent can be used to eliminate the opponent's effective usage of somekicks,punches, and melee weapons. The clinch can also be used as a medium to switch from stand-up fighting toground fighting by usingtakedowns,throws orsweeps.
Clinch fighting is emphasized in bothstriking martial arts, such asMuay Thai,Lethwei,Boxing, andSanda, as well asgrappling martial arts, such asWrestling,Judo,Sumo,Sambo andBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Clinch fighting is the primary focus of manycombat sports such aswrestling and it is also a fundamental part ofamateur wrestling,sambo, Muay Thai,Lethwei andmixed martial arts. The nature of the clinch during fighting depends on the rules involved in the different sports. Muay Thai puts much emphasis onstrikes from the clinch, while judo focuses onthrows. The rule common to all these forms is the allowance for thegrappling necessary to form a clinch. Other combat sports likeboxing orTaekwondo only allow clinching for a short time or do not allow it at all. If clinching is disallowed, the clinching fighter will be issued a warning, or thereferee will restart the fight from a distance.
The clinch is a powerful tool for grapplers to advance into adominant position inground fighting, or is used for scoring points or winning a match such as agrand amplitude throw in amateur wrestling or anippon in judo. The type of techniques employed are heavily dependent on whether or not the participants are wearing clothing heavy enough to be grabbed and used to gain leverage or unbalance them to set up throws. In competitive environments examples of such clothing would be theDalian(Shuai Jiao Jacket),Judogi,Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi or theKurtka.
In competition where such clothing is being worn (almost exclusively referred to as a gi) there is a strong emphasis on grip fighting where the fighters will attempt to gain a dominant hold on the opponent's gi to unbalance and throw them. Examples of such competition would be judo, sambo or some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions although in BJJ there is frequently a division for both gi and no-gi competition.
In no-gi competition gettingdouble underhooks is generally considered advantageous, as the position can be used to perform throws ortakedowns. Being behind the opponent in such a position is known asgetting the back, and is generally considered even more advantageous, since it is harder for the opponent to defend from that position. A typical example of a technique that can be performed from this position is thesuplex.
While clinching, the position of a fighter's arms is vitally important. The fighter always tries to keep his arms on the inside of his opponent's, allowing him to press his elbows together building a tighter grip. The fighter attempts to always hold his hands in a "cupping" position.[1]
A multitude of striking techniques exist that can be used effectively from the clinch.Punching,elbows, andknee strikes in the clinch, also sometimes referred to as "dirty boxing", are an important aspect of Muay Thai,Bajiquan,Wing Chun, Lethwei and mixed martial arts.Elbows and short looping punches such ashooks anduppercuts can be used effectively from thesingle collar tie position. Although disallowed in many combat sports, in Lethwei, the use ofheadbutt is encouraged and can also be effectively used from the clinch. The short distance in the clinch nullifieskicking to some extent, but some kicks are still effective. InWing Chun, simultaneous grabs/traps at the elbows, wrists or behind the neck often open up a strike. In Muay Thai, thedouble collar tie is used to control an opponent whilekneeing to the head or midsection, andstomps are used in some mixed martial arts competitions to kick the feet of the opponent.
There are very fewsubmission holds that can be applied effectively from the clinch, without engaging inground fighting. The most well known submission hold is theguillotine choke, which can be attempted from asingle ordouble collar tie. Height is advantageous in applying the guillotine choke from the clinch, since sufficient leverage is needed. Other possible, but more rare submissions from the clinch are thearm triangle,rear naked choke, andEzekiel choke.
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