Barron Shepherd Judo: Progressive Grip Fighting

A lot of people who start judo want to start off in judo learning it's big and fancy looking throws. Trying to throw an experienced grappler or judoka is extremely difficult without knowing how to fight to get your grip. Grip fighting is an art in itself and most importantly a fundamental part of judo that is worth learning. It requires serious time in training and if you don’t put the time into this, you won’t progress very far with your throws.

Grip fighting is ultimately the act of grabbing your opponent's gi where YOU desire without letting the opponent get the grip(s) he wants in such a way that prevents you from attacking. The more effective your grip fighting the more you create opportunities to set up AND enter into your throws. 

Have a grip fighting strategy

Be aggressive in getting your grip. Always try to get your hands on your opponent first and get the dominant grip. Don’t fight on his terms and don’t let him have the better grip or tie up. Be specific with getting your grip it should lead to something. Your throw flows naturally from your grip. Make sure the grip you use works best for the throw you want to use.

Grip fighting means just that "grip fighting!" Don’t change your stance stand your ground and fight for the grip you want. Be fast - Be ballistic - Be explosive. Think boxing - punch in your grips like a boxer, you can use combinations, you can feint and you can even parry you opponent's grip attempts in the same manner a boxer parries punches.

If you can’t get the dominant grip, try to break his grip and counter with your own grip

Get the first grip

A judo throw requires the establishment of a strong grip. An offensive gripping strategy can help keep the opponent or adversary on their heels both literally and figuratively. Not having a solid plan for your grips can leave you vulnerable and at the mercy of your opponent.

Arm pit grip (waki)

Outside of Japan the arm pit grip is a pretty rare gripping method. Some of the great Japanese judo players have used this grip successfully in their offensive arsenal. Gripping the folds of the cloth at the area of arm pit is extremely versatile. It provides incredible defense and distance control.

Blue inserts the fingers of his left hand into the fold of the gi just above the opponent’s arm pit. Grip the gi with primarily the bottom three fingers of your left hand and drive the pinky finger into the opponents chest and turn the hand over slightly clockwise palm down.

The arm pit grip is very useful in blocking an opponent’s attacks, restricting his movements and keeping him at a safe distance. It is extremely effective in a right vs right situation or an opposite stance, right vs. left situation (Kenka Yotsu). It helps control his arm making it harder for him to put his hand down to block a throw, it also keeps him from reaching over the top of your shoulder. In the one-handed judo style you have the added benefit of the opponent not feeling threatened by only a single grip. Unlike a pull on the sleeve or the lapel pulling at the armpit is a much shorter pull.

Right vs Right – Punching in your grip

A right vs right situation refers to both players being right-handed meaning the majority of their throws will be to the right side. In a right vs. right situation (pictured) your right shoulder should be more toward your rear. The right hand is held further back and away from your opponent and not out front and easily accessible for your opponent to grip and attack.  Your left hand or the gripping hand is active and offensive. Your right hand or rear hand is ready and active as well to defend against your opponent’s gripping attacks and can be used for feints to set up your throw.

1.) Stand with the right foot forward. The knees should be bent and center of gravity low. Feet are shoulder width apart. Twist your upper body clockwise bringing your left hand and shoulder to the front closer to your opponent. Your left hand is primarily your attacking hand and should be positioned closer to your opponent. The right hand acts primarily as the defensive hand.

2.) Much like delivering a jab in boxing, punch in with your left hand and grip your opponent’s gi right above the armpit. Your right hand is up and defending any attempts by the opponent to get his grip.

Grip fighting is Boxing!!!

Grip fighting in judo is a fairly recent development. There is great value in getting and preventing grips. Grip fighting, used aggressively, creates multiple opportunities to set up your throws and takedowns. Some Modern Olympic elite level judo competitors look like boxers, circling each other while jabbing and probing their opponent's defenses, countering the opponent's grip attempts and punching their hands in for a perfect grip. 

Grip fighting represents the very highest levels of competition however, at the lower levels of competition judo and in judo clubs around the world grip fighting isn't  really seen or even practiced. The approach of a no grip fighting style of judo is still very, very much predominant. 

Dont let the opponent get his grip

Another important detail in grip fighting is don’t be so focused on getting your grip that you allow the opponent to get their grips. 

Parrying the opponent’s grip attempt and counter gripping

As stated earlier in a right on right situation your attacking hand is primarily your left hand and the right hand is primarily your defensive hand. Look to counter your opponent’s grip attempts with the right or rear hand.

Outside Parry

1.) Blue is standing in a right foot forward. Both of his arms are bent and both hands are held at chest level. The left hand is held slightly in front of his right hand positioned closer to white.  White is standing right foot forward lead.

2.) White attempts to get a lapel or collar grip with his right hand. Blue turns his upper body slightly to his left as he parries white’s attacking hand to the outside with his right hand as he shuffles forward slightly.

3.) As if throwing a lead straight punch or a jab in boxing blue shuffles forward and punches his in grip, rocking white backwards and gripping him at the front of white’s gi just above the arm pit.

Inside Parry

1.) Blue is standing in a right foot forward. Both of his arms are bent and both hands are held at chest level. The left hand is held slightly in front of his right hand positioned closer to white.  White is standing right foot forward lead.

2.) White attempts to get a lapel or collar grip with his left hand. Blue turns his upper body slightly to his left as he parries white’s attacking hand to the inside with his right hand as he shuffles forward slightly.

3.) As if throwing a lead straight punch or a jab in boxing blue shuffles forward and punches his in grip, rocking white backwards and gripping him at the front of white’s gi just above the arm pit.

Double Parry

1.) Blue is standing in a right foot forward. Both of his arms are bent and both hands are held at chest level. The left hand is held slightly in front of his right hand positioned closer to white.  White is standing right foot forward lead.

2.) White attempts to get a lapel or collar grip with his left hand. Blue turns his upper body slightly to his left as he parries white’s attacking hand to the inside with his right hand as he shuffles forward slightly.

3.) White attempts to get a lapel or collar grip with his right hand. Blue turns his upper body slightly to his left as he parries white’s attacking hand to the outside with his right hand as he shuffles forward slightly. After the parry punch in counter grip as shown in inside and outside parries. 

 

Lead Hand Inside Parry to Lead Hand Counter Grip

Though the left or lead hand is primarily the attacking hand and the right or rear hand is primarily used defensively that doesn’t mean their roles cant be switched.

1.) Blue is standing in a right foot forward. Both of his arms are bent and both hands are held at chest level. The left hand is held slightly in front of his right hand positioned closer to white.  White is standing right foot forward lead.

2.) White attempts to get a lapel or collar grip with his right hand. Blue turns his upper body slightly to his right as he parries white’s attacking hand to the inside with his left hand.

3.) As if throwing a lead straight punch or a jab in boxing blue shuffles forward and punches his left hand in to grip, rocking white backwards and gripping him at the front of white’s gi just above the arm pit.

Lead Hand Inside Parry to Rear Hand Counter Grip

1.) Blue is standing in a right foot forward. Both of his arms are bent and both hands are held at chest level. The left hand is held slightly in front of his right hand positioned closer to white.  White is standing right foot forward lead.

2.) White attempts to get a lapel or collar grip with his right hand. Blue turns his upper body slightly to his right as he parries white’s attacking hand to the inside with his left hand.

3.) As if throwing a lead straight punch or a jab in boxing blue shuffles forward and punches his left hand in to grip, rocking white backwards and gripping him at the front of white’s gi just above the arm pit.