Oklahoma State Cowboy Elbow Control Tricks
0
Standard Inside Elbow Control·FloWrestling·Added by Admin
Mike Mal goes behind the dirt to break down John Smith and Oklahoma State's elbow control technique. Watch FloWrestling…
Standard Inside Elbow Control
Genusスタンダード内肘制御(Sutandādo Uchi Hiji Seigyo)
HybridTranslation: standard inside elbow control
Overview
The Standard Inside Elbow Control positions the attacker's hand on the inside of the opponent's elbow, cupping the joint and using it as a steering handle to redirect the opponent's arm and prevent them from achieving inside position. [1] The grip is maintained with the fingers wrapped around the inner elbow crease, thumb on the outside, allowing the controller to push, pull, or circle the opponent's arm. [1],[2] This position is a starting point for many clinch transitions — from here the attacker can swim to an underhook, execute an arm drag, or pummel for better position. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The standard inside elbow control grip places one hand on the inner bend of the opponent's elbow, providing leverage to redirect their arm and create throwing or striking angles. [1]
Lineage
This grip is a fundamental component of judo's kumi-kata system and is taught from the earliest stages of training. [1]
Competition Record
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Establishing body-to-body connection through underhooks, overhooks, or collar ties to control the opponent's movement
Joints Involved — Attacker's shoulders (driving position), hips (base and drive), opponent's upper body (restricted)
Force Vector — Forward pressure and angular positioning — inside position (underhooks) creates offensive advantage
Control Mechanic — Chest-to-chest pressure combined with inside ties limits the opponent's ability to create distance or attack
Position & Entry
From clinch range — Swim the arm under the opponent's arm to secure the underhook, drive the shoulder into their chest for inside position
From hand fighting — During grip exchanges, drop the arm and swim inside to win the underhook battle
Variants
Single underhook — one arm inside for angle and control
Double underhooks — both arms inside for maximum inside position
Underhook with collar tie — combining the underhook with head control
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Arm control positions limit opponent's offense; low direct injury risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
WBC/Boxing — Holding is technically a foul — referee breaks clinch, excessive holding results in point deduction {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
K-1/GLORY — One attack from clinch allowed, then referee breaks {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— WAKO — Clinch generally broken by referee — limited or no...
WAKO Competition RulesPDFLegal
— Unified MMA — Legal — clinching is integral to MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— grip fighting
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— IBJJF — Legal — standing grip fighting and clinch work pe...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IFMA — Legal — the clinch is a core element of Muay Thai,...
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF— UWW — Legal — clinch is fundamental to wrestling, the pri...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFTraining Notes
✓Place your palm on the inside of the opponent's elbow crook — thumb on top, fingers underneath
✓Apply upward and outward pressure to prevent them from driving the arm down for an underhook
✓Step to the outside of the controlled arm to create an angle
✓From here, chain to: arm drag (pull across), underhook (swim under the elevated arm), or snap down
✓Keep your other hand active — a collar tie with the free hand creates a two-on-one positional advantage
✓The inside cup controls the opponent's ability to rotate their arm — they cannot pummel effectively
✓Drill the inside elbow control to arm drag transition as a single flowing movement
Common Mistakes
!Cupping with a loose hand — the palm must make firm contact to control the arm direction
!Pushing the arm too far and overextending — keep the arm within a manageable range
!Not stepping to create an angle — the grip alone isn't enough; your feet must move to exploit the opening
!Standing in front of the opponent with the elbow controlled — step to the side of the controlled arm
!Releasing the cup when the opponent resists — follow the resistance direction and use it to set up your next move
!Ignoring the opponent's head position — if their head drops, snap down; if they posture, arm drag
!Not flowing between inside elbow control and other positions — it's part of a chain, not an end point
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Pummeling — fight for inside position by swimming arms under opponent's gripsFrame and Push — create distance using forearm frames against the chest or neckGrip Break — systematically strip the opponent's controlling gripsPosture Up — straighten the spine and drive the hips forward to break clinch control
Setup Chain
1Close Distance — bridge the gap using footwork, strikes, or a level change
2Establish Primary Grip — secure the initial controlling grip on the opponent
3Position the Hips — align hips to maximize leverage and control angle
4Apply Pressure — use the grip to control posture and create offensive opportunities
Sources & References
Primary Source
Freestyle Wrestling: A Complete Guide for Coaches and Wrestlers (Petrov, 1977)
1BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [2] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (UFC, 2008)
2BookFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [2] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (UFC, 2008)
5CitationFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986)
Community
Athletics
Requires
swimming speed for inside position, shoulder drive, hip pressure
Favours
strong shoulders and low centre of gravity
Key muscles
deltoids, pectorals, core, quadriceps
Frequently Asked Questions
When using inside elbow control, should I pull my opponent toward the same side as my head?
No. You should never go to the same side as your head position—instead, make room for yourself by dropping to the opposite side, which sets up techniques like the double leg takedown.
How effective is inside elbow control for moving an opponent?
Inside elbow control will move your opponent somewhat, though the effect is modest compared to other control methods.
How does the Standard Inside Elbow Control work?
The Standard Inside Elbow Control positions the attacker's hand on the inside of the opponent's elbow, cupping the joint and using it as a steering handle to redirect the opponent's arm and prevent them from achieving inside position. The grip is maintained with the fingers wrapped around the inner elbow crease, thumb on the outside, allowing the controller to push, pull, or circle the opponent's arm.
Where does the Standard Inside Elbow Control come from?
Standard inside elbow control is one of the most basic clinch positions taught in wrestling and MMA, forming the first line of engagement when two fighters meet in the clinch. It has been a fundamental teaching point in wrestling rooms for generations.
Is the Standard Inside Elbow Control legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal — clinching is integral to MMA; IJF: legal — Legal — kumi-kata (grip fighting) is fundamental to judo; IBJJF: legal — Legal — standing grip fighting and clinch work permitted; IFMA: legal — Legal — the clinch is a core element of Muay Thai, clinch dominance is highly…; WBC/Boxing: restricted — Holding is technically a foul — referee breaks clinch, excessive holding resu…; K: restricted — 1/GLORY — One attack from clinch allowed, then referee breaks; WAKO: restricted — Clinch generally broken by referee — limited or no clinch fighting in most fo…; UWW: legal — Legal — clinch is fundamental to wrestling, the primary position in Greco-Roman
How dangerous is the Standard Inside Elbow Control?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — arm control positions limit opponent's offense; low direct injury risk
How do I set up the Standard Inside Elbow Control?
The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Establish Primary Grip → Position the Hips → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Standard Inside Elbow Control?
Standard counters include: Pummeling — fight for inside position by swimming arms under opponent's grips / Frame and Push — create distance using forearm frames against the chest or neck / Grip Break — systematically strip the opponent's controlling grips / Posture Up — straighten the spine and drive the hips forward to break clinch control.
What are the variants of the Standard Inside Elbow Control?
Common variants: Single underhook (one arm inside for angle and control); Double underhooks (both arms inside for maximum inside position); Underhook with collar tie (combining the underhook with head control).
How effective is the Standard Inside Elbow Control in competition?
Inside elbow control (cupping the elbow) is a common clinch grip in MMA used to steer the opponent and prevent strikes. It is frequently seen in UFC clinch exchanges.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Inside Elbow Control?
Top errors to watch for: Cupping with a loose hand — the palm must make firm contact to control the arm direction / Pushing the arm too far and overextending — keep the arm within a manageable range / Not stepping to create an angle — the grip alone isn't enough; your feet must move to exploit the opening / Standing in front of the opponent with the elbow controlled — step to the side of the controlled arm.
What are other names for the Standard Inside Elbow Control?
The Standard Inside Elbow Control is also known as Sutandādo Uchi Hiji Seigyo, Basic Inside Elbow Cup, Fundamental Elbow Block, Inside Elbow Frame.