5 Wrist Control Takedowns Every Wrestler Should Know (D1 Breakdown)
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Double Wrist Control·Christian Tanefeu
🔥 Master Wrist Control: 5 Takedowns Every Wrestler Needs In this video, I break down 5 takedowns you can hit from wrist…
Double Wrist Control
SubFamily両手首制御(Ryō-tekubi Seigyo)
TraditionalTranslation: double wrist control
Overview
The Double Wrist Control subfamily covers positions where the attacker controls both of the opponent's wrists simultaneously, completely managing the opponent's hand placement and grip establishment. [1] Double wrist control is a highly dominant arm control position because it neutralises both of the opponent's arms, preventing strikes, frames, and grip fighting. [1],[2] From double wrist control, the attacker can release one grip to transition into deeper positions while maintaining control with the other hand, or use the position to set up push-pull off-balancing sequences. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Double wrist control has been used in martial arts for centuries, particularly in Japanese arts where controlling both hands (morote-dori) is a recognised attack scenario in aikido and jujutsu. [1] In modern grappling and MMA, double wrist control is taught as a clinch management tool for controlling distance and hand fighting. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Double wrist control immobilises both of the opponent's arms, preventing strikes, grips, and offensive actions while creating opportunities for knee strikes, trips, and guard passes. [1]
Lineage
Double wrist control is used across multiple martial arts, from Muay Thai clinch fighting to BJJ guard retention. [1]
Competition Record
Double wrist control is a common control position in MMA, used to neutralise opponents on the ground. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Establishing a controlling connection with the opponent at close range
Joints Involved — Upper body contact points — head, arms, and torso used for control and balance disruption
Force Vector — Varies by clinch type — downward (collar tie), lateral (arm drags), or forward (chest pressure)
Control Mechanic — Inside position and head control are the dominant factors in clinch superiority
Position & Entry
From hand fighting — Secure the opponent's wrist with a C-grip or monkey grip, controlling their lead hand to limit their offence
From clinch break — Grab the wrist to control the opponent's arm as you create distance or transition
Videos
1 video
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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
✓Double wrist control grips both of the opponent's wrists — this shuts down their offence but also limits yours
✓Use double wrist control momentarily to neutralise a dangerous striker, then immediately transition
✓From double wrist, drag one arm to create an angle, or release one wrist and advance to a collar tie or underhook
✓In clinch-break situations (Muay Thai, MMA), double wrist control buys time to read the opponent's next move
✓Double wrist is a reset position — it's where you go to stop the opponent's action and start your own
✓Push both wrists out to create distance, or pull one and push the other to rotate the opponent
✓Drill double wrist control as a transitional skill: grab both, hold for one beat, then chain to the next grip
Common Mistakes
!Holding double wrist control as a permanent position — it stalls the fight and the referee may separate you
!Trying to attack while holding both wrists — you have no free hands; you must release one to act
!Keeping both arms straight — bent elbows give better structural control
!Not immediately chaining to a transition — double wrist control has a 1-2 second shelf life
!Gripping symmetrically when the opponent is staggered — match your grip to their stance and body position
!Pulling both wrists toward you — this closes distance and gives the opponent head-butting or kneeing range
!Failing to strip grips effectively when the opponent has your wrists — circle toward their thumbs to escape
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] No-Gi Grappling Fundamentals (Danaher, 2010)
2BookAikido and the Dynamic Sphere (Westbrook & Ratti, 1970)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3SyllabusAikido Terminology
Aikido technique naming conventions
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [2] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011) [3] No-Gi Grappling Fundamentals (Danaher, 2010)
6CitationAikido and the Dynamic Sphere (Westbrook & Ratti, 1970)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip strength, upper body endurance, balance under pressure
Favours
strong arms and shoulders, stable base
Key muscles
forearms, deltoids, core, hip muscles
Sub-techniques
Notes
Double wrist control — gripping both of the opponent's wrists — is the most basic standing control in martial arts. Used in self-defense (controlling an attacker's hands), grappling (preventing grips and punches), and weapons defense (controlling the weapon hand). (Military combatives manuals; self-defense texts)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake people make when finishing a double wrist control takedown?
According to Christian Tanefeu, the biggest mistake is not committing fully to the takedown. Once you get the outside step, you need to release the arm and fully execute the double leg rather than hesitating—you really have to sell it and commit to the shot.
How should I transition from wrist control to a double leg takedown?
Christian Tanefeu teaches starting with opposite side collar pressure, hitting the wrist, then circling to create space. Once you secure the outside step, the key is to release the arm immediately and drive into the double leg takedown.
How do I improve my double wrist control technique?
Christian Tanefeu emphasizes that the only way to learn wrist control takedowns is through daily repetition—you must practice this technique every single day to develop proficiency.
How does the Double Wrist Control work?
The Double Wrist Control subfamily covers positions where the attacker controls both of the opponent's wrists simultaneously, completely managing the opponent's hand placement and grip establishment. Double wrist control is a highly dominant arm control position because it neutralises both of the opponent's arms, preventing strikes, frames, and grip fighting.
Where does the Double Wrist Control come from?
Double wrist control has been used in martial arts for centuries, particularly in Japanese arts where controlling both hands (morote-dori) is a recognised attack scenario in aikido and jujutsu. In modern grappling and MMA, double wrist control is taught as a clinch management tool for controlling distance and hand fighting.
Is the Double Wrist 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 Double Wrist Control?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — arm control positions limit opponent's offense; low direct injury risk
How do I set up the Double Wrist Control?
The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Establish Primary Grip → Position the Hips → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Double Wrist 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 Double Wrist Control?
Common variants: Standard variation (primary clinch configuration from the most common entry); Gi variation (adapted with collar and sleeve grips for gi-based grappling); No-gi / MMA variation (modified for no-gi or cage fighting conditions); Offensive variation (configured to set up strikes, takedowns, or submissions f…).
How effective is the Double Wrist Control in competition?
Double wrist control is a common control position in MMA, used to neutralise opponents on the ground.
What are common mistakes when doing the Double Wrist Control?
Top errors to watch for: Holding double wrist control as a permanent position — it stalls the fight and the referee may separate you / Trying to attack while holding both wrists — you have no free hands; you must release one to act / Keeping both arms straight — bent elbows give better structural control / Not immediately chaining to a transition — double wrist control has a 1-2 second shelf life.
What are other names for the Double Wrist Control?
The Double Wrist Control is also known as Ryō-tekubi Seigyo, Double Wrist Tie, Two-Hand Wrist Control, Bilateral Wrist Grip.