Collar & Elbow Clinch
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Collar Elbow Clinch·Força Martial Arts & Fitness
This video highlights one of the key beginner/entry level clinches we teach students in our striking and grappling progr…
Collar Elbow Clinch
SubFamilyカラー・アンド・エルボー・クリンチ(Karā ando Erubō Kurinchi)
TransliterationTranslation: Collar and elbow clinch — one hand grips the opponent's collar/neck area while the other controls their elbow, creating the fundamental wrestling tie-up position
Overview
The Collar Elbow Clinch is the most fundamental clinch position in wrestling, where one hand grips the back of the opponent's neck or collar (the collar tie) while the other hand controls the opponent's elbow or bicep, creating a neutral tie-up position from which both wrestlers can initiate offensive and defensive actions. [1] This position is universally recognised as the starting point of standup wrestling across virtually all wrestling styles — freestyle, Greco-Roman, folkstyle, and catch wrestling — because it provides balanced control: the collar tie controls the opponent's head (and therefore their posture and balance), while the elbow control manages their ability to shoot, pummel, or strike. [1],[2] In competition wrestling, the collar elbow tie-up is where the vast majority of standup exchanges begin: both wrestlers reach for the tie simultaneously, and the quality of the resulting grip battle (who gets a deeper collar tie, who controls whose elbow) often determines who scores the takedown. [2],[3] The position's tactical importance extends far beyond wrestling: in MMA, the collar elbow clinch is the transitional battleground between striking and grappling, where fighters decide whether to disengage to striking range, pummel for underhooks, or initiate takedowns. [3] In Judo, the equivalent position (kumi-kata or grip fighting) is considered so important that elite judoka spend years perfecting their grip-fighting sequences from collar-and-sleeve positions that are structurally similar to the wrestler's collar and elbow. [4] The collar elbow tie-up appears in the earliest documented wrestling traditions, including ancient Greek wrestling depictions and medieval European wrestling manuals, making it one of the oldest and most universal combat positions in human history. [2]
Collar and ElbowCollar Tie and Elbow ControlStandard Wrestling Tie-UpCollar Elbow TieC&E Tie-UpBasic Clinch
History & Origin
The collar and elbow clinch is one of the oldest documented combat positions in human history, appearing in wrestling depictions from ancient Egypt (Beni Hasan tomb paintings, c. 2000 BCE), ancient Greece (Olympic wrestling from 708 BCE), and virtually every wrestling tradition worldwide. [2] The position is so fundamental to human grappling that it appears independently in wrestling cultures that had no contact with each other — from Mongolian Bökh to Senegalese Laamb to Irish collar-and-elbow wrestling (a specific style named after this very position). [2] In fact, 'collar-and-elbow' was the name of a distinct Irish wrestling style brought to America by immigrants in the 19th century, which influenced the development of American catch wrestling and eventually collegiate/folkstyle wrestling. [2] In modern competitive wrestling, the collar elbow tie-up was formalised as the standard engagement position through the evolution of freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. [2],[3] The position's universality across cultures and centuries speaks to its biomechanical optimality — controlling the head and the arm simultaneously is simply the most efficient way for two standing grapplers to engage each other. [2]
Effectiveness
The collar elbow clinch is not a technique that wins fights directly — it is the PLATFORM from which fight-winning techniques are launched. [2],[3] In NCAA Division I wrestling, approximately 80% of takedowns are initiated from some variation of the collar elbow tie-up. [3] In MMA, the clinch is the transitional space where the fight's strategic direction is decided: whoever controls the collar elbow exchange determines whether the fight stays standing (advantageous for strikers) or goes to the ground (advantageous for wrestlers). [3] The position's effectiveness lies in its versatility: from the collar elbow tie, a wrestler can snap down, arm drag, duck under, initiate a single-leg, double-leg, high crotch, or any number of throws — making it the most tactically rich position in standup grappling. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
The collar elbow tie-up is the starting position for approximately 80% of takedowns in NCAA Division I wrestling. In Olympic wrestling (both freestyle and Greco-Roman), the position is the standard engagement from which nearly all scoring actions originate. In MMA, the collar elbow clinch is the most common transitional position between striking and grappling exchanges.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Dual-point control — the collar tie (hand on the back of the neck) controls the opponent's head position and posture, while the elbow grip (hand on the opponent's elbow or bicep) controls their arm position and ability to attack
Joints Involved — Collar tie arm: shoulder (flexion to reach the neck), elbow (flexion to cup the back of the neck), wrist (neutral, fingers spread on the trapezius/posterior neck); Elbow control arm: shoulder (flexion/abduction to reach the opponent's arm), elbow (flexion to grip the bicep or cup the elbow), wrist (neutral grip)
Force Vector — The collar tie exerts a downward and forward pull on the opponent's head — controlling the direction their head faces, their posture (upright vs broken), and their balance (if pulled forward, they must step to recover). The elbow control exerts a lateral or circular force on the opponent's arm — steering it away from underhook attempts and controlling the distance between the wrestlers.
Leverage Principle — The collar tie creates a first-class lever system: the hand on the back of the neck is the effort, the cervical spine is the fulcrum, and the opponent's entire body (centre of mass) is the load. Because the head represents approximately 8% of body weight but sits at the top of the body's kinetic chain, controlling the head with relatively little force can redirect the entire body. This is why the collar tie is considered the single most important grip in wrestling.
Position & Entry
From neutral standing (standard) — Both wrestlers extend their hands simultaneously — one hand reaches for the back of the opponent's neck (collar tie), the other hand grabs the opponent's bicep or elbow. The resulting tie-up is neutral with both wrestlers mirroring each other.
From a jab in MMA — After throwing a jab, instead of retracting the hand, cup it behind the opponent's neck to establish the collar tie, then use the other hand to control their elbow — this converts a striking exchange into a wrestling clinch
From post-scramble — After a scramble (failed takedown, guard recovery, etc.), when both athletes come to their feet, the collar elbow tie is the default first contact position
From collar tie snap — Establish the collar tie aggressively by snapping the opponent's head down, then quickly secure the elbow control before they can posture back up
Variants
Standard collar and elbow (neutral) — both wrestlers mirror each other with matching collar tie and elbow control
Dominant collar tie — one wrestler has a deeper, more aggressive collar tie while the opponent has only a shallow grip or no collar tie
Inside collar elbow — the elbow-controlling hand is on the inside of the opponent's arm (between their arm and body), providing inside position advantage
Outside collar elbow — the elbow-controlling hand is on the outside of the opponent's arm
Post collar tie — using the collar tie to post the opponent's head to one side while circling for an angle
Snap collar tie — using the collar tie primarily as a snapping tool to break the opponent's posture rather than for sustained control
Videos
Catch Wrestling Techniques: Collar And Elbow Tie Up
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Collar Elbow Clinch·Budo Brothers
All fights in the ring or the octagon start standing. A very common technique you will see catch wrestlers and jiu jitsu…
Free Technique: Tainan Dalpra | Same Side Collar & Elbow Curriculum on AOJ+ aojplus.com
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Collar Elbow Clinch·ART OF JIU JITSU
Free technique from Week 02 of Tainan Dalpra's AOJ+ Curriculum showcasing the Same Side Collar & Elbow Guard - Watch the…
Catch Wrestling Techniques Collar And Elbow Tie Up_R
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Collar Elbow Clinch·Lynn Phillipsen
BJJ Tips: Takedown from Collar and Elbow Clinch 1
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Collar Elbow Clinch·UMMAH BJJ
This is a very nice simple and quick takedown when both your opponent and you have a collar and elbow grip from standing
Six drills to improve your collar and elbow wrestling
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Collar Elbow Clinch·Rambling Kern
This week I go over some drills I have been using to improve my Irish collar and elbow wrestling practice, I discuss how…
Catch Wrestling Techniques Collar And Elbow Tie Up_R
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Collar Elbow Clinch·Linda Spenceres
Jax Forrest Elbow Tie System
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Collar Elbow Clinch·Iron Faith Wrestling
Iron Faith Merch ➡️ https://amptstudio.chipply.com/ifwc/ Join the #1 Online Wrestling Academy in the world ➡️ https://w…
Collar & Elbow Tie-Up Counters | WORLD-BEATER WRESTLING
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Collar Elbow Clinch·Damian Slater (World-Beater Wrestling)
https://www.patreon.com/wbw to support my work and find exclusive new content daily. These videos are released a week ea…
How to Do a Collar-and-Elbow Hold | Wrestling Moves
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Collar Elbow Clinch·Howcast
Full Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLALQuK1NDrjAtHPtEFiIXDj7CQ-Cyywd - - Like these Wrestling Moves !…
Catch Wrestling Pivot Roll | Overhook Counter from Collar & Elbow Tie-Up
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Collar Elbow Clinch·Scientific Wrestling
Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdIZoPQFyO8IXVRIoSehzgA/join Master the Pivo…
How to DOMINATE the Collar and Elbow and IMMEDIATELY IMPROVE Position 2023 #shorts #martialarts
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Collar Elbow Clinch·Fight Skills
The Simple things make all the difference, NEVER BE NEUTRAL AGAIN. Coach Dave shows how to DOMINATE the Collar and Elbow…
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12 videosWhat Instructors Say
The collar-and-elbow clinch is a fundamental neutral wrestling position in which one hand controls the opponent's collar or upper chest while the other hand controls the elbow. According to Pretty Boy Larry Sharp (Howcast), this symmetric position—identical for both participants—serves as the standard starting configuration in amateur wrestling matches. The primary objective, as all instructors emphasize, is positional dominance: preventing the opponent from moving behind you while seeking to establish control behind them. Sharp stresses maintaining an upright posture with bent knees and hips retracted to prevent being driven backward. Damian Slater (World-Beater Wrestling) focuses on offensive counters, describing proactive blocking techniques such as 'answering the phone' (blocking the ear to prevent collar capture before executing an arm drag) and the hammer lock counter, both designed to intercept the opponent's collar arm on approach. Rambling Kern advocates for technical development through six progressive drills—hopping, sticky foot, bullet matador, blindfolded contact, and throw-for-throw—emphasizing upright posture and footwork-based throws rather than relying on traditional hip throws. Scientific Wrestling addresses overhook counters and pivot roll mechanics from the collar-and-elbow tie, focusing on shoulder rotation and leg placement. Collectively, instructors agree the position prioritizes balance, leg engagement, and hip control while disagreeing on emphasis: counters versus positional maintenance versus drilling progression.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- Howcast — How to Do a Collar-and-Elbow Hold | Wrestling Moves: Defined collar-and-elbow as a symmetric neutral position with foundational stance principles: hand placement on collar and elbow, upright posture, bent knees, hips retracted, and the core principle of preventing opponent from getting behind while seeking that same position.
- World-Beater Wrestling — Collar & Elbow Tie-Up Counters | WORLD-BEATER WRESTLING: Provided two proactive counter techniques: 'answering the phone' (blocking ear, catching wrist for arm drag) and the hammer lock counter (blocking bicep while catching wrist), both designed to intercept collar capture before the clinch solidifies.
- Rambling Kern — Six drills to improve your collar and elbow wrestling: Presented six progressive training drills emphasizing upright posture and footwork-based techniques: hopping drill, sticky foot drill, bullet matador drill, aggressive bullet matador, blindfolded positioning, and throw-for-throw sequencing. Highlighted that collar-and-elbow meta prioritizes leg-driven techniques over traditional hip throws.
- Scientific Wrestling — Catch Wrestling Pivot Roll | Overhook Counter from Collar & Elbow Tie-Up: Addressed overhook defensive mechanics and pivot roll counters from the collar-and-elbow tie, focusing on shoulder rotation, arm positioning on the inside, and leg placement during balance transitions.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
The collar elbow clinch is a control position, not a striking or submission technique — it causes no direct injury. However, it is the gateway position from which takedowns, throws, and strikes (in MMA) are initiated, making it tactically one of the most consequential positions in combat.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
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
✓The depth of the collar tie determines who controls the position — the wrestler whose hand is deeper on the back of the opponent's neck (fingers reaching the far trapezius rather than just the base of the skull) has the dominant collar tie and therefore controls the exchange. Drill fighting for depth: both partners start with shallow collar ties and compete to deepen their grip. [2] The collar tie is NOT a passive grip — it must be active, constantly pulling, snapping, circling, and redirecting the opponent's head. A static collar tie is easily stripped. [2],[3] The elbow control must prevent the opponent from achieving an underhook: if the opponent swims their controlled arm inside and achieves an underhook, the collar-elbow tie-up has failed. Drill the 'door shut' concept: the elbow-controlling hand keeps the 'door' closed on the opponent's underhook attempts. [2] Footwork is inseparable from the collar elbow clinch: drill circling while maintaining the tie-up, changing direction randomly, and using the collar tie to pull the opponent off-balance during direction changes. [2],[3] Level changes from the collar elbow tie: practise dropping to a penetration step for a single-leg or double-leg takedown directly from the tie-up. The collar tie pulls the opponent's weight forward while the level change attacks underneath. [2] Head position: the wrestler's own head should be pressing into the opponent's chest or shoulder — head inside position provides an additional control point and prevents the opponent from snapping down. [3]
Common Mistakes
!Passive collar tie — holding the back of the neck without actively pulling, snapping, or circling allows the opponent to settle and work their own attacks; the collar tie must be constantly active
!Shallow grip — gripping only the base of the skull or the top of the neck provides minimal control; the hand must reach deep to the far trapezius
!Allowing underhooks — the elbow control hand's primary job is preventing the opponent from pummelling to an underhook; losing this battle gives the opponent inside position and offensive initiative
!Standing flat-footed — the collar elbow clinch requires constant footwork; standing still in the tie-up is a defensive wrestler's mistake that allows the aggressive wrestler to dictate the pace
!Head position too high — keeping the head upright and away from the opponent creates distance that weakens the collar tie; the head should be pressed against the opponent's shoulder or chest
!Over-reliance on the collar tie — the collar tie is a transitional position, not a destination; spending too long in the tie-up without initiating attacks allows the opponent to establish their own grips and counter-attack
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Pummel for underhooks — the primary offensive counter: swim the controlled arm inside the opponent's grip to achieve an underhookStrip the collar tie — use both hands to peel the opponent's collar tie hand off the neckArm drag — drag the collar tie arm past your body and circle behind the opponentSnap down — use your own collar tie to snap the opponent's head down, breaking their posture and creating scramble opportunitiesLevel change — drop below the tie-up to initiate a takedownDisengage — push off the opponent's face or chest and step back to re-establish striking range (MMA context)
Setup Chain
1Both fighters engage → Reach for the collar tie (hand to back of opponent's neck) simultaneously with elbow control (hand to opponent's bicep) → Compete for grip depth (deeper collar tie = dominant position) → Use active collar tie to snap, pull, circle, and break opponent's posture → When opponent's balance is disrupted → Initiate takedown (single-leg, double-leg, snap-down, duck-under, arm drag) OR transition to underhook battle OR disengage to striking range
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Evolution of Martial Arts in Combat Sports
1Book[1] The Evolution of Martial Arts in Combat Sports. [2] Poliakoff, M. (1987). Combat Sports in the Ancient World. Yale University Press. Wrestling traditions chapter. [3] Couture, R. and Krauss, E. (2008). Wrestling for Fighting: The Natural Way. Victory Belt Publishing. [4] Mifune, K. (1956). The Canon of Judo. Kodansha International. Kumi-kata sections.pp. Couture 2008 standup clinch chapter
description: [1] Evolution of MA, [2] Poliakoff 1987, [3] Couture 2008
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3Citation[1] The Evolution of Martial Arts in Combat Sports. [2] Poliakoff, M. (1987). Combat Sports in the Ancient World. Yale University Press. Wrestling traditions chapter. [3] Couture, R. and Krauss, E. (2008). Wrestling for Fighting: The Natural Way. Victory Belt Publishing. [4] Mifune, K. (1956). The Canon of Judo. Kodansha International. Kumi-kata sections.pp. Couture 2008 standup clinch chapter
description: [1] Evolution of MA, [2] Poliakoff 1987, [3] Couture 2008
Community
Athletics
Requires good grip strength for maintaining the collar tie and elbow control
Neck strength to resist the opponent's collar tie (the neck must support the opponent's pulling force)
Footwork and balance for circling while maintaining the tie-up
Upper body endurance for sustained clinch exchanges
Accessible to all body types — taller wrestlers have a reach advantage for the collar tie, shorter wrestlers can use their lower centre of gravity for level changes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up an ankle pick from the collar elbow clinch?
Match lead legs with your opponent, then shoot to the knee while dropping that knee forward. Keep your pinky on the mat as you grab the heel, and push the tricep across the body toward the knee you're attacking. Make sure not to reach too high, or your opponent can bend their heel back to defend.
What's the proper hand placement when controlling the tricep in an elbow tie?
Your pinky should be right on the mat when grabbing the heel, and you maintain control of the tricep throughout the setup. This low hand position prevents your opponent from defending by bending their heel backwards.
How do I finish the elbow tie slide by if my opponent faces me?
If the slide by doesn't work and your opponent fully faces you, you can attack a straight double leg, high crotch, or head outside low single—whatever opening presents itself. Just drop off your legs and finish the takedown.
What's the 'answering the phone' counter to a collar and elbow tie-up?
As your opponent comes in for the lock, block your ear with your hand so they can't capture your neck, then turn your hand out and grab their wrist. This leads into an arm drag or transition to a hammer lock.
How does the Collar Elbow Clinch work?
The Collar Elbow Clinch is the most fundamental clinch position in wrestling, where one hand grips the back of the opponent's neck or collar (the collar tie) while the other hand controls the opponent's elbow or bicep, creating a neutral tie-up position from which both wrestlers can initiate offensive and defensive actions. This position is universally recognised as the starting point of standup wrestling across virtually all wrestling styles — freestyle, Greco-Roman, folkstyle, and catch wrestling — because it provides balanced control: the collar tie controls the opponent's head (and therefore their posture and balance), while the elbow control manages their ability to shoot, pummel, or strike.
Where does the Collar Elbow Clinch come from?
The collar and elbow clinch is one of the oldest documented combat positions in human history, appearing in wrestling depictions from ancient Egypt (Beni Hasan tomb paintings, c. 2000 BCE), ancient Greece (Olympic wrestling from 708 BCE), and virtually every wrestling tradition worldwide.
Is the Collar Elbow Clinch 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 Collar Elbow Clinch?
Danger rating 2/10. The collar elbow clinch is a control position, not a striking or submission technique — it causes no direct injury. However, it is the gateway position from which takedowns, throws, and strikes (in MMA) are initiated, making it tactically one of the most consequential positions in combat.
How do I set up the Collar Elbow Clinch?
The standard setup chain: Both fighters engage → Reach for the collar tie (hand to back of opponent's neck) simultaneously with elbow control (hand to opponent's bicep) → Compete for grip depth (deeper collar tie = dominant position) → Use active collar tie to snap, pull, circle, and break opponent's posture → When opponent's balance is disrupted → Initiate takedown (single-leg, double-leg, snap-down, duck-under, arm drag) OR transition to underhook battle OR disengage to striking range.
How do I defend against the Collar Elbow Clinch?
Standard counters include: Pummel for underhooks — the primary offensive counter: swim the controlled arm inside the opponent's grip to achieve … / Strip the collar tie — use both hands to peel the opponent's collar tie hand off the neck / Arm drag — drag the collar tie arm past your body and circle behind the opponent / Snap down — use your own collar tie to snap the opponent's head down, breaking their posture and creating scramble op….
What are the variants of the Collar Elbow Clinch?
Common variants: Standard collar and elbow (neutral) (both wrestlers mirror each other with matching collar tie…); Dominant collar tie (one wrestler has a deeper, more aggressive collar tie whi…); Inside collar elbow (the elbow-controlling hand is on the inside of the oppone…); Outside collar elbow (the elbow-controlling hand is on the outside of the oppon…); Post collar tie (using the collar tie to post the opponent's head to one s…); Snap collar tie (using the collar tie primarily as a snapping tool to brea…).
How effective is the Collar Elbow Clinch in competition?
The collar elbow tie-up is the starting position for approximately 80% of takedowns in NCAA Division I wrestling. In Olympic wrestling (both freestyle and Greco-Roman), the position is the standard engagement from which nearly all scoring actions originate.
What are common mistakes when doing the Collar Elbow Clinch?
Top errors to watch for: Passive collar tie — holding the back of the neck without actively pulling, snapping, or circling allows the opponent… / Shallow grip — gripping only the base of the skull or the top of the neck provides minimal control; the hand must rea… / Allowing underhooks — the elbow control hand's primary job is preventing the opponent from pummelling to an underhook… / Standing flat-footed — the collar elbow clinch requires constant footwork; standing still in the tie-up is a defensiv….
What are other names for the Collar Elbow Clinch?
The Collar Elbow Clinch is also known as Karā ando Erubō Kurinchi, Collar and Elbow, Collar Tie and Elbow Control, Standard Wrestling Tie-Up, Collar Elbow Tie.