Younes Emami Underhook System | Overview
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Single Underhook·DPS Breakdowns
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Single Underhook
SubFamilyシングルアンダーフック(Shinguru Andāfukku)
TransliterationTranslation: single underhook
Overview
The Single Underhook subfamily covers the clinch position where one arm is hooked under the opponent's arm, providing inside position on one side while the other arm is engaged in a different tie (collar tie, wrist control, or overhook). [1] The single underhook is the most commonly contested clinch position — in virtually every clinch exchange, both fighters are attempting to establish at least one underhook. [1],[2] A single underhook combined with a collar tie on the opposite side is considered one of the most balanced and versatile offensive clinch configurations. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The single underhook is the foundational building block of clinch fighting in all wrestling traditions, representing the most basic unit of inside position that fighters compete for from the moment of engagement. [1] It has been central to clinch tactics since the earliest documented wrestling systems. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The single underhook provides inside control on one side while keeping the other hand free for additional offensive or defensive actions. [1] Welker describes the single underhook as the most commonly used clinch position in all forms of wrestling because it balances control with versatility. [1] In MMA, the single underhook is frequently paired with a collar tie on the opposite side to create an effective control configuration. [2]
Lineage
The single underhook is a fundamental wrestling and MMA clinch position. [1]
Competition Record
Single underhook control is one of the most commonly established clinch positions in MMA. [1]
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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 striking range — Close distance with a jab or level change, cup the hand behind the opponent's head (nape of the neck), pull their posture down
From hand fighting — During grip exchanges, swim inside and secure the collar tie by cupping the back of the head
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Upper body clinch positions for control and transitions
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
✓The single underhook has one arm inside the opponent's arm — the other side is either posted, overhooking, or free
✓A single underhook gives you offensive initiative on that side: attack with a go-behind, hip throw, or body lock
✓Drive the underhook deep and use your head on the same side — head plus underhook creates a strong two-point control
✓Your other arm can: post on the opponent's bicep, establish an overhook, or grip their collar/neck
✓From single underhook against the cage, drive for a single-leg or body lock takedown
✓Pummel for double underhooks when the opponent isn't defending the other side
✓The single underhook position is also the defensive response to the opponent's single underhook — over-under (50-50) clinch
Common Mistakes
!Having the underhook but not the head position — head outside with an underhook is a compromised position
!Getting the underhook but not driving it deep — shallow underhooks get whizzered out easily
!Not using the free hand — both hands must be working; the non-underhook hand posts, grips, or strikes
!Attempting to throw from the single underhook without hip contact — close the distance and get hip-to-hip first
!Pummelling for the underhook and stopping — the underhook is the start of the attack, not the end
!Allowing the opponent to crossface with their free hand while you have the underhook — use your head to block the crossface
!Standing with the underhook and waiting — attack within 2-3 seconds or the opponent adjusts
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Close Distance — bridge the gap using footwork, strikes, or a level change
2Swim Inside — thread the arm under the opponent's armpit to establish the underhook
3Hip Position — step the same-side hip into the opponent to block their movement
4Head Position — place forehead against the opponent's temple for head control
Sources & References
Primary Source
Freestyle Wrestling: A Complete Guide for Coaches and Wrestlers (Petrov, 1977)
1BookFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [2] NCAA Wrestling Rules and Interpretations (NCAA, 2020) [3] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011)
2BookGreco-Roman Wrestling (Petrov, 1985)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [2] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [2] NCAA Wrestling Rules and Interpretations (NCAA, 2020) [3] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011)
5CitationGreco-Roman Wrestling (Petrov, 1985)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [2] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011)
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
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Single Underhook work?
The Single Underhook subfamily covers the clinch position where one arm is hooked under the opponent's arm, providing inside position on one side while the other arm is engaged in a different tie (collar tie, wrist control, or overhook). The single underhook is the most commonly contested clinch position — in virtually every clinch exchange, both fighters are attempting to establish at least one underhook.
Where does the Single Underhook come from?
The single underhook is the foundational building block of clinch fighting in all wrestling traditions, representing the most basic unit of inside position that fighters compete for from the moment of engagement. It has been central to clinch tactics since the earliest documented wrestling systems.
Is the Single Underhook 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 Single Underhook?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — upper body clinch positions for control and transitions
How do I set up the Single Underhook?
The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Swim Inside → Hip Position → Head Position.
How do I defend against the Single Underhook?
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 / Overhook (Whizzer) — trap the underhook arm with an overhook to neutralize it / Arm Drag — pull the underhooking arm past to take the back.
What are the variants of the Single Underhook?
Common variants: Single collar tie (one hand on the nape controlling the head); Double collar tie (plum) (both hands behind the head for maximum control); Collar tie with wrist control (one hand on the nape, other controlling the wrist).
How effective is the Single Underhook in competition?
Single underhook control is one of the most commonly established clinch positions in MMA.
What are common mistakes when doing the Single Underhook?
Top errors to watch for: Having the underhook but not the head position — head outside with an underhook is a compromised position / Getting the underhook but not driving it deep — shallow underhooks get whizzered out easily / Not using the free hand — both hands must be working; the non-underhook hand posts, grips, or strikes / Attempting to throw from the single underhook without hip contact — close the distance and get hip-to-hip first.
What are other names for the Single Underhook?
The Single Underhook is also known as Shinguru Andāfukku, Single Under, Inside Tie, One-Arm Underhook.