Countering The Underhook
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Underhook Defence·CSW Association
Coach Erik Paulson showing three counters to the underhook from standing. - #grapple #jiujitsu #bjj #grappling #mma #br…
Underhook Defence
Familyアンダーフックディフェンス(Andāfukku Difensu)
TransliterationTranslation: underhook defence
Overview
The Underhook Defence family covers defensive techniques for preventing the opponent from establishing or maintaining underhooks, which are the primary clinch position for initiating takedowns. [1] Underhook defence is critical because an opponent with underhooks has inside position and direct access to the body for takedowns — denying underhooks is therefore equivalent to denying the most common takedown platform. [1],[2] The primary underhook defensive technique is re-pummelling — swimming the arm back inside to re-establish the underhook after the opponent has secured one. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Underhook defence through pummelling has been a central element of wrestling since the sport's formalisation, with the battle for underhooks recognised as one of the most important tactical contests in standing grappling. [1] The importance of underhook defence increased in MMA where underhook control often determines the clinch battle. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Underhook defence is fundamental in wrestling. [1]
Competition Record
Used in wrestling and MMA competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Preventing or reducing the effect of an incoming attack through physical interception, evasion, or structural positioning
Joints Involved — Varies by defence type — blocks use arms/shins, evasions use head/body movement, sprawls use hips
Force Vector — Opposing or tangential to the attack — either absorbing, redirecting, or evading the incoming force
Defensive Principle — Economy of motion — the best defence uses minimal movement to neutralise the maximum threat
Position & Entry
From fighting stance (under fire) — Bring both hands to the head, elbows tight, tuck the chin — absorb the flurry while protecting vital targets
As emergency defence — When overwhelmed by volume, shell up in the cover position until the opponent pauses
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Sprawls and stuffs involve sudden body weight displacement; knee/hip strain risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal — defensive techniques are fundamental to g...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— UWW — Legal defensive technique
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Underhook defence prevents the opponent from establishing the underhook position — a fundamental control point for takedowns, throws, and cage work (Cael Sanderson, Wrestling Technique, 2010)
✓The underhook gives the attacker inside position on one side of the body — this is the first step to most upper-body takedowns
✓Defend the underhook by swimming your arm back inside (re-pummelling) immediately when you feel the opponent's arm come under yours
✓Elbow position is the key: keep your elbows tight to your ribs; an elbow that lifts or flares gives the opponent the underhook entry
✓The whizzer (overhook) is the immediate counter when you lose the underhook — it neutralizes the opponent's inside position
✓In MMA, underhook defence is critical against the cage — the fighter with the underhook controls the clinch
✓Prevention is easier than recovery: maintain elbows-in positioning and active hand fighting to deny the underhook entry
✓Train underhook pummelling as a standalone drill — 2-minute rounds of pummelling develop the reflexes and timing needed
Common Mistakes
!Allowing the underhook to be established without immediately re-pummelling — every second of delay makes recovery harder
!Reaching over the opponent's arm (overhook) as your primary defence instead of re-pummelling inside — the underhook beats the overhook for control
!Lifting the elbows to create frames instead of keeping them tight — high elbows invite underhooks
!Not combining underhook defence with footwork — re-pummel while angling your hips away from the underhook side
!Defending the underhook with stiff, tense arms — relaxed, technical pummelling beats rigid resistance
!Only defending on one side — the opponent will switch to the other side; develop bilateral underhook defence
!Not addressing the underhook in cage situations — against the cage, the underhook determines who controls the clinch
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Boxing (Edwin Haislet, 1940)
1BookFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [2] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010)
2BookWrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Cejudo & Holliday, 2015)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Petrov, 1977) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
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] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010)
5CitationWrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Cejudo & Holliday, 2015)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Petrov, 1977) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
reaction speed, structural body mechanics, defensive awareness
Favours
quick reflexes and conditioned defensive surfaces
Key muscles
varies — forearms (blocking), legs (movement), core (stability)
Sub-techniques
Notes
Underhook defense counters the opponent's underhook by whizzing (overhooking), re-pummelng (fighting for your own underhook), or using frames to create distance. The underhook battle is the fundamental clinch exchange in wrestling and MMA. (Wrestling coaching manuals; The Ultimate MMA Training Guide)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I escape when my opponent has an underhook on me?
Block their forearm and use your elbow to pull your arm out, keeping their head controlled. Step across to prevent them from obtaining a body lock. CSW Association emphasizes blocking the forearm first as the key to breaking free from the underhook.
If my opponent has an underhook, how can I get to their back?
Place your hand across their chest and work to straighten out their underhook arm, which sets up the position to take their back. This straightening action is crucial before transitioning to the back control.
What's a safe way to defend against an underhook when my opponent has a seatbelt grip?
If your opponent gets a seatbelt grip (underhook with second arm around your waist), drop to the floor immediately while applying a whizzer, then hook your arm to defend and escape.
How does the Underhook Defence work?
The Underhook Defence family covers defensive techniques for preventing the opponent from establishing or maintaining underhooks, which are the primary clinch position for initiating takedowns. Underhook defence is critical because an opponent with underhooks has inside position and direct access to the body for takedowns — denying underhooks is therefore equivalent to denying the most common takedown platform.
Where does the Underhook Defence come from?
Underhook defence through pummelling has been a central element of wrestling since the sport's formalisation, with the battle for underhooks recognised as one of the most important tactical contests in standing grappling. The importance of underhook defence increased in MMA where underhook control often determines the clinch battle.
Is the Underhook Defence legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal — defensive techniques are fundamental to grappling; IJF: legal — Legal defensive action; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal defensive technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Underhook Defence?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — sprawls and stuffs involve sudden body weight displacement; knee/hip strain risk
How do I set up the Underhook Defence?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Underhook Defence?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Underhook Defence?
Common variants: Standard defence (primary defensive technique from the most common position); Reactive defence (triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for …); Proactive defence (anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it …); Counter defence (using the defensive movement to create an immediate count…).
How effective is the Underhook Defence in competition?
Used in wrestling and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Underhook Defence?
Top errors to watch for: Allowing the underhook to be established without immediately re-pummelling — every second of delay makes recovery harder / Reaching over the opponent's arm (overhook) as your primary defence instead of re-pummelling inside — the underhook b… / Lifting the elbows to create frames instead of keeping them tight — high elbows invite underhooks / Not combining underhook defence with footwork — re-pummel while angling your hips away from the underhook side.
What are other names for the Underhook Defence?
The Underhook Defence is also known as Andāfukku Difensu, Pummel Defence, Inside Position Defence.