Whizzer Kimura - Counter the Overhook with a reverse Shoulder Lock - Advanced BJJ
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Overhook Counter·Peter Mettler Martial Arts
Overhook Counter
SubFamilyオーバーフックカウンター(Ōbāfukku Kauntā)
TransliterationTranslation: overhook counter
Overview
The Overhook Counter subfamily covers the use of the overhook (whizzer) to counter takedown attempts by hooking over the opponent's attacking arm and driving the hip forward, stopping the forward momentum of the takedown. [1] The overhook counter hooks deep over the opponent's arm at the shoulder level, then uses an aggressive hip drive on the overhook side to push the opponent's shoulder down and redirect their force. [1],[2] The overhook counter can transition to a go-behind, hip throw, or front headlock depending on the angle achieved. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The overhook counter uses the overhook to neutralise the opponent's underhook and create counter-offensive opportunities. [1]
Lineage
A fundamental wrestling counter technique. [1]
Competition Record
Used in wrestling and MMA. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using foot positioning to control range and angles — maintaining optimal distance relative to the opponent
Joints Involved — Ankles (pivot and directional changes), knees (level maintenance), hips (balance and weight distribution)
Force Vector — Multi-directional — lateral steps, pivots, and retreats adjust distance and angle simultaneously
Distance Principle — Managing the distance between fighters is the most fundamental defensive skill — controlling range dictates which techniques are available
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
✓The overhook counter uses the overhook (whizzer) position to counter the opponent's underhook attacks — throws, trips, and back takes from the overhook are all available (Couture, Wrestling for Fighting, 2007)
✓The overhook traps the opponent's arm, limiting their ability to use the underhook for its intended purpose
✓From the overhook, counter-throw options include: hip throw over the overhook side, lateral drop, and foot sweep
✓The overhook-to-back-take is one of the highest-percentage transitions: use the overhook to spin to the opponent's back
✓Against body-lock takedowns, the overhook prevents the opponent from fully locking their hands around your body
✓The overhook counter is strongest when combined with a collar tie or head control on the opposite side
✓In MMA, the overhook from the clinch can transition to dirty boxing: short punches from the overhook position
✓Train the overhook as an offensive position, not just a defensive one — the overhook is a weapon when used correctly
Common Mistakes
!Using the overhook passively without attacking — the overhook is temporary; if you don't use it, the opponent will eventually free their arm
!Applying the overhook too loosely — a loose overhook doesn't control the arm; squeeze the elbow to your ribs
!Not using the free hand — the overhook works best when the free hand is active (collar tie, head control, framing)
!Leaning too heavily on the overhook and losing balance — maintain your own base
!Only training the overhook as a defensive response — drill offensive transitions from the overhook position
!Not transitioning when the opponent starts to escape the overhook — attack during their escape attempt
!Over-relying on the overhook against skilled wrestlers who can swim out of it — combine with other controls
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 Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
2BookWrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Cejudo & Holliday, 2015)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Petrov, 1977)
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 Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
5CitationWrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Cejudo & Holliday, 2015)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Petrov, 1977)
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I escape from bottom position when my opponent has an overhook and is stronger than me?
According to Peter Mettler, when you're underneath a stronger opponent with an overhook, your escape option is to sit out: use your elbow, stand on your fore-side foot, and sit through while extending your neck to get to the back position.
How does the Overhook Counter work?
The Overhook Counter subfamily covers the use of the overhook (whizzer) to counter takedown attempts by hooking over the opponent's attacking arm and driving the hip forward, stopping the forward momentum of the takedown. The overhook counter hooks deep over the opponent's arm at the shoulder level, then uses an aggressive hip drive on the overhook side to push the opponent's shoulder down and redirect their force.
Where does the Overhook Counter come from?
The overhook counter has been a standard wrestling defensive technique for generations, taught as the primary reactive defence when an opponent achieves an underhook or starts a takedown. It remains one of the most commonly used takedown defences in both wrestling and MMA.
Is the Overhook Counter 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 Overhook Counter?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — sprawls and stuffs involve sudden body weight displacement; knee/hip strain risk
How do I set up the Overhook Counter?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Overhook Counter?
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 Overhook Counter?
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 Overhook Counter in competition?
Used in wrestling and MMA.
What are common mistakes when doing the Overhook Counter?
Top errors to watch for: Using the overhook passively without attacking — the overhook is temporary; if you don't use it, the opponent will ev… / Applying the overhook too loosely — a loose overhook doesn't control the arm; squeeze the elbow to your ribs / Not using the free hand — the overhook works best when the free hand is active (collar tie, head control, framing) / Leaning too heavily on the overhook and losing balance — maintain your own base.
What are other names for the Overhook Counter?
The Overhook Counter is also known as Ōbāfukku Kauntā, Overhook Attack, Whizzer Counter, Overhook Throw.