Gable Grip

Variety

ゲーブルグリップ(Gēburu Gurippu)

Transliteration

Translation: gable grip

Overview

The Gable Grip finishing variation uses a palm-to-palm grip (no thumbs interlocked) to secure the short choke — the strongest clasp grip available, named after wrestling legend Dan Gable. [1] The Gable grip prevents the hands from being stripped because there are no fingers to peel. [1],[2]

Also known as
Gable Grip FinishPalm-to-Palm No ThumbsGreco Grip
Used in
BJJJudoSubmission GrapplingMMASambo

History & Origin

This variation developed within the broader choking/cranking system of its parent technique family. [1],[2]

Effectiveness

Effective when the specific grip and positioning requirements are met — each variation addresses a specific defensive scenario. [1],[2]

Lineage

Developed within the BJJ/grappling submission system. [1]

Competition Record

Used in BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling competition. [1]

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Applying this specific choking or cranking configuration to the opponent's neck or spine
Joints Involved — Neck (cervical spine — the target of all chokes/cranks in this family), arms (the choking limb creates the compression surface), shoulders (positioning determines the choking angle)
Force Vector — Bilateral compression (chokes compress from two sides) or rotational/extension (cranks apply torsion or hyperextension)
Submission Mechanic — The specific grip, arm positioning, and body alignment create the unique compression geometry of this variation

Position & Entry

From back control — Establish back control, then transition to this specific choke/crank variation
From front headlock — Secure the front headlock, then apply this specific choke configuration
From the parent position — Enter through the position described in the parent genus/species

Variants

This is a specific variation — see parent genus/species for alternative variations

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

8
Very High8/10

Chokes and neck cranks carry significant risk; blood chokes cause unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds; neck cranks can cause cervical spine damage; always tap early

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate
Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF
Legal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF
— shime-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF
— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF
— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF
— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓Apply slowly in training — chokes and cranks can cause injury if applied explosively
✓Tap early when caught — blood chokes cause unconsciousness rapidly; neck cranks can damage the cervical spine
✓Drill the specific grip and positioning until automatic
✓Chain with alternative choke variations when this one is defended

Common Mistakes

!Applying too fast — gradual application is safer and often more effective
!Wrong grip positioning — the specific grip variation defines this technique; incorrect grip = different technique
!Not controlling posture before applying
!Holding after the tap — release immediately

Related Techniques

Counter Techniques

Setup Chain

1Establish Control Position
2Secure the Specific Grip
3Position the Choking Surface
4Apply Compression
5Finish

Sources & References

Primary Source

Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)

1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)

Description sources — [1] Choking/cranking technique curriculum [2] Competition analysis

2BookMastering 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

4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)

Description sources — [1] Choking/cranking technique curriculum [2] Competition analysis

5CitationMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)

Community

Athletics

Requires

grip strength, arm positioning precision, back control ability

Key muscles

forearms (squeeze), biceps (compression), shoulders (positioning)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Gable Grip work?

The Gable Grip finishing variation uses a palm-to-palm grip (no thumbs interlocked) to secure the short choke — the strongest clasp grip available, named after wrestling legend Dan Gable. The Gable grip prevents the hands from being stripped because there are no fingers to peel.

Where does the Gable Grip come from?

This variation developed within the broader choking/cranking system of its parent technique family.

Is the Gable Grip legal in competition?

IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal

How dangerous is the Gable Grip?

Danger rating 8/10. High — chokes and neck cranks carry significant risk; blood chokes cause unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds; neck cranks can cause cervical spine damage; always tap early

How do I set up the Gable Grip?

The standard setup chain: Establish Control Position → Secure the Specific Grip → Position the Choking Surface → Apply Compression → Finish.

How do I defend against the Gable Grip?

Standard counters include: Hand fighting — stripping the grip before the choke is set / Chin tuck — protecting the throat / Posture — creating distance to prevent the choke / Turning — turning to face the attacker.

What are the variants of the Gable Grip?

Common variants: This is a specific variation (see parent genus/species for alternative variations).

How effective is the Gable Grip in competition?

Used in BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Gable Grip?

Top errors to watch for: Applying too fast — gradual application is safer and often more effective / Wrong grip positioning — the specific grip variation defines this technique; incorrect grip = different technique / Not controlling posture before applying / Holding after the tap — release immediately.

What are other names for the Gable Grip?

The Gable Grip is also known as Gēburu Gurippu, Gable Grip Finish, Palm-to-Palm No Thumbs, Greco Grip.

gable grippalm to palmshort chokegrip variationdan gablestrongest gripno thumbs