Use the "CLAW" to Attack from the Back!
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Jiu-Claw·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
In this video I breakdown a "Claw" attack you can use from the back when your opponent starts to slide out from your con…
Jiu-Claw
SubFamilyジュウ・クロー(Jū Kurō)
TransliterationTranslation: Jiu-Claw — a portmanteau of 'jiu-jitsu' and 'claw', referencing the claw-like hand grip applied to the opponent's face from the rubber guard, combining a face crank with neck submission potential
Overview
The Jiu-Claw is a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu submission from rubber guard where the attacker grips the opponent's face with an open-hand claw grip while the legs control posture, creating a combination face crank and neck submission that attacks the cervical spine through lateral and rotational forces applied via the jaw. [1] The technique is entered through the 'Kung Fu Move' sequence: from Mission Control (the foundational rubber guard position), the attacker threads one arm over the opponent's trapped arm and reaches for the face, gripping the chin and jaw with an open-hand claw — the fingers wrap around one side of the jaw while the thumb presses on the opposite side or above the nose. [1] Once the claw grip is established, the attacker uses the grip to rotate and laterally flex the opponent's neck by pulling the face toward the attacker's chest while the legs maintain the rubber guard posture control — the cervical spine is compressed and rotated beyond its comfortable range, creating intense pain and submission pressure. [1] The Jiu-Claw occupies an unusual position in grappling taxonomy: it is not a choke (no airway or blood vessel compression), not a standard joint lock (no single joint is isolated and hyperextended), and not a muscle compression — it is a CRANK, specifically a neck/spine crank that attacks the cervical vertebrae through the lever of the jaw. [1] Eddie Bravo included the Jiu-Claw in the Mastering the Rubber Guard system as an alternative finish when the opponent successfully defends the triangle, armbar, and Go-Go Plata from the Zombie position — the Jiu-Claw provides a fourth attack vector that requires no leg repositioning, only the hand grip on the face. [1] The technique is controversial in some grappling communities because face cranks are considered 'dirty' or unsportsmanlike — however, under most competitive rulesets (ADCC, EBI, Unified MMA), the Jiu-Claw is fully legal. [1] In IBJJF competition, face cranks without a choking component may be illegal depending on the referee's interpretation. [1]
Jiu ClawClaw SubmissionFace CrankRubber Guard ClawKung Fu Move to Jiu-ClawCN
History & Origin
The Jiu-Claw was developed by Eddie Bravo as part of the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu rubber guard submission system, providing a fourth attack vector from the Zombie position after the triangle, armbar, and Go-Go Plata. [1] The technique was documented in Mastering the Rubber Guard (2006) as part of the 'Kung Fu Move' sequence — the name 'Kung Fu Move' references the threading arm motion that Eddie Bravo likened to a martial arts movie hand movement. [1] The Jiu-Claw represents Bravo's pragmatic approach to grappling: while face cranks are considered unsportsmanlike in some traditional BJJ schools, Bravo argued that any legal technique that creates submission pressure should be part of a comprehensive system, and that refusing to use legal techniques in competition is a competitive disadvantage. [1] The technique has been controversial in the grappling community, with some practitioners and organisations (particularly IBJJF) viewing face cranks negatively, while others (ADCC, EBI) fully embrace them as legitimate submissions. [1]
Effectiveness
The Jiu-Claw's effectiveness is primarily as a supplementary attack in the rubber guard submission chain: after the triangle, armbar, and Go-Go Plata have been attempted and defended, the Jiu-Claw provides a FOURTH vector that the opponent may not have the energy or defensive resources to handle. [1] The cumulative effect of defending three submissions followed by a face crank often produces a tap that no individual technique could achieve alone. [1] In MMA, the Jiu-Claw has additional effectiveness because the discomfort of a gloved hand cranking the jaw is more intense than a bare hand, and the ground-and-pound environment means the opponent is already dealing with strikes in addition to the submission threats. [1] The technique's main limitation is its controversial status in some competitions (IBJJF) and the difficulty of applying it cleanly without approaching illegal techniques (eye gouging). [1]
Lineage
Eddie Bravo → 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu rubber guard system → Jiu-Claw documented in Mastering the Rubber Guard (2006) → fourth attack in the Zombie submission chain. [1]
Competition Record
Used in EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) and ADCC competition. The Jiu-Claw has produced taps in professional no-gi competition when used as part of the full rubber guard submission chain. In MMA, face cranks from guard (functionally similar to the Jiu-Claw) have been used by multiple fighters in UFC competition. Controversial in IBJJF competition where referee interpretation varies.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Open-hand claw grip on the opponent's face (jaw and chin) from rubber guard, used to rotate and laterally flex the cervical spine beyond its comfortable range of motion
Joints Involved — Attacker's hand (fingers wrap around the jaw, thumb presses on the opposite facial surface — creating a vice-like grip on the mandible), attacker's forearm (flexion to pull the face toward the body), attacker's shoulder (adduction to maintain the grip close to the chest); Opponent's cervical spine (rotation and lateral flexion under the crank force), opponent's temporomandibular joints (compression from the jaw grip)
Force Vector — Rotational and lateral — the claw grip rotates the opponent's head (twisting the cervical spine) while simultaneously pulling it laterally toward the attacker's chest (lateral flexion of the cervical spine). The combination of rotation + lateral flexion creates compound stress on the cervical vertebrae and their supporting ligaments.
Leverage Principle — The jaw acts as a lever arm for the cervical spine: the distance from the chin to the cervical vertebrae (approximately 4-6 inches) provides a mechanical advantage for rotating the head — a moderate force applied to the chin translates into significant rotational torque on the cervical spine. The rubber guard's leg control prevents the opponent from turning their body to relieve the cervical stress, meaning all the rotational force is concentrated on the neck joints.
Position & Entry
From Zombie via the Kung Fu Move — Establish the Zombie position (rubber guard with overhook) → thread the overhook arm over the opponent's trapped arm → reach for the opponent's face → establish the claw grip on the jaw → pull the face toward the chest while maintaining rubber guard leg control
After failed triangle from rubber guard — If the triangle choke fails because the opponent defends the neck compression, maintain the rubber guard and switch to the Jiu-Claw — the hand reaches for the face while the legs maintain posture control
After failed Go-Go Plata — If the Go-Go Plata is defended (opponent pulls the shin off their throat), the attacking hand that was pulling the head can immediately convert to a Jiu-Claw grip on the face
As a setup for other submissions — The Jiu-Claw's face grip creates intense discomfort that forces the opponent to move defensively — these defensive movements often open up the triangle, armbar, or Go-Go Plata that was previously defended
Variants
Standard Jiu-Claw — claw grip on the face from rubber guard, pulling toward the chest
Deep Jiu-Claw — the hand reaches further across the face for a deeper grip, increasing the rotational torque
Jiu-Claw to Go-Go Plata — using the claw grip to pull the head into position for a Go-Go Plata
Jiu-Claw to triangle — using the discomfort of the claw to force the opponent to move their arm, opening the triangle
Two-hand Jiu-Claw — momentarily using both hands on the face for maximum crank force (sacrificing the rubber guard arm control)
Videos
BJJ Triangle Choke: Gi Jiu Jitsu Rubber Guard Submission presented by Self Defined Fitness
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Jiu-Claw·Self Defined
Jiu Jitsu submission from the 93 Guard position, Triangle choke and an Omaplata variation presented by Self Defined Fitn…
19 Submissions/Transitions From Closed Guard You've Probably Never Seen Before - BJJ Techniques
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Jiu-Claw·Ben Eddy Bravo
Ben Eddy of 10th Planet San Francisco and Kevin Berbrich of 10th Planet Vista showing some little known closed guard sub…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Jiu-Claw is a back-control grip adapted from wrestling that combines an under-arm hook with a trapezius grip to maintain dominant positioning when standard seatbelt control breaks down. According to TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian, the claw grip functions as a structural control point when an opponent achieves double-under arm positioning through scrambling or deliberate maneuvering. The grip is executed by threading one arm under the opponent's arm and across their neck, then establishing a firm grip on the trapezius muscle. This positioning prevents the opponent from moving their shoulder upward (moving "north") and creates a mechanical block that resists arm-over-head escapes—a vulnerability that arises when the top player loses the seatbelt configuration. Coach Brian emphasizes the claw's utility in conjunction with leg control: when paired with inside leg weaving or butterfly hooks, it immobilizes the opponent and prevents rotation or bridging attempts. From this control, Coach Brian demonstrates multiple finishing pathways: the practitioner can re-establish back control by kicking out bridges and repositioning, transition to an arm triangle by moving into mount position, or attack the ankle-exposed leg with a triangle choke. The claw grip's wrestling origins provide particular value in jiu-jitsu back control scenarios where the opponent actively defends against traditional choke entries by escaping to bottom position.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian — Use the "CLAW" to Attack from the Back!: Comprehensive breakdown of claw grip mechanics, positioning relative to leg control, bridge-breaking details, transitions to arm triangle and triangle choke, and drilling methodology
- Ben Eddy Bravo — 19 Submissions/Transitions From Closed Guard You've Probably Never Seen Before - BJJ Techniques: Transcript unavailable; no substantive content on claw grip provided
- Self Defined — BJJ Triangle Choke: Gi Jiu Jitsu Rubber Guard Submission presented by Self Defined Fitness: Transcript focuses on 9-3 guard triangle mechanics and upside-down guard transitions; does not address claw grip technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
The Jiu-Claw attacks the cervical spine through rotational and lateral flexion forces, which can cause: cervical ligament sprains, vertebral disc compression, facet joint irritation, and — in extreme cases — cervical subluxation. The face grip also causes significant discomfort to the jaw (temporomandibular joint compression) and the facial skin (the claw grip on the face can cause scratches and bruising). The technique must be applied with control in training — cervical spine injuries can be serious and long-lasting. [1]
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Expert
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— 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 RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The claw grip must be FIRM but CONTROLLED — in training, the grip should create submission pressure through cervical rotation, not through digging into the eyes or tearing at the face. The submission is a NECK CRANK, not a face mauling (Bravo, 2006). [1] The Kung Fu Move entry must be drilled until the arm-thread-to-face-grip is smooth: from the Zombie position, the attacking arm must navigate over the opponent's trapped arm, reach the face, and establish the claw in one continuous motion. Stopping between steps allows the opponent to defend. [1] The rubber guard LEGS do the heavy lifting: the claw grip directs the force, but the legs maintain the posture control that prevents the opponent from turning their body to relieve the cervical stress. Without the leg control, the opponent simply turns and the crank dissipates. [1] Train the Jiu-Claw as part of the four-way submission chain from Zombie: triangle → armbar → Go-Go Plata → Jiu-Claw → back to triangle. Each submission's defence creates the opening for the next. [1] SAFETY NOTE: neck cranks must be applied slowly in training, and training partners must TAP EARLY — cervical spine injuries develop gradually and can reach the point of injury before the opponent feels sharp pain. Communicate constantly during Jiu-Claw drilling. [1] In MMA, the Jiu-Claw is even more effective because gloves provide additional friction on the face, and the discomfort of having a gloved hand cranking the jaw motivates faster tapping. [1]
Common Mistakes
!Attacking the eyes — the Jiu-Claw is a NECK CRANK via the jaw, NOT an eye gouge. Directing the fingers toward the eyes is both illegal and unsportsmanlike. The fingers grip the JAW, not the orbital area.
!Weak rubber guard maintenance — if the legs lose their posture-breaking control, the opponent turns their body and the crank disappears. Maintain active rubber guard throughout.
!Rushing the grip — reaching for the face before establishing the proper position (Kung Fu Move entry) results in a sloppy, weak grip that the opponent can strip
!Not pulling toward the chest — the crank force comes from pulling the face toward the attacker's chest (not from squeezing the face). The pulling motion creates the cervical rotation and lateral flexion.
!Ignoring the opponent's tap — neck cranks can cause injury quickly; ALWAYS respect the tap immediately, even in competition
!Using the Jiu-Claw as a primary attack — the Jiu-Claw works best as a secondary or tertiary attack after the triangle, armbar, and Go-Go Plata have been attempted; leading with the face crank is less effective because the opponent hasn't been worn down by the previous submission attempts
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck the chin — tucking the chin against the chest prevents the claw from getting under the jawTurn the face — turning the face away from the gripping hand reduces the rotational leverage on the cervical spineStrip the grip — using both hands to peel the claw grip off the face (this opens other submissions from rubber guard, but removes the immediate crank threat)Posture up — breaking the rubber guard's posture control removes the leg-based anchor that makes the Jiu-Claw effectiveTurn the body — rotating the entire body in the direction of the crank relieves the cervical stress (but may open other submissions)
Setup Chain
1Closed guard → Break posture → Establish Mission Control (rubber guard) → Transition to Zombie (overhook + leg across shoulder/neck) → Attempt triangle → defended → Attempt armbar → defended → Attempt Go-Go Plata → defended → Kung Fu Move: thread the arm over the opponent's trapped arm → Reach for the opponent's face → Establish the claw grip on the jaw → Pull the face toward the chest → Cervical spine rotation + lateral flexion → Opponent taps from neck crank
2If Jiu-Claw is defended → return to triangle attempt (the defensive movement against the claw often opens the triangle)
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006)
1Book[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing. Kung Fu Move to Jiu-Claw section.pp. Bravo 2006, Kung Fu Move to Jiu-Claw section (pp. 164-166 approximately)
description: [1] Bravo 2006 Jiu-Claw section
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] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing. Kung Fu Move to Jiu-Claw section.pp. Bravo 2006, Kung Fu Move to Jiu-Claw section (pp. 164-166 approximately)
description: [1] Bravo 2006 Jiu-Claw section
Community
Athletics
Requires all the hip flexibility needed for rubber guard (the controlling legs must maintain posture-breaking control throughout)
Strong grip for the claw on the face
Forearm strength for the pulling motion
Arm dexterity for the Kung Fu Move threading entry
Ability to maintain composure while applying an uncomfortable technique (the Jiu-Claw can feel 'dirty' to some practitioners, requiring mental comfort with face-gripping techniques)
Notes
The Jiu-Claw is a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu grip/control position — part of the rubber guard advanced system. Used to control the opponent's posture from bottom position. (Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard, 2006)
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I keep my grip through the triangle versus switching to a second arm?
According to Self Defined, if you feel a lot of pressure from your opponent, keep your initial grip through the triangle to control their chin. If you're not feeling much pressure, graduate to a second arm for better control.
How do I use the claw grip when both my arms end up under my opponent's armpits?
Coach Brian (TeachMeGrappling) explains that when you have both arms under the armpits instead of a classic seat belt position, you can transition to the claw grip and use a vine grip for control instead of going directly to mount.
What's the key to stopping my opponent from retaking the back when I have the claw in position?
Coach Brian emphasizes keeping your head tight when applying the claw—this makes it very difficult for your opponent to maneuver out and retake the back.
How do I escape the claw grip if my opponent has it on me from the back?
If caught in the claw, bridge and push up to create space; your opponent will then need to decide whether to maintain their grip or transition to the claw grip itself.
How does the Jiu-Claw work?
The Jiu-Claw is a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu submission from rubber guard where the attacker grips the opponent's face with an open-hand claw grip while the legs control posture, creating a combination face crank and neck submission that attacks the cervical spine through lateral and rotational forces applied via the jaw. The technique is entered through the 'Kung Fu Move' sequence: from Mission Control (the foundational rubber guard position), the attacker threads one arm over the opponent's trapped arm and reaches for the face, gripping the chin and jaw with an open-hand claw — the fingers wrap around one side of the jaw while the thumb presses on the opposite side or above the nose.
Where does the Jiu-Claw come from?
The Jiu-Claw was developed by Eddie Bravo as part of the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu rubber guard submission system, providing a fourth attack vector from the Zombie position after the triangle, armbar, and Go-Go Plata. The technique was documented in Mastering the Rubber Guard (2006) as part of the 'Kung Fu Move' sequence — the name 'Kung Fu Move' references the threading arm motion that Eddie Bravo likened to a martial arts movie hand movement.
Is the Jiu-Claw 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 Jiu-Claw?
Danger rating 7/10. The Jiu-Claw attacks the cervical spine through rotational and lateral flexion forces, which can cause: cervical ligament sprains, vertebral disc compression, facet joint irritation, and — in extreme cases — cervical subluxation. The face grip also causes significant discomfort to the jaw (temporomandibular joint compression) and the facial skin (the claw grip on the face can cause scratches and bruising). The technique must be applied with control in training — cervical spine injuries can be serious and long-lasting.
How do I set up the Jiu-Claw?
The standard setup chain: Closed guard → Break posture → Establish Mission Control (rubber guard) → Transition to Zombie (overhook + leg across shoulder/neck) → Attempt triangle → defended → Attempt armbar → defended → Attempt Go-Go Plata → defended → Kung Fu Move: thread the arm over the opponent's trapped arm → Reach for the opponent's face → Establish the claw grip on the jaw → Pull the face toward the chest → Cervical spine rotation + lateral flexion → Opponent taps from neck crank → If Jiu-Claw is defended → return to triangle attempt (the defensive movement against the claw often opens the triangle).
How do I defend against the Jiu-Claw?
Standard counters include: Tuck the chin — tucking the chin against the chest prevents the claw from getting under the jaw / Turn the face — turning the face away from the gripping hand reduces the rotational leverage on the cervical spine / Strip the grip — using both hands to peel the claw grip off the face (this opens other submissions from rubber guard,… / Posture up — breaking the rubber guard's posture control removes the leg-based anchor that makes the Jiu-Claw effective.
What are the variants of the Jiu-Claw?
Common variants: Standard Jiu-Claw (claw grip on the face from rubber guard, pulling toward t…); Deep Jiu-Claw (the hand reaches further across the face for a deeper gri…); Jiu-Claw to Go-Go Plata (using the claw grip to pull the head into position for a …); Jiu-Claw to triangle (using the discomfort of the claw to force the opponent to…); Two-hand Jiu-Claw (momentarily using both hands on the face for maximum cran…).
How effective is the Jiu-Claw in competition?
Used in EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) and ADCC competition. The Jiu-Claw has produced taps in professional no-gi competition when used as part of the full rubber guard submission chain.
What are common mistakes when doing the Jiu-Claw?
Top errors to watch for: Attacking the eyes — the Jiu-Claw is a NECK CRANK via the jaw, NOT an eye gouge. Directing the fingers toward the eye… / Weak rubber guard maintenance — if the legs lose their posture-breaking control, the opponent turns their body and th… / Rushing the grip — reaching for the face before establishing the proper position (Kung Fu Move entry) results in a sl… / Not pulling toward the chest — the crank force comes from pulling the face toward the attacker's chest (not from sque….
What are other names for the Jiu-Claw?
The Jiu-Claw is also known as Jū Kurō, Jiu Claw, Claw Submission, Face Crank, Rubber Guard Claw.