Advanced Grip Fighting in BJJ

The Strategic Importance of Grip Control

Most beginners think of grips as just a way to hold onto your opponent. Advanced grapplers understand grip fighting as the foundational battle that determines positional success. Whoever controls the grips controls the match — they dictate distance, limit options, and enable their offense while strangling the opponent's.

Dominant Grip Hierarchies

Collar (lapel) grips: The most powerful in gi. Control one lapel and your opponent must react to you. Lapel grips enable chokes, sweeps, and guard attacks.

Sleeve grips: Control arm position and prevent posture. Break sleeve grips by rotating the arm toward the thumb (the weak point).

Bicep grips: Prevent collar grips and limit arm mobility. Common in spider guard and collar-sleeve.

Wrist grips: Most directly control hand position. Wrist grips prevent grip establishment and limit offensive options.

Grip Exchanges and Battles

Grip fighting is sequential: rip off sleeve grip → opponent establishes collar grip → you attack the collar grip → back to neutral. Master grip exchanges by knowing which grips counter which. Anticipate your opponent's grip priority and prevent it before they establish it.

Grip Combinations

Advanced grapplers chain multiple grips. Establish a collar grip, then work toward an underhook as your opponent defends. Switch from sleeve control to a wrist grip. Stack grips — having two grips on the same limb makes it nearly impossible to escape.

No-Gi Grip Fighting

Without gi fabric, grips are based on limb control and positioning. Collar ties, overhooks, underhooks, and wrist control become primary. Grip strength matters more in no-gi — train grip-heavy drills (10-finger, double-wrist) to build grip endurance.

Grip Breaking Under Pressure

Breaking grips when your opponent has already established pressure is the most difficult scenario. Use hip movement and frame to create space, then rip grips decisively. Sometimes allowing your opponent a "softer" grip (like a sleeve grip) while preventing a dangerous one (collar grip) is the correct trade.

Training Grip Fighting

Dedicate specific drilling time to grip exchanges. Start standing or seated, both players establish neutral grips, then drill grip dominance and breaking. This isolated work prevents bad habits from forming and builds grip-specific patterns.