Entering the Clinch Becca Borawski

CrossFit Journal Article Reprint. First Published in CrossFit Journal Issue 70 - June 2008

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In boxing, when two fighters get in close to each other called the clinch or the “plum.” Wrestlers may refer to and lock up, the referee stops the fight and breaks them the position as a “double collar tie.” In mixed martial arts up. In other fighting arts, this position is actually a place it is often called the “Thai clinch.” where battle can be done. In Muay Thai the position is

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The scenario for this move is that you are exchanging strikes with an opponent, but want to get in and control him. The exact position involves controlling the opponent’s head, using weight and gravity against him, and landing strikes with the knees to the head and body.

In this article, Tait Fletcher, a veteran of the television show Ultimate Fighter, demonstrates getting in on the clinch off of a jab. To begin, Tait (with the shaved head) is facing off against Andy and throws a jab to Andy’s face (Photos 1 and 2).

While the opponent may be expecting a left jab, right straight combo, Tait is actually going to use his right hand Photo 2 to snake around the back of Andy’s neck. He clamps firmly down on the back of the neck and angles his elbow down and in toward the center of Andy’s body (Photos 3 and 4).

Tait then brings in his left hand. He is careful to weave it in on the inside of Andy’s arms, keeping tight to Andy’s head and making sure that both his elbows are now on the inside and angled in and downward. Keeping the hands clamped strongly and the elbows in tight creates a cinch on the head. If Andy tries to move forward on Tait, Tait can use his elbows pushing against Andy’s shoulders and collarbone to control him.

Making sure that his elbows are on the inside also protects Tait from any strikes that Andy might attempt to throw from the inside. If Tait does not keep tight Photo 3 and in control, it would be possible for Andy to throw uppercuts and possibly land strikes to Tait’s head. Andy will also be attempting to slide his own hands under Tait’s elbows and behind Tait’s neck to attain the dominant position in the clinch.

Both of Tait’s hands are on the back of Andy’s head, not on the back of his neck, because that would allow him to still rear his head up and try to lean up and backward. Tait has better leverage and control if he places his hands on the back of the head and pulls downward. It is also to Tait’s advantage if he can keep his hips higher up and be taller than Andy. Then he can use his weight to press down and exert control (Photos 5 and 6).

Tait then launches his first offense, a knee to Andy’s head. Photo 4 Tait is first going to pull Andy’s head toward him and put

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Photo 5 Photo 6

Photo 7 Photo 8 his left leg back. He is opening his hip up in preparation to snap it forward and shut. As Tait brings his knee forward to strike, he is at the same time pulling Andy’s head down Becca Borawski, CSCS, teaches and trains at into his knee. Tait could also throw knees to Andy’s body Petranek Fitness/CrossFit Los Angeles in Santa WEB Monica. She has a master’s degree in film from the from this position (Photos 7 and 8). University of Southern California and a background in martial arts training. She has blended these skills When practiced in the sport of mixed martial arts, the to produce DVDs and build websites for professional clinch can be a brutal position. From there not only can fighters. She currently trains Brazilian jiu-jitsu with you throw knees to the head and the body but, upon Rey Diogo, a Carlson Gracie affiliate. exiting and entering the clinch, you can throw elbows and punches as well. For an example of someone who throws knees in the clinch with precision and force, watch the fights of current UFC champion Anderson Silva. If you want to see excellent examples of the use of Tait Fletcher trains MMA with Greg Jackson in elbows in the clinch, MMA fighter Kenny Florian is one New Mexico and is a veteran of the Ultimate Fighter to watch. And for the variations that a Greco-Roman television show. He has been training in mixed martial wrestler brings to clinch fighting, check out the fights of arts for approximately eight years, earning his brown Randy Couture. belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from Eddie Bravo. F

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