• No categories
  • Foot Position:
    Start in your Muay Thai stance. If you are orthodox, your left foot is forward, and if you are a southpaw, your right foot is forward. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart, with weight evenly distributed on the balls of your feet to allow quick movement.
  • Knees and Hips:
    Keep your knees slightly bent to remain balanced and mobile. Hips should be relaxed and aligned with your center of gravity to ensure fluidity in movement.
  • Hands/Guard:
    Keep your lead hand near your chin to protect your face. The rear hand should be up and near your head, ready to guard against strikes or to transition into clinch work. Elbows should be slightly bent and tucked in to protect the ribs and to prepare for clinch control.

  • Positioning:
    The Double Head Grab Clinch is typically used when you are in close range with your opponent. You want to close the distance by either stepping in after a series of strikes, a parry, or slipping a punch.
  • Timing:
    The key to the Double Head Grab is timing. As your opponent throws a strike, particularly a punch or kick, or even when they’re coming forward, you need to time your entry well, so you can grab both sides of their head without getting hit.

  • Step 1 – Closing the Distance:
    To initiate the Double Head Grab, you first need to close the distance between you and your opponent. This is usually done by stepping forward after a strike or slip, or by using footwork to close the gap after evading a punch or kick. Make sure you’re not stepping in too early and leaving yourself vulnerable.
  • Step 2 – Hands Moving to the Head:
    Once you’re within range, both of your hands will shoot up toward the opponent’s head, aiming to grab both sides of the head at the same time. Your lead hand grabs the opponent’s head on the left side, and your rear hand grabs the right side of their head. Your fingers should wrap around their neck or the back of their head, with your palms resting against the sides of their head.
  • Step 3 – Securing the Head:
    Once you have both hands on their head, you should pull their head into your chest by using your arms to grip and draw them in. At this point, keep your elbows tight to your body to maintain control and prevent the opponent from escaping. The head should be firmly controlled to limit their movement.

  • Step 1 – Establishing Head Control:
    Once you have both sides of the opponent’s head, you need to control their posture. Pull their head toward your body while keeping a strong, tight grip. This will force them to lean forward or bend their neck, limiting their ability to strike or counter.
  • Step 2 – Use of Hips and Body Weight:
    To maintain control and avoid being swept or thrown, it’s important to use your hips and body weight to stay strong in the clinch. Keep your hips close to theirs, using your body to push against them and maintain control. Keep your core engaged to prevent yourself from being easily moved.
  • Step 3 – Knees:
    After securing head control, you can begin throwing knees to the opponent’s body or head. Keep your knees tight to your body and use your hips to drive them into your opponent’s midsection or head. The knees should be thrown explosively while maintaining control of their head, which prevents them from escaping or countering effectively.

  • Step 1 – Closing the Distance with Footwork:
    When you initiate the clinch, step in aggressively to close the distance. As you grab the head, ensure your feet stay active. You may need to adjust your positioning slightly to keep your balance, particularly if the opponent tries to move.
  • Step 2 – Preventing Movement from the Opponent:
    In a clinch, the opponent may try to move or throw a knee. Staying close to their body helps prevent them from escaping or creating space to counter. If they try to move backward, keep your grip strong, pulling them forward into your knees. If they try to move sideways, adjust your feet to maintain control.

  • Step 1 – Knees to the Body and Head:
    The primary offensive weapon from the Double Head Grab clinch is the knee strike. Drive your knees into your opponent’s body or head, using the clinch to control their head and prevent them from escaping. The knees should be quick and targeted to the body, ribs, or head, depending on your positioning.
  • Step 2 – Elbow Strikes:
    If you’re close enough, you can also throw elbows after gaining control of the head. Use horizontal, upward, or downward elbows, depending on the angle and positioning, to strike the opponent’s face or neck while keeping the head secure.
  • Step 3 – Sweeps and Trips:
    If you have control over their head and are in close range, you can also attempt a sweep or trip. Sweep their standing leg or push their upper body in one direction while pulling their head in the opposite direction to destabilize them and force them to the ground.

  • Hands and Guard:
    Even though you’re controlling the opponent’s head, you must keep your hands up to defend against any strikes, particularly elbows or knees. Always be aware of your opponent’s posture and be prepared to block or parry any attack.
  • Head Movement:
    While you’re controlling their head, keep your head off-center to avoid any potential strikes from the opponent’s knees or elbows. If they try to throw a knee to your face, a slight head movement can help you avoid the strike while maintaining control.
  • Avoiding Balance Loss:
    Keep your core tight and your body weight low to prevent yourself from losing balance, especially if the opponent tries to sweep or push you. By staying strong and rooted, you’ll be able to maintain control of the clinch and avoid being thrown or taken down.

  • Step 1 – Transitioning to a Different Clinch Position:
    If your opponent tries to escape or you’re unable to land a clean strike, you can transition to a different clinch position, like the single collar clinch, where one hand is controlling the back of the head while the other controls the opponent’s body.
  • Step 2 – Resetting After the Clinch:
    If the clinch is broken or if your opponent escapes, immediately reset to your stance. Be ready to defend or counterattack with strikes, or look for a new opportunity to enter the clinch again.
  • Step 3 – Follow-Up Strikes:
    After landing a knee or elbow, you can continue your combination with more strikes (such as punches or kicks) before resetting your position or looking to enter a clinch again.

  • Weak Head Control:
    Avoid being too gentle when grabbing the opponent’s head. If your grip is weak, they can easily escape or strike you with knees or elbows. Ensure you apply strong control, pulling their head into your body while keeping your elbows tight.
  • Overextending in the Clinch:
    Don’t overextend your arms while attempting the head grab. This can expose your upper body to counterattacks, such as elbows or knees. Keep your elbows tucked in and maintain close control over their head.
  • Not Using the Hips for Knees:
    When throwing knees, many beginners focus too much on the arms and forget to use their hips for power. Ensure that you’re driving your knees with your hips for more powerful strikes.

  • Faking the Clinch:
    At an advanced level, you can fake the Double Head Grab clinch to bait your opponent into thinking you’re going for a clinch, only to counter with a strike such as a elbow or knee. This is useful for creating openings in your opponent’s defense.
  • Double Head Grab into Takedown:
    After securing the clinch, you can transition into a takedown by sweeping the opponent’s leg or using body control to throw them to the ground.
  • Knee and Elbow Combinations:
    Once you have control, instead of just throwing single knees, try to string together knee strikes to the body and head followed by elbows for a continuous barrage. This can overwhelm your opponent and break their posture.

The Double Head Grab Clinch is one of the most