BJJ Query - Grip/Finger placement

[popupsoldier]

Dear members,

Does anyone with experience with Brasilian Jiu Jitsu know the rationale behind why the grip on an opponent's arm/wrist etc is always done with all five fingers on one side of the wrist/arm ?

For instance a person who is applying a figure-four lock will be grasping the opponent's wrist with all five fingers on the outside (ie the standard 'grab' would be four fingers on one side, the thumb on the other to support the grip).

:D

[47th ronin]

Weakest point of your grip is your thumb, too easy to roll out of a grip with "standard" grip. Think of basic judo/ju jitsu escapes from wrist grabs, most work against the thumb.

[Grosch]

It is a soft movement, if you grap onto someones arm, they sometimes know what is coming, and tense up or counter. By laying your hand on there wrist, they don't know that you are up to something.

[hydestewart]

Not gripping with the thumb can alsoi protect it from injury in certain techniques.

Stewart Hyde

[John Bennett]

Originally posted by popupsoldier
Does anyone with experience with Brasilian Jiu Jitsu know the rationale behind why the grip on an opponent's arm/wrist etc is always done with all five fingers on one side of the wrist/arm ?

The grip is not always done that way. The proper grip varies by technique.

Examples:

Ude garami from mount (americana) - use 5-finger or "clam hand" grip. Rational: it's stronger. More difficult for the guy to straighten out his arm.

Ude garami(?) from guard (Kimura) - use 4-finger grip. Rational: the guy has a wider range of movement and you need better wrist control.