The Clinch
The clinch is a close-range grappling technique used in combat sports and martial arts, particularly in boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA. It typically involves wrapping one or both arms around the opponent's neck, head, or body to control their movement and prevent them from striking effectively. Clinching can also be used to set up takedowns, throws, or submissions.
Clinching is often used as a defensive tactic when an opponent is throwing punches or kicks, as it allows the fighter to neutralize the strikes and control the pace of the fight. In Muay Thai, the clinch is a fundamental part of the sport, and fighters use a variety of techniques offensively to control their opponent, such as knee strikes, elbow strikes, and sweeps.
The clinch is the gateway to better time and targets through:
Sweeping, throwing and off balancing your opponent.
Positional dominance: Both offensive and defensive.
Striking!
Weapon control and transition. Disarming and immobilization.
While clinching can be an effective technique in combat sports, it requires a great deal of skill and training to execute properly. Improper use of the clinch can result in penalties or disqualification in competition, and can also leave the fighter vulnerable to strikes or takedowns if executed incorrectly in a self defense situation. The clinch is practiced in class as a form of hubud from wrist, elbows, torso and neck in what is called pummeling.
