The Gable Grip

By Fanatics Authors, June 12, 2019

There are a few common hand-to-hand grips in Jiu Jitsu that mostly originate from wrestling grips.

The gable grip might be the most frequently seen. This grip is achieved by locking the palms of your hands together, like you would catch a firefly as a kid during the summer. Thumbs out! Situating your hands into this particular position gives you a strength advantage, over hooking your thumbs inside the grip.

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The thumb can hinder your rotation and arm range of motion. Try touching your elbows together with your thumbs out, and feel the difference if you try again with your thumbs over your hands instead. Which one is easier? This small change can make a huge difference in various choke hold finishes and allows for a higher level of control.The other reason leaving the thumbs out, in line with your hands, is the ease of grip transition.

Flowing seamlessly into a different hold is much simpler if you don’t have to unhook your thumbs from over your hand, and can mean keeping direct pressure on your opponent rather than releasing to move your hands and allowing an escape. Obviously, in wrestling this is utilized without a gi, but in Jiu Jitsu and Judo it is a very versatile hand grip, being that you can use it in both gi and nogi grappling.

Since this particular grip doesn’t involve grabbing onto any fabric, whether it be a gi collar, pants or street clothes, it is most commonly seen during takedowns in a clinch situation and body locks. The gable grip can also be applied during submissions; it can be used for straight armlocks ( the violin) and multiple different chokes- the rear naked choke, the arm triangle (or kata gatame) choke, monson (north-south) choke and the japanese neck-tie choke.

You might have heard this particular grip called a few different names, such as the greco grip. The hand placement allows great control over distance management and enables you to apply pressure. Greco-roman wrestling is very grip focused, and much of the match is spent trying for different holds or attempting to break your opponents. Due to the fact that the gable grip is hard to break, and allows for such variety of maneuvers, earned the greco nickname. Second, you will also hear it referred to as “monkey grip” due to the appearance of your hands.

Now that we’ve covered the less commonly used names for this hand to hand grip, where did the most common “Gable grip” come from? Dan Gable is an American wrestler and wrestling coach. He is most famously known for his performance in the Munich 1972 Olympic games, in which he competed in six different wrestling matches without giving up a single point. His other accolades include being the third wrestler ever to be inducted into the Legend category in the United World Wrestling’s Hall of Fame.

He is a NCAA champion, a world gold medalist; he has coached hundreds of successful wrestlers both independently and as a team. His freestyle and folkstyle wrestling tactics allowed him to be proficient in distance management and precise grip game, eventually leading to the gable grip earning it’s no well-known moniker.

WHY IS THE GABLE GRIP SO STRONG?

Why is the Gable Grip so strong, you might wonder? Much like catching fireflies with your hands clasped together in the cool summer night, the strength of the Gable Grip lies in its simplistic yet effective design. The Gable Grip lets you lock your hands together without using your thumbs, which keeps them free and allows for a wider range of motion and higher degree of control. It gives you a formidable leverage advantage, facilitating a tight, unyielding hold that can bear the strain of forceful movements without slipping or coming undone. Not just strong, the Gable Grip is also versatile, making it an indispensable technique in your arsenal.

GABLE GRIP WRESTLING

When you think Gable Grip, think wrestling. Just as your childhood memories of chasing fireflies are inseparable from those warm summer nights, Gable Grip and wrestling are inextricably linked. The Gable Grip serves as the cornerstone of grappling in wrestling, often used in takedowns, clinches, and body locks. It provides an impeccable balance of control and fluidity, allowing you to maintain pressure while transitioning between different holds and maneuvers. It's like a dance, a delicate yet forceful dance, where the Gable Grip leads the way.

THE ORIGIN OF THE GABLE GRIP

Asking about the origin of the Gable Grip? Well, its story is as compelling as your tales of summer adventures catching fireflies. Named after the legendary wrestler Dan Gable, the grip came to prominence thanks to his relentless mastery and usage of it. Gable, known for his unrivaled performance in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, brought the grip into the spotlight, forever linking his name with this effective and versatile grip technique.

GABLE GRIP VS S GRIP

Comparing the Gable Grip and S Grip is like weighing the pros and cons of catching fireflies with a net versus your bare hands. The Gable Grip, with its no-thumbs-involved method, ensures a firm, unyielding hold, providing more security and leverage. The S Grip, on the other hand, uses the thumbs and can offer more length, which could be beneficial in certain situations. However, transitioning from one grip to another might be a bit trickier with the S Grip compared to the smooth-flowing Gable Grip. Each has its own unique attributes, and the choice often comes down to personal preference and situational requirements.

WHO INVENTED THE GABLE GRIP?

Ever wondered who invented the Gable Grip? Much like the magic of fireflies lighting up the summer nights, the Gable Grip owes its magic to Dan Gable, an American wrestling legend. Gable, famous for his victorious streak in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, incorporated the grip extensively into his techniques. While he did not necessarily invent the grip, his remarkable use and popularization of it led to the grip earning its well-known moniker, forever tying his name to this efficient, effective wrestling grip.